The Secretariat of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Campeche (SEDEPESCA), together with the State Delegation of the National Chamber of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry (CANAINPESCA), have presented a proposal to reduce the length of the ban on the Atlantic seabob and lift the ban permanent rule for white shrimp in Laguna de Términos. The proposal comes after coastal fishermen met with authorities of the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) to agree on prospecting studies of white shrimp as well as Atlantic seabob shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) in order to change closure times.
The fishermen argue that the Atlantic seabob shrimp has recovered its abundance so they already see a viable shortening of the ban. Also they state that after years’ closure, the white shrimp has recovered in the Laguna de Términos, reason why they request studies to be able to raise the permanent prohibition, informed Campeche Hoy. According to president of Rebeldes de la Caleta Cooperative Society, José Luis Escalante Morales, the fishermen are going through a difficult time, since in many cases they can not cover the operating costs of their boats, which often forces them to keep them paralyzed.
“The latest study we had of the recovery of the Atlantic seabob shrimp was four years ago, and given the sizes of the specimens we captured, we can say there are important advances, so we have asked CONAPESCA to carry out a new study to determine the possibility of reducing the six-month closure period,” the leader explained to La Jornada Maya. “We trust that the studies will show the recovery of the species and with it, a reduction in the closure period can be established, besides allowing the first fishing permits of the white shrimp, which will result in the regulation of this activity that today is performed outside the law,” he added.
The studies would be carried out by the different Centres of the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INAPESCA), who will initiate samplings from June to September to try to estimate the biomass, abundance, and the periods of reproduction and recruitment of each of the species of shrimp. The results obtained will serve as a basis to determine if the closure period of the Atlantic seabob shrimp can be reduced or if it remains within the established dates (from June 1 to October 15). The fishermen believe that the closure should be reduced by at least two months, which would allow them, in a certain way, to compensate for the time lost due to the cold weather.