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UPDATE: Mexico Bans Bluefin Tuna Fishing

Mexico's National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission forbids the capture of bluefin tuna in Mexican waters for the remainder of the 2014 calendar year.
Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin Tuna

Courtesy NOAA Fisheries Courtesy NOAA Fisheries

UPDATE: SDFish.com reports that, “the suspension does indeed cover recreational sportfishing and will affect San Diego’s world-famous sportfishing fleet.”

_Ed Zieralski of the San Diego Union Tribune reports that Ken Franke, President of the Sportfishing Association of California, confirmed with CONAPESCA in Mazatlan that the ban through 2014 of includes the recreational take. _

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On July 14, CONAPESCA (Mexico’s National Aquaculture and Fishing Commission) has sent out a notice that states:

“In accordance with recent Mexican Government regulations revisions, the capture of Blue Fin Tuna (Thunnus Orientals) in Mexican waters is forbidden for the remainder of the 2014 calendar year.

Any incidental catches are to be released.

This measure will be strictly enforced by Mexican authorities. Please avoid any fines or penalities.”

There has been no official statement on why the suspension occurred. There is speculation that the suspension is due to reaching its 5,000 tonne (5,511.5 US tons) yearly quota. There also has been no word if this ban will only affect commercial fishermen. SDFISH.com stated that, “Some anglers and sportfishing operations with ties to Mexico, such as ‘Gamefisher Sportfishing’ in Ensenada claim to have received confirmation that it does not affect sportfishing, only commercial fishing.”

According to FIS.com, Fish Information & Services, “CONAPESCA recalled that the quota for fishing bluefin tuna was set by an agreement published in the Official Gazette of the Federation published on 20 June, on the basis of the Resolution C-13-02 of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).”

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Sport Fishing will be looking into this further and provide any updates when available.

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