Mexican white shrimp. The industry is contending with a lack of market for its product. (Photo: Luis Eustaquio)

Uncertainty amid absence of market for shrimp

MEXICO
Thursday, October 08, 2009, 15:50 (GMT + 9)

The National Fishing and Aquaculture Industry Chamber (CANAINPESCA) says that the shrimping industry is in a “critical juncture” due to the lack of market. This situation is not only attributed to the global economic crisis, but also to the over-exploitation of the Mexican coasts and to the failure of the government to adequately regulate the fishing of the crustacean.

According to president of CANAINPESCA, Rafael Ruiz, the problem of the industry is very serious, because the market is oversaturated and lacks an agreed to public policy in line with the circumstances.

Traditionally, 60 per cent of the shrimp produced in the country was destined to the external market, but this year it is estimated that less than half will be exported and at a price 50 per cent less than that of three years ago, El Sol de Mexico reports.

Meanwhile, the Chamber charges that coastal fishers have multiplied in inner waters and lagoons, given the complacency of National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission (CONAPESCA) authorities causing the extinction of several species in some coastal zones.

In this complicated context, the president of the Guaymas Association of Small Shipowners, Mireya Acuna Gomez, said that it looks for support from the head of the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishery State Aquaculture (SAGARHPA), Hector Ortiz Ciscomani, to undertake joint projects for shrimp sale.

“We are worried not only because of the uncertainty over what is happening with our fishers who left to high seas, but what we are going to do with the shrimp that we have in storage since last season, and with what they are bringing in at the moment,” said the leader in declarations to La Voz del Puerto.

Sources of the shrimp fisher fleet of Campeche anticipate that they may have to stop indefinitely due to the lack of market.

The Campeche vessels are harvesting between 7 and 8 tonnes per trip, but are only selling 50 per cent of the same. The fishers freeze the rest of their captures, in the hopes of being able to sell them when the state of the market improves.

Related articles:

- Sinaloa fishers expect solid shrimp captures
- Pacific shrimp ban lifted gradually

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com