APPENDIX IV APPENDIX IV 
Another indication of Mexico's growing interest in 
fisheries was the enactment in 1972 of the Federal Law for 
the Development of Fisheries. This law was the first major 
revision of Mexico's fishery laws in 22 years. Among other 
things the law was designed to 
--strengthen fishery cooperatives, 
--authorize the use of factory ships for processing 
fish products, 
--increase a trust fund for fishery development by 
50 percent, 
--increase penalties for violating Mexico's fishing 
laws, 
--investigate fishery resources and fish cultivation, 
and 
--regulate fishery marketing practices. 
The law also established that only government-licensed 
vessels may harvest fish and shellfish and licenses may be 
revoked for failure to comply with fishing regulations. 
Fishery cooperatives which have exclusive fishing rights over 
the more valuable species may pay as much as 10 percent of 
their total investment in fisheries for a license. Licenses 
issued to other fishing enterprises may cost as much as $400 
and foreign vessels may pay as much as $8,000 for their 
licenses. 
Under the fisheries law, the government can prevent 
overfishing by limiting the number of fishing vessels; re- 
stricting the type of fishing gear and equipment used; 
establishing seasons during which species may not be fished; 
restricting fishing for certain species; establishing a mini- 
mum size for species fished; and imposing quotas on the 
quantities of fish and shellfish harvested. 
In February 1976 the Mexican Government declared an ex- 
clusive economic zone extending 200 miles off the Mexican 
coasts. This action allowed for the development of a 
variety of fisheries and emphasized the government's inter- 
est in the fishing industry. 
Between 1970 and 1975 the Mexican Government has been 
involved in several fishery support programs. For example, 
investments were made to improve marketing of fish products 
($25 million); to:improve seaports ($12 million); and to 
train citizens for employment in the industry ($5 million). 
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