Courtesy of SeafoodNews.com:
Authorities of Mexico and the United States held a bilateral meeting in Washington, DC, to present the “Plan of actions of awareness of the interaction of sea turtles with fishing gear used in small boats”, with the preventive objective of ensuring their care and protection, as well as continue to promote sustainability in fisheries and maintain the opening of the destination market. At the meeting, the Mexican delegation was led by the Ambassador of Mexico in the United States, Esteban Moctezuma Barragan, accompanied by the head of the National Commission of aquaculture and fisheries (Conapesca), Octavio Almada Palafox, and the Director General of the National Institute of fisheries and aquaculture (Inapesca), Pablo Arenas Fuentes. For the Government of the United States intervened the acting director of the Office of conservation of the sea of the Department of State, David Hogan, and officials of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS, for its acronym in English).
The Government of Mexico expressed that this document is part of a comprehensive preventive strategy to support the actions implemented by the coastal or artisanal shrimp sector, which has a great economic and social impact for the welfare of more than 20 thousand Mexican fishermen and their families and for more than 87 thousand people who depend on this activity.
On August 12 of this year, at a meeting held at the Embassy of Mexico in the United States, in which authorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participated and the Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Victor Villalobos Arambula was present, an expeditious process was agreed to recover the certification of Mexican shrimp and the issue of coastal shrimp fishing was discussed. The Government of Mexico, through the head of Agriculture, Victor Villalobos, recognized the progress of this meeting, which have been carried out through ongoing communication and have contributed to the Conapesca to promote productive activity, in a sustainable and inclusive manner, with new policy of preventive actions.
Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma highlighted the work and leadership of Conapesca and its owner to recover the certification of shrimp with the commitment, not only in exports, but also in improving the welfare of thousands of families who depend on this activity, through coordinated work.
For his part, David Hogan welcomed this cooperation, in addition to the extensive process of visits. He recognized that both countries have the same objectives, which is consistent with the commitments within the framework of the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC).
He also highlighted that Mexico is an example of long-term commitment and involvement in this issue. He thanked the Government of Mexico for its support during the last visit, as well as its willingness and cooperation for the visit that will take place in February 2022. In addition, he recognized the involvement of all, industry and government, which goes beyond the verification visit and also includes efforts for the recovery of sea turtles.
Commissioner Almada Palafox said that Conapesca is currently working on how to apply preventive actions that contribute substantively in the sector and promote the welfare of coastal fishermen.
He said that this action plan complements the “Plan of emerging actions implemented by the Government of Mexico for the conservation of sea turtles”, published on June 9, 2021 in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF) and that contains preventive and corrective actions focused on sea turtle Excluder Devices (DET) used by the shrimp trawling fleet. The measure guarantees a sustainable production of Mexican shrimp and maintains openness in international markets.
He indicated that the protection and conservation of sea turtles is a commitment made by both countries, which are allies in various international forums.
He highlighted the willingness of the U.S. Government and stressed that the doors are always open for a permanent dialogue so that the best way to move and, above all, there is a social benefit with the care of sea turtles and the environment.
He stressed that the certification of Mexican shrimp, which our country recovered on October 19, 2021, is a clear example that when working in coordination between the productive fishing sector and the government, fast and effective results are obtained for the direct benefit of the welfare of fishermen and their families.
In his speech, the general director of Inapesca, Pablo Arenas, emphasized that two fronts are covered with a global vision: fishing with larger vessels and also smaller ones. This, he said, in order that a non-certification does not happen again, so preventive actions are essential in this purpose.