eralized increase in per capita consumption. To achieve this, 

 it is also essential that coordination and action be reflected in 

 the strengthening of a massive and methodically efficient pro- 

 duction, capable of meeting the needs of the poorest regions 

 of the interior of Mexico at reasonable prices. 



The volume of fishing must increase to about 500,000 tons 

 in the next six years for consumption to reach proper levels. 

 The commercial value of this production at current prices 

 will rise to two billion pesos, compared to 7 1 3 million pesos in 

 1963. 



Encouragement of fish culture and sport fishing is another 

 very desirable objective. Pisciculture can contribute effec- 

 tively to improving the Mexican diet and diversifying the econ- 

 omies of regions with large, medium or small fresh water reser- 

 voirs. It has an excellent base in the responsible and patriotic 

 labor of our technicians who, on the basis of prior studies, have 

 made possible the introduction of formerly unknown species 

 in our inland waters and control of propagation techniques of 

 native species. Sport fishing can be developed to make many 

 parts of the country more attractive to Mexican as well as 

 foreign tourists. 



Ladies and Gentlemen: The leaders of the Revolution that 

 gave Mexico its independence drew much inspiration from the 

 triumph of George Washington and the thinking of Thomas 

 Jefferson and Thomas Paine. 



A breakdown of our fishing fleet shows 9,351 boats of less 

 than three tons, 640 of from three to ten tons, 1,219 from 

 ten to 50 tons, 305 of from 50 to 100 tons, and 26 of more 

 than 1 00 tons. 



Of this total, 1,341 boats, with a commercial value of 485 

 million pesos, constitute our deep-sea shrimp fleet. One of 

 our chief concerns will be to encourage the training of fisher- 

 men to improve fishing operations. 



The average age of boats larger than three tons is eight 

 years, and are thus still capable of playing a major part in 

 substantially increasing catches. 



Investment in the fishing industry totalled 1.527 billion 

 pesos in 1963. The shrimp industry accounted for 56.4 per- 

 cent of this investment. 



Of the assets of the fishing industry, 67.5 percent pertained 

 to private enterprise, 23.3 per cent to the public sector, and 9.2 

 percent to cooperatives. 



By channeling a larger volume of credits to the industry, 

 under more favorable terms than in the past, it will be possible 

 for many sectors to improve techniques of the industry and 

 thereby improve efficiency, while simultaneously strengthening 

 the industry. During the past ten years the volume of financial 

 resources available for the fisheries totalled 3,221,600,000 

 pesos, exclusive of short-term credits to the shrimp industry. 



Mexico accounts for but 0.4 percent of the world fishing 

 catch. Its averages of per capita fishing production, mean 

 capacity per boat and annual catch per boat are well below 

 world averages. This constitutes a powerful incentive for us 

 to invigorate our efforts. 



Our regional fishing resources are largely concentrated in 

 the northwestern part of the country, which includes the states 

 of Sinaloa, Sonora, Lower California and the Territory of 

 Lower California. There shrimp and lobster, two of the most 

 prized species of the Mexican coasts, are taken, as well as 

 sardines, anchovies, mackerel and abalone. 



This region accounts for 65.8 percent of total capitalization, 

 87.6 percent of the shrimp fleet, 79.7 percent of fish process- 

 ing plants and 74.7 percent of net investment. In the 1860's, 

 Mexicans staunchly supported that giant of history, that friend 

 and brother to all men on earth, Abraham Lincoln, in the 

 struggle he led to preserve that form and substance of govern- 

 ment whose chief objective is to elevate the human condition 

 and rid all men of their artificial burdens; to cleanse the streets 

 so that all may attain objectives worthy of praise, and to give to 

 all the opportunity for progress without hindrance. These 

 lofty ideals have also guided our own governments, sprung 

 from the Mexican Revolution of 1910, whose action is oriented 

 by the postulates of our Constitution of 1 9 1 7 . 



We Mexicans are aware that we are still a developing coun- 

 try and that we have within our borders some regions that are 

 extremelv poor. Nevertheless, we are convinced that our 

 problems are far from being insurmountable, and that our 

 creative ability affirms our determination to continue our ad- 

 vance along the path of economic development and social jus- 

 tice, in an open and frank atmosphere, toward international 

 cooperation and a common attack on our common problems. 



Our sincerest thanks go to you for your unforgettable hos- 

 pitality and the opportunity you have given us to be with you 

 during this magnificent meeting. Muchas gracias ! 



55 



