Introduction
Over the past five years, Mexico’s shrimp production has experienced a significant decline of 24%, with losses amounting to approximately 13,600 toneladas. This decline is attributed to several factors, including illegal fishing during breeding periods, high fuel costs, trade restrictions on the primary export market, and falling prices in the international market.
Illegal Fishing: A Major Challenge
One of the most pressing issues facing Mexico’s shrimp fishery is the presence of unnamed, unregistered, or unlicensed boats. These vessels often offload at unauthorized landing sites, making it difficult to track their activities, such as capturing species during closed seasons or using unauthorized fishing methods.
Moreover, these boats transport products without proper documentation proving their legal origin or carry species that are off-limits during closed seasons. In the 2023-2024 season, Mexico’s national shrimp production was 49,214 toneladas, valued at 3,921 millones de pesos.
Production Trends and Export Data
According to the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries, the total production in both sectors (aquaculture and fishery) reached 2,033,654 toneladas in 2024. The economic value of this production was 37,588 millones de pesos, with acuiculture contributing 18,275 millones de pesos and fishery accounting for 19,313 millones de pesos.
Top Aquaculture-Producing States
- Sonora: 96,282 toneladas
- Sinaloa: 91,378 toneladas
- Veracruz: 14,485 toneladas
- Nayarit: 13,286 toneladas
- Chiapas: 11,514 toneladas
- Tabasco: 10,512 toneladas
- Baja California: 8,961 toneladas
- Jalisco: 6,880 toneladas
- Colima: 6,157 toneladas
- Michoacán: 5,179 toneladas
Top Fishery-Producing States
- Sonora: 656,552 toneladas
- Baja California: 334,739 toneladas
- Sinaloa: 320,944 toneladas
- Baja California Sur: 197,105 toneladas
- Campeche: 42,494 toneladas
- Veracruz: 41,010 toneladas
- Yucatán: 36,420 toneladas
- Colima: 33,095 toneladas
- Tamaulipas: 29,160 toneladas
- Chiapas: 20,407 toneladas
Top Producing Species in Mexico
(According to the National Register of Aquaculture Production as of November 30, 2024)
- Shrimp: 273,940 toneladas
- Mojarra: 46,603 toneladas
- Oyster: 24,715 toneladas
- Tuna: 5,156 toneladas
- Catfish: 2,488 toneladas
- Lobina: 1,820 toneladas
- Charal: 774 toneladas
- Bagre: 589 toneladas
- Trout: 564 toneladas
- Jurel: 370 toneladas
Key Species Caught in Mexican Waters
- Sardine: 650,545 toneladas
- Anchoveta: 308,621 toneladas
- Tuna: 154,737 toneladas
- Macarela: 63,179 toneladas
- Shrimp: 36,732 toneladas
- Shark: 40,514 toneladas
- Crab: 40,229 toneladas
- Octopus: 32,246 toneladas
- Swordfish: 25,084 toneladas
- Sailfish: 21,341 toneladas
