February 1, 2012

 

Mexico to invest US$64.3 million in fisheries and aquaculture

 

 

Plans are underway for the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) to invest a total of MXN845 million (US$64.3 million) into the Mexican fisheries and aquaculture industry this year.

 

According to CONAPESCA Infrastructure CEO, José Manuel Soto Lopez, this budget will be distributed in fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure, fishing fleet modernization and rationalization of fishing effort, electrification for fish farms and the replacement old engines with environmental marine types.

 

Of the total budget, MXN63.9 million (US$4.8 million) will be invested in various projects in the state of Baja California.

 

On the one hand, 15 boats will be modernized by investing MXN12.4 million (US$944,400).

 

In addition, MXN9.4 million (US$715,900) will be invested to replace 125 obsolete engines with new environmental marine models.

 

Likewise, three public docking ramps will be built; dredging tasks and three pre-investment studies for a total of MXN42.1 million (US$3.2 million) will be carried out.

 

On the other hand, the Commission plans to invest MXN176.5 million (US$13.4 million) for the materialisation of various projects related to fisheries and aquaculture in the state of Sonora.

 

In the first place, 165 boats will be upgraded thanks to a budget of MXN133.6 million (US$10.1 million) during 2012.

 

In addition, 213 old and obsolete engines will be replaced by new environmental marine engines thanks to the contribution of MXN16 million (US$1.2 million).

 

Similarly, the construction of three integral berths, a fish market, dredging tasks and two pre-investment studies for a total of MXN26.9 million (US$2 million) will be carried out.

 

CONAPESCA noted that these works seek to support fishermen and fish farmers of Baja California and Sonora, with the aim of improving the profits and sustainability of their activities, for the benefit of their own families.