The United States government renewed the certification that allows Mexico to export shrimp to the U.S., considering that Mexican measures to prevent the accidental capture of sea turtles are comparable to those in the United States.
The resolution, published in April by the State Department, benefits an industry that sells 13,884 tons of shrimp annually, valued at over $142 million.
The official determination is based on technical evaluations conducted in March 2016 by personnel from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Inspectors gave a 93% rating for the proper use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) on shrimp vessels in Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, and Campeche, three of the country’s most important fishing states.
The National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca) reported that this renewal is the result of the Mexican fishing sector’s sustained commitment to aligning its practices with international sustainability standards.
During 2025, a total of 74 net manufacturers and 1,227 vessel crew members from eight states participated in workshops on the construction and proper use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs).
These devices are essential for reducing the bycatch of turtles, one of the most stringent environmental requirements of the U.S. market. The workshops were conducted by the National Fisheries Commission (CONAPESCA) in Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, Sonora, and Veracruz, demonstrating the nationwide reach of the training program.
In addition to technical training, the Mexican government has strengthened enforcement efforts in coordination with the Secretariat of the Navy and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA). This three-way partnership aims to ensure that vessels comply with environmental regulations at all times, both in national waters and in shared fishing zones.
For Mexican producers, this certification represents a strategic commercial opportunity. The United States remains one of the main buyers of Mexican shrimp, with an annual demand exceeding 13,000 tons and generating foreign exchange of $142,864,000, according to official data from Conapesca.
Source: oem
