Regarding the "Notification of Revocation of Comparability Findings and Implementation of Import Restrictions; Certification of Admissibility for Certain Fish Products From Mexico" published yesterday by the United States Government that puts import restrictions on certain fish and fish products from Mexico (Upper Gulf of California):

The Government of Mexico reiterates its commitment to implement a comprehensive strategy for protecting and conserving endangered marine species that involves the Ministries of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment and Natural Resources, Social Welfare, the Navy, Economy and Public Security, in addition to the National Commission on Aquaculture and Fisheries, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas, among others.

 This strategy seeks to safeguard the well-being of Mexico's coastal communities with measures that include:

  • Mandatory regulations such as a permanent ban on gillnets that could harm non-target species in the Upper Gulf of California.
  • Collaboration between the relevant law enforcement authorities that, in coordination with the Ministry of the Navy, maintain a presence in the "zero-tolerance area", conducting inspections and surveillance and monitoring activities in the Upper Gulf of California.
  • Development of a plan to permanently strengthen the inspection and surveillance capacities of all the authorities involved, such as the Ministries of the Navy and Public Security, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the National Commission on Aquaculture and Fisheries, among others, in addition to the creation of a Law Enforcement Contact Group.
  • Installation of the Pacific Ocean Shrimp Fishery Management Committee, which includes the Upper Gulf of California and was agreed on by fisheries authorities and producers. The committee is expected to be installed on April 1.
  • The National Commission of Protected Natural Areas will use the Biosphere Reserve, a category of world conservation that promotes both the social and productive participation of fishermen, to focus on conserving ecosystems and species.

The Government of Mexico has the political will and institutional capabilities to ensure the area's comprehensive, sustainable development, and to offer productive alternatives to Mexican fishermen, protecting the totoaba and marine vaquita.

In response to the interest of the international community in protecting these species, the Government of Mexico is working multilaterally and bilaterally, in particular with the United States Government, to strengthen the current regulatory framework in order to intensify the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and to achieve the elimination of trade restrictions by reinstating comparability and complying with its international environmental and commercial commitments.