The Mexican Shrimp Council (MxSC) has reemphasised its commitment to protect the vaquita and other marine mammals using sustainable fishing methods.
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has revoked comparability findings related to the Government of Mexico’s protections for fisheries in the Upper Gulf of California. NMFS revoked that status for seven fisheries, noting a lack of effectiveness in the Mexican government’s programme to protect marine mammals, especially the vaquita.
“As companies that fish following rules and regulations, we regret this development,” said Mexican Shrimp Council chair, David Castro, from seafood company Manta Bay. “We understand the US government’s need to consider new information and developments in its decision making. Mexican Shrimp Council members have and will continue to ensure its shrimp is caught sustainably.”
“It’s important that our US customers understand that working with Mexican Shrimp Council members will ensure their shrimp was caught using fishing methods that do not interact with vaquitas. Our shrimp sent to the United States will have documentation to ensure it is traced to sustainable catch methods,” he added.
The MxSC looks forward to working with the US and Mexican governments to determine what specific steps need to be taken to assure regulators that protections for marine mammals are effectively enforced.
