Jesús Omar Lizárraga Manjarrez, President of the Union of Shipowners of the Pacific Coast in Mazatlán, expressed concerns about inadequate surveillance measures to prevent shrimp looting on the high seas, particularly following the initiation of the shrimp ban in the Pacific Ocean.

State Efforts Fall Short

Lizárraga Manjarrez highlighted that despite efforts by the State Government to conduct inspection and surveillance actions, these measures have proven insufficient in curtailing the illegal looting of shrimp. He emphasized the need for more robust interventions to safeguard the interests of the fishing sector.

Federal Resource Shortage

The shipowners’ concerns are exacerbated by what they perceive as a lack of federal support. Lizárraga Manjarrez pointed out that the cancellation of key programs by the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) in 2020 and 2021, due to federal budget cuts, has left authorities ill-equipped to address maritime infringements effectively.

Calls for Independent Oversight

Lizárraga Manjarrez advocated for the transformation of Conapesca into an independent and autonomous institution. He argued that such a move would strengthen oversight capabilities and allow for more agile responses to issues affecting the fishing industry.

The shipowners believe that empowering Conapesca as a separate entity from the Ministry of Agriculture would bolster its ability to protect maritime resources and support the livelihoods of those working in the fishing sector.