APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
increased dramatically, from about $172 per ton in 1962 to 
approximately $503 per ton in 1973--a 192-percent increase. 
Exports 
While Mexican imports have been decreasing, exports 
have been increasing. In 1973 fishery exports totaled 95 
million pounds valued at $97.8 million. In 1974 fishery 
exports accounted for about 3 percent of total Mexican 
exports, and shrimp, representing 85 percent of the value 
of fishery exports, was Mexico's fifth largest export 
commodity. 
The quantity and value of Mexico's fishery exports 
from 1969 to 1973 is shown in the following table. 
Year Quantity Value 
(million pounds) (millions) 
ISS! 74 $60.3 
1970 83 TAPES 
m7: 93 7950 
1972 102 88.6 
97 3 95 97.8 
The price per ton of fishery exports remained fairly 
stable from 1969 to 1972, increasing by 6 percent. How- 
ever, in 1973 the price of exports increased 26 percent 
above the 1969 level. The United States imported about 
80 percent of Mexico's 1973 shrimp exports; Japan was the 
only other notable foreign market. 
ECONOMIC ROLE OF THE FISHING INDUSTRY 
In 1974 the Mexican fishing industry accounted for 0.7 
percent of its gross national product. Between 1969 and 
1973 the industry became more important to the nation's 
food supply, shipbuilding industry, and foreign trade. 
Per capita fish consumption increased from 7.7 pounds 
to 9.9 pounds, a 29-percent increase. With expected in- 
creases in the harvest, the Mexican Government anticipates 
that fisheries will become increasingly important as a food 
source. 
Because of government efforts to modernize the fishing 
fleet, by 1975 150 shrimp trawlers had been constructed and 
238 vessels were under construction. As a result, the ship- 
building industry has been strengthened and shipyards are 
building vessels for foreign nations. This has provided 
employment for Mexicans and contributed to Mexico's foreign 
Emades 
Shl 
