APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
MEXICO 
PRESENT SITUATION AND TRENDS 
IN THE MEXICAN FISHING INDUSTRY 
Mexico, although not a major fishing nation, is antici- 
pating continued growth of its expanding fishing industry. 
Between 1969 and 1973 Mexico's fish harvest increased 
rapidly along with domestic and international demands for 
Mexican fish products. During the same period, the price 
of fish products increased by 39 percent and remained pro- 
hibitively high for many Mexican citizens. 
Since 1970 the government has played an important role 
in developing the fishing industry. A subsecretary for 
fisheries was appointed in the Ministry of Industry and 
Commerce and a goal was established to increase Mexico's 
annual fishery harvest from about 560 million pounds in 
1970 to over 1 billion pounds in 1976. Government actions 
to improve fisheries included: 
--Approximately $240 million was invested in the 
fishing industry. The funds were used primarily 
to modernize the fleet and to improve seaports and 
product marketing. 
--Thirty technical fishery schools were established. 
--The Federal Law for the Development of Fisheries 
was enacted to (1) strengthen fishery cooperatives 
which are under tight government control, (2) in- 
vestigate fishery resources and fish cultivation, 
and (3) regulate fishery marketing practices. 
--A quasi-government corporation was formed to improve 
Management of the fishing industry and fishery 
resources and to provide consumers with high quality, 
reasonably priced seafoods. 
Future growth and stability of Mexico's fishing indus- 
try appears likely. Between 1969 and 1973 exports of fish 
products have increased and imports have declined. Impor- 
tant export markets have been established in the United 
States and Japan. 
Mexico expects that domestic consumption of fishery 
products will continue to grow as unexploited coastal 
waters provide new harvesting opportunities. The Organiza- 
tion for Economic Cooperation and Development, a major 
international organization promoting stable economic growth, 
estimates that these coastal waters contain thriving stocks 
of anchovy, sardine, and mackerel. Increased harvests are 
also likely because Mexico has claimed exclusive fishing 
rights in a 200-mile economic zone off its coasts. Through 
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