Mexican traders interested in exporting fishery products to the EU will be required to update their catch certificates. The purpose of this measure is to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal fishing. The measure, announced by the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA), was established after the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission informed authorities of the adoption of a regulation adjusting certain provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1005/2008, which in turn modifies the model catch certificate, making its update necessary.

The catch certificate for exports to the European Union 2023/2842 applies to those intending to land catches in foreign ports using vessels registered and flagged in Mexico. These operators must comply with the international treaties or agreements to which Mexico is a party, as well as with the requirements and permits demanded by the destination countries for such operations.

On June 26, 2000, the Economic Partnership, Political Coordination and Cooperation Agreement between Mexico and the European Community was published in Mexico’s Official Gazette (DOF). Art. 35 of that agreement refers to cooperation in the fisheries sector due to its socioeconomic importance for both parties. The instrument entered into force on the business day following its publication, and certificates issued prior to the update will remain valid for the purposes for which they were originally granted.

European Policy Against Illegal Fishing

The European Union is one of the world’s strictest markets in terms of fisheries traceability. Council Regulation (EC) No. 1005/2008, published in 2008, established a Community system to prevent, deter, and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The regulation prevents products obtained through illicit practices from entering the European market. To achieve this, a mandatory catch certification scheme was implemented, requiring exporting countries to validate that products originate from authorized vessels, comply with conservation measures, and guarantee full traceability from the point of capture to commercialization.

The regulation also establishes a monitoring mechanism through a carding system, which may result in trade sanctions against third countries if deficiencies are identified in their fight against illegal fishing.

If a country shows shortcomings in these areas, the European Commission issues a warning in the form of a yellow card and invites it to submit an action plan to address the identified deficiencies. If, after a given period, the country fails to implement the plan adequately and on time, the EU may issue a red card and prohibit the import of its fishery products into the European market.

Furthermore, if a country successfully resolves the deficiencies that led to trade restrictions, it may be removed from the list of non-cooperating countries through the issuance of a green card and may continue exporting its fishery products. To date, Mexico has not received sanctions of this type from the European Union.

Fisheries Production and Exports

According to CONAPESCA, Mexico’s fisheries and aquaculture sector produces approximately 2Mt/y, with an estimated gross value ranging between MX$37 billion and MX$42 billion (US$2.1 billion and US$2.4 billion). Moreover, up to 80% of the highest-quality fishery species are exported to foreign markets, according to the Mexican Council for the Promotion of Fishery and Aquaculture Products (Comepesca).

The main fishery and aquaculture species exported by Mexico include shrimp, tuna, lobster, abalone, geoduck clam, octopus, sea cucumber, red snapper, and various marine finfish species. According to Pescadata, after the United States and Japan, Spain has consolidated its position as the third-largest buyer of Mexican fishery products, including frozen fish, mollusks, fillets, and other fish meat.

Among these products is the Maya octopus, harvested in the Yucatan Peninsula and primarily marketed to Spain and Italy. This high-value market for the southeastern region of the country provides employment to more than 12,000 people, and its exports generate over MX$500 million, benefiting both small-scale coastal fishers and industrial fishing operators.

Domestic Consumption of Fishery Products

Despite being one of the world’s leading fish producers, Mexico’s per capita domestic consumption of seafood remains below the global average. Current national consumption is estimated at 12.8kg/y per person, compared to the global average of 22kg per capita.

According to CONAPESCA, low seafood consumption is attributed to several factors, including the high cost of certain species and limited intake of lesser-known fish, despite their nutritional potential. It also reflects the fact that many Mexicans traditionally consume seafood primarily during Lent and Holy Week, while distribution infrastructure constraints limit access to fresh fish in some regions of the country.

During the Holy Week season, there is excess demand for certain seafood products, which, in addition to contributing to overfishing pressures, leads to a significant increase in annual imports to meet domestic consumption needs. To help balance this situation, the agency recommends diversifying consumption toward lesser-known species such as Spanish mackerel, croaker, jack mackerel, and catfish.

Similarly, Comepesca encourages consumers to include affordable options such as sardines in their diets, considered one of the most nutritious fish in the world. The organization highlights that a viable goal would be to increase per capita consumption by one kilogram every two years, an increase that would be sufficient to retain greater added value within the country and reduce dependence on lower-quality imports.