Five federal agencies inspected 15 seafood distribution points across Mexico, including one in Tijuana, to verify the legal origin and sanitary compliance of imported shrimp and other shellfish products.
The operation involved Conapesca (the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fishing), the National Guard, COFEPRIS (the Federal Commission for Protection Against Health Risks), AGACE (the General Customs Agency), and Senasica (the National Service of Agri-Food Health, Safety, and Quality). Inspectors checked documentation, sanitary permits, and proof of legal origin at each establishment.
Targeting Illegal Shrimp at Distribution Points
Authorities focused on verifying that shrimp, fish, and other seafood products at the 15 locations entered the country through proper customs channels. They also confirmed whether distributors held the required health and traceability paperwork. The final results of the inspections have not yet been reported.
The multi-agency sweep comes during a period of intensified federal action against illegal fishing and seafood trafficking in Mexico. During the first six months of 2025, Conapesca and the Mexican Navy seized 4,266 tons of illegal fishing gear and products nationwide, along with 7,689 pieces of fishing equipment, 220 vehicles, and 107 small boats. That campaign referred 15 individuals to prosecutors.
Broader Pressures on Mexico’s Seafood Industry
Mexico’s shrimp sector faces growing international scrutiny as well. On August 29, 2025, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service banned Mexican seafood exports from 21 high-risk fisheries, including shrimp and shark operations in the Gulf of California and Pacific Ocean. Those fisheries failed to meet U.S. marine mammal protection standards, particularly regarding endangered vaquita porpoises.
In 2024, the United States imported nearly 99,000 tons of seafood from Mexico valued at over $596 million (roughly 11.9 billion pesos). Pacific wild shrimp alone accounted for more than 4,878 tons worth $67 million (about 1.34 billion pesos). The new U.S. import restrictions could push more Mexican shrimp into the domestic market, making enforcement of legal sourcing within Mexico all the more important.
Organized crime has long been involved in Mexico’s illegal shrimp trade. A 2022 Brookings Institution report documented how the Sinaloa Cartel has orchestrated shrimp poaching during closed seasons in the Gulf of California, using fleets of 200 to 300 small boats called pangas.
For Baja California, where Tijuana and Ensenada serve as major seafood hubs, the inspections target a supply chain that runs from ports to wholesale distributors to retail fish markets and restaurants. No seizures or violations from the current operation have been publicly announced. The original report was published by Ensenada.net.