Overview and Relevance
During the first half of 2025, federal authorities in Mexico seized 4,265.8 tonnes of illegal fish products across 18 states. This significant action was carried out by the Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (Sader), through the Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca (Conapesca) and the Secretaría de Marina (Semar).
Key Players and Their Roles
Conapesca’s fishing officers, along with elements from the Secretaría de Marina, conducted these operations. They decommissioned 7,689 unauthorized fishing gear and confiscated 220 vehicles, 79 boat engines, 107 small boats, and 4 large boats.
Scope of Operations
- The seizures took place in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Colima, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Ciudad de México, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz.
- Authorities conducted 1,301 waterborne patrols and 7,955 land-based patrols.
- They established 1,450 checkpoints and held 1,516 preventive discussions.
Background and Context
A 2022 Brookings Institute investigation exposed that criminal organizations in Mexico, including the Sinaloa Cartel, were exploiting marine wildlife to meet diverse markets, such as those in China. These criminal groups aimed to monopolize both legal and illegal fishing along the entire supply chain.
The issue persists, as evidenced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioning five members of the Gulf Cartel in 2024 for illegal fishing and drug trafficking.
Reporting Illegal Activities
Conapesca offers a 24/7 hotline (669 915 6913) for the public to report illegal activities or file complaints.
Key Questions and Answers
- What was seized during the operation? Federal authorities confiscated 4,265.8 tonnes of illegal fish products.
- Which agencies were involved in the operation? The Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (Sader), Comisión Nacional de Acuacultura y Pesca (Conapesca), and Secretaría de Marina (Semar) collaborated in the operation.
- What types of equipment and vehicles were confiscated? 7,689 unauthorized fishing gear, 220 vehicles, 79 boat engines, 107 small boats, and 4 large boats were seized.
- In which states did the seizures occur? The seizures took place in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Colima, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Ciudad de México, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz.
- What measures were taken to ensure compliance? Authorities conducted 1,301 waterborne patrols, 7,955 land-based patrols, established 1,450 checkpoints, and held 1,516 preventive discussions.
- What is the Brookings Institute investigation about? The 2022 Brookings Institute investigation revealed that criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa Cartel, were exploiting marine wildlife in Mexico to meet diverse markets.
- What actions were taken against the Gulf Cartel? In 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned five members of the Gulf Cartel for illegal fishing and drug trafficking.
- How can the public report illegal activities? Conapesca provides a 24/7 hotline (669 915 6913) for reporting illegal activities or filing complaints.
