More than 200,000 will be authorized, and 2,500 fishermen have been credentialed
Governor Víctor Castro chaired the sixth session of the State Fisheries and Aquaculture Council, and key agreements were signed with the federation.
Directors of the SEPADA (Secretariat of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Agricultural Development); CONAPESCA (the National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries); and IMIPAS (the Mexican Institute for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research) were present in the meeting to reach three common accords
A general agreement to generate strategies for the sustainable development of the sector, a specific agreement to conduct a state census of fishermen and vessels as a means of regulation, and another to empower the state to sell and issue sport fishing permits, to optimize and streamline procedures were reached.
In this regard, a file was submitted to Senator Homero Davis to request alternatives from SHCP (the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit) for the waiver of fees for the use of fishing gear for different clam species.
Also, the need to modify fishing regulation NOM-002-SAG/PESC-2013 that will prevent deep-draft tuna and shrimp boats from operating within 50 miles of fishing grounds was highlighted.
Governor Castro announced that his administration will prioritize projects such as the Bahía Asunción–Punta Prieta highway, benefiting the fishing communities in the North Pacific region of the state.
The SEPADA director’s attendance at the meeting was highly important as it is the state’s government agency responsible for formulating and implementing public policies aimed at the comprehensive development of the primary sector.
In matters of fisheries and aquaculture, its functions include sector regulation, promoting productive organization, generating and disseminating strategic information, promoting technological innovation, and supporting producers with a perspective of sustainability, social equity, and a regional focus.
Alfredo Bermúdez, head of the agency, mentioned an investment of around 6 million dollars in the last three years, in addition to the current fiscal year’s budget, in support of these productive sectors.
He highlighted the efforts made through programs such as productive support and life insurance for fishermen and fish farmers, as unique in thewhole country.