“We must remain hopeful that Minerva’s sacrifice is a turning point in the quest for solutions.”
Minerva Pérez Castro, a prominent leader in Mexico’s seafood industry, was murdered on 8 July in Ensenada, a key hub for the industry in Baja California. Castro was known for her outspoken criticism of the intrusion of organized crime into the fishing sector, including the extortion of producers by drug cartels. Despite her efforts to bring attention to these issues, her fearlessness likely contributed to her death.
Castro’s career began in a tuna and sardine processing plant, and she eventually became the first female president of the National Chamber of the Fishing Industry’s Baja California chapter. She also held a vice presidency at the Mexican Council of Promotion of Seafood Consumption. In these roles, she advocated for transparency and accountability in the industry, particularly in response to the threat posed by cartels.
Following her death, there have been calls for the Mexican government and the U.S. seafood industry to take action, with a focus on enhancing transparency and due diligence in the supply chain. However, challenges remain, including pervasive illegal fishing and extortion in Mexico. Despite doubts that her murder will be solved, Castro’s colleagues hope her legacy will inspire further efforts to protect the seafood industry in Mexico.