APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
this action Mexico asserted fishing rights over rich shrimp 
beds in the Gulf of Mexico and over tuna fishing areas in the 
Pacific Ocean. To take advantage of these opportunities, 
harvesting capacity of the Mexican fishing fleet is being 
increased. 
EFFECT OF EXTENDED JURISDICTION 
Having declared a 200-mile exclusive economic zone, 
Mexico is ready to negotiate fishing arrangements with 
nations which have established or may establish similar 
zones. Because Mexico primarily fishes in its own coastal 
waters, economic zones established by most other nations 
will not affect Mexico's harvest. 
Mexico will permit foreign fishing in its waters only 
to the extent that Mexican vessels harvest their full 
capacity and remaining stocks are not overfished. Fishing 
licenses will be granted to vessels from nations which have 
historically fished in Mexican waters, including the 
United States, Cuba, and Japan. However, as Mexico's 
harvesting capability increases, fewer licenses will be 
issued. Nations not expected to be granted fishing licenses 
include France, Poland, the Soviet Union, and Spain. 
Fishing rights in Mexico's extended economic zone will 
be enforced by the Mexican navy which is expected to have 
100 vessels ready for this purpose by the end of 1976. 
Because Mexico's most important fishing areas are either 
in coastal waters or in clearly defined fishing areas, it 
believes effective enforcement operations will not be diffi- 
Guile Eovcarmny lout 
Mexico's extended economic zone overlaps the zone 
established by the United States. The two nations differ 
on policy regarding exclusive fishing rights over highly 
migratory species, such as tuna. Whereas the United States 
regards these species as common international property, 
Mexico has declared fishing rights over the species located 
in its waters. 
STRUCTURE OF THE FISHING FLEET 
Mexico's fishing vessels increased from about 15,000 
in 1969 to approximately 22,000 in 1973, an increase of 
nearly 47 percent. Only about 2,300 of these vessels 
325 
