Mexico has the potential to be the largest producer of fin fish in the world simply because they have 9330 kilometers of coastline with more than 2800 kilometers inside the Sea of Cortez alone. The key is to insure that Mexico’s poor get to participate in the growth of this industry. Education will be required, investment will be required and government cooperation will be required.
Imagine if you will, cages of fish of all sorts parked at authorized locations along the coast being fed by well meaning former long liners who are making more money than ever in their lives. Imagine also Mexico exporting fish to the world and not just its poor population.
The health of the fishing industry worldwide is no longer merely suspect, it is clearly in a rapid state of decline. In some parts of the world the sea has been raped and left baron of any and all biomass.
The Sea of Cortez in Mexico is still alive but wheezing with the devastation already done. The Sea has suffered the loss of several species as a viable food source as it has been scoured by both legal and illegal harvest. Some species are protected from harvest by law but hungry bellies do not read law books.
Mexico’s populous suffers severe poverty. 26 % of the population survives on less than $2 per day. 10% of the country earns less than $1 per day. Unemployment is epidemic throughout Mexico and underemployment has created a two class society which is defined as those with assets, education and income versus those without any assets, education or income.
In Sonora and Baja Sur the numbers are not quite as bad. They are still 21% with income of less than $2 per day.5 Employment in Baja Sur is higher due to the strong tourist industry of Southern Baja Sur namely Cabo San Lucas. Sonora has Puerto Penasco, San Carlos and Kino Bay with strong tourist industry. An industry we note that is highly dependant on the sport fishing industry.
The economic impact of commercial fishing today versus aquaculture is easily seen as an opportunity to develop a sustainable industry that Mexico is ideally suited for and will employ all of the coastal poor. The personnel can come from an industry that is now devastating the fishery.
Cibnor7 or a “cooperativa” can manage the hatcheries with the bulk of the labor force being independent contractors to feed the penned fish. The cost would be less than one port development contract currently underway. Mexico has the technology but seems to lack the political will.
The web site below will explain it all if you read enough.
