Shrimp Boats Return to Harbour

by Maureen Dietrich

23 Dec 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

With only a few days left in the year, shrimping on the high seas for this season is in its last phase.

Many of the shrimp fleet are beginning to return to port, some because of low catches and others to spend the holidays with family, said Ricardo Michel Luna of the fishermen’s union.

During the second trip to sea, fishermen were fortunate to capture even one ton of export quality shrimp, the rest being small. The reality is fishing is experiencing a crisis. There is no shrimp, or not enough to warrant paying the high costs of maintaining a boat on the high seas, said the union leader. 

(from Noroeste)

Tuna Season Coming to a Close

by Murry Page

1 Oct 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

The Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission announced yesterday that the season for catching tuna would end November 18 and remained closed until January 18, 2015.

The tuna caught in the Mexican Pacific Ocean includes yellowfin, bigeye, bluefin and skipjack. Although not as large are the shrimping industry tuna is a large contributor to México’s fishing sector.

Last July the México’s National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission (CONAPESCA) unexpectedly stopped all fishing for Bluefin tuna. No reason for the untimely closure was given by CONAPESCA at the time. The closure was rescinded a couple of days later, also without explanation.

(from El Debate)

120 Shrimp Boats Head to Sea

by Murry Page

13 Sep 14  

mazmessenger.com

 

Gustavo Rangel Gómez, Capitan of the Mazatlán Port, said the port was not closed yesterday and 120 shrimp boats put out to sea in anticipation of the shrimp season opening at 6 am September 14.

The harbormaster said the vast majority of the local fleet of about 300 vessels remained moored waiting to see what the weather will do.

Rangel Gómez said that although nothing is certain when it comes to weather, the forecast is that Odile will continue on a western course, but producing strong surges. He felt that most ships would be able to find refuge, if needed.

Ricardo Michel Luna, president of Pacific Ship Owners Union, said, “Fortunately Odile has detoured west, but we must not be complacent.” He pointed out that 90 percent of the fleet is ready to sail, but their departure will depend on the weather.

(from El Debate)

Shrimping Season Begins Tomorrow

 by Murry Page

4 Sep 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Beginning tomorrow the prohibition on fishing for shrimp in the marine waters under the country’s federal jurisdiction in the Pacific Ocean, as well as in its lagoon systems, marshes and bays of Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco and Colima will end.

The posting in the Official Gazette said that shrimp fishing will be allowed from 6:00 am on September 5 in the states Sonora, Nayarit, Baja California Sur, Jalisco, Colima and Sinaloa to the south limit Ceuta Bay and the lagoon system Huizache-Caimanero.

The fishing ban will end beginning at 6:00 am on September 14 in the lagoon systems in southern Sinaloa (from the southern edge of the Bay of Ceuta) to the border with Nayarit; as well as in marine waters from the southern boundary of the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Gulf of California to the limit of the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

On September 20 shrimp fishing in marine waters of the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Gulf of California will begin and on September 30 in the Gulf of Tehuantepec to the border with Republic of Guatemala.

(from Milenio)

Shrimp Fishing Season to Begin September 14

by Maureen Dietrich

28 Aug 14 

mazmessenger.com

 

Shrimp trawlers are facing a difficult start to the season as 80 percent are without diesel fuel.

The committee on fishing moratoriums announced yesterday the moratorium will be lifted on September 14 to begin the high seas 2014-2015 shrimp season and on September 5 for the pangas capturing shrimp in streams and lagoons.

The earlier date for pangas has once again this year caused concern for deep sea shrimpers who complain pangas infringe on their fishing territory before their ships can legally take to sea.

Given the possibility, authorities, panga and shrimp trawler owners have agreed that if pangas are caught fishing illegally outside their territory, shrimp trawler owners will detain them to face legal proceedings.

Head of Conapesca, Mario Aguilar Sánchez, told media an agreement is in place between trawlers and pangas to not fish illegally. However, in order to enforce the détente Conapesca will deploy two helicopters and over 50 agents to patrol deep sea waters.

Shrimp trawlers are facing a difficult start to the season as 80 percent are without diesel fuel.

Vice President of the national aquaculture and fishing board, Humberto Becerra Batista, said not only is the fishing season starting too early when shrimp are not yet mature, but as well there is shortage of diesel fuel in the port.

Shiploads of diesel due to arrive from the port of Lázaro Cárdenas have been delayed by high seas from the passing of Hurricane Marie. Each trawler requires 50,000 liters of fuel for one month at sea, he explained, and only 20 percent of the fleet might be able to obtain diesel in Topolobampo.

Mazatlán’s shrimp fleet consists of 2,552 pangas and 613 trawlers. During the 2012-2013 season, trawlers captured 6,477 tons of shrimp and in 2013-2014, 6,299 tons. Pangas hauled in 4,648 tons in 2012-2013 and 5,582 in 2013-2014.

 (from Noroeste)