Sinaloa, Mexico, a region synonymous with shrimp production, finds itself navigating turbulent waters. The 2024 shrimp fishing season is shaping up to be a disaster, one that threatens to capsize the livelihoods of many fishermen and cooperatives. What was once a thriving industry now teeters on the brink of collapse.

A Sharp Decline

Ernesto Parra Leyva, president of the Federation of Fishing Cooperatives of Guasave, underscores the severity of the crisis. Farmed shrimp production has plummeted by approximately 40%, with this year’s total projected to close at just 60,000 tons—a stark drop from the 95,000 tons harvested in 2023. “Going down from 95,000 to less than 60,000 is more than 40%, it is a brutal impact,” Parra Leyva lamented.

The repercussions of this decline are far-reaching. Small cooperatives and larger firms alike are struggling to stay afloat. As Parra Leyva warned, “Many of the companies are going to fall by the wayside.”

The Blame Game

Parra Leyva does not hesitate to assign responsibility. While he acknowledges some missteps by producers themselves, he places significant blame on the Mexican government’s policies—or lack thereof.

At the heart of the issue is the unchecked smuggling of shrimp from other countries. Imported shrimp, often sold at lower prices, has flooded the market, undercutting local producers. The absence of stringent regulatory oversight has compounded the problem. “Part of the blame lies with the Mexican government for not having control over the introduction of shrimp from other countries, which is what ended up damaging the sector,” Parra Leyva declared.