Mexico Tightens Fishing Limits to Protect Marine Populations

Mexico will introduce new closed seasons and regulated harvesting periods for several marine and freshwater species beginning in December 2025, as federal authorities move to strengthen long-term fisheries sustainability. The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA), in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SEDRAE), announced the measures following technical assessments aimed at protecting reproductive cycles and supporting species recovery.

The regulations capply across eight states and establish specific legal capture windows. CONAPESCA said the objective is to safeguard species sustainability and the future of the fishing sector, noting that the measures respond to decades of ecological pressure on coastal and inland ecosystems.

Harvesting for pen shell (Pinna rugosa, Atrina oldroydii, Atrina maura, Atrina tuberculosa) will be permitted in Bahía de Kino, Sonora, from December 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Queen conch (Lobatus gigas) may be captured in Banco Chinchorro, Quintana Roo, between December 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026. In Baja California, the season for the two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculatus) will remain open through July 2026 and for Octopus hubbsorum through August 2026. The bobo mullet (Joturus spp.) may be harvested in the inland waters of Veracruz from Dec. 16, 2025, to Sep. 30, 2026.

A closed season for the Catarina scallop (Argopecten circularis) will apply in Baja California and Baja California Sur from Dec. 15, 2025, to March 31, 2026. Striped and white mullet (Mugil cephalus and Mugil curema) will face a full-month ban in Tamaulipas and northern Veracruz during December 2025. A broader veda for Mugil cephalus will extend along the coasts of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Jalisco from Dec. 1, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026.

Authorities stressed that these seasonal restrictions aim to stabilize fish populations and avert long-term declines caused by overexploitation. To support compliance, CONAPESCA activated a 24/7 national hotline for reporting illegal fishing and underscored the importance of community involvement in resource protection. Officials said coordinated monitoring and public reporting will be essential as coastal communities adjust to the revised fishing calendar.

The new measures align with broader efforts by state governments to improve the health and resilience of Mexico’s coastal ecosystems. In July, Sinaloa introduced the country’s first State Climate Action Plan for Fisheries and Aquaculture, which outlines initiatives to enhance resilience and promote sustainable practices. A central component of the plan is the adoption of flexible closed seasons to support adaptive co-management of at-risk species.