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US orders from Mexican seafood producers will grow as a result of the oil spill. (Photo: Seafish/FIS)
Boost in fish, shellfish exports to US expected
MEXICO
Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 01:30 (GMT + 9)
US authorities plan to increase imports from Mexican marine producers following the oil spill that occurred days ago in Gulf of Mexico waters.
Specifically, shipments of scale fish, lobster, sardine, aquaculture shrimp and octopus, will be augmented, indicated the head of the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (CONAPESCA), Ramon Corral Avila.
If this initiative takes shape, Mexico would increase the trade balance of seafood products, which in 2009 reached 94,447,028 kilograms worth USD 486,553,588.
Similarly, Corral Avila affirmed that France, Germany, Italy, England and Spain also want to open up and, in some cases, expand acquisitions of Mexican marine resources.
In order to satisfy those expectations, the official explained that CONAPESCA has reinforced its dialogue with
the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), to learn in detail the requirements that must be fulfilled by Mexican producers for the export of food product. “In some cases they are very rigorous, but nothing that we cannot satisfy,” Corral Avila added.
Before the catastrophe took place, Mexico sold 41,121,787 kg of shrimp worth USD 332 million to the US market; as well as 1,923,514 kg of crab worth USD 22 million; 3,485,499 kg of grouper worth USD 19 million; and 4,494,792 kg of tuna worth USD 13 million;
Other US-bound exports included 1,119,860 kg of oysters worth USD 5 million; 5,575,127 kg of sardines worth USD 5 million; and 100.194 kg of abalone worth USD 5 million, El Universal reports.
Last Wednesday, a large swathe of the Gulf of Mexico remained closed to fishing due to the presence of the giant oil slick.
The economic and environmental impact of the spill could increase if it reaches popular and tourist beaches and the fragile coral reefs that surround the Florida peninsula.
There are also concerns that huge underwater plumes of crude could be starving the Gulf of oxygen and thus harming the marine environment far more than previously thought, AFP reports.
Related articles:
- More Gulf fishing banned as oil fears grow for Florida
- Fishing ban imposed in oil-affected Gulf of Mexico banned fishing in Gulf of Mexico
By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
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