Despite the tuna record catch of 2003, the Mexican fleet has registered low yellowfin tuna captures during the beginning of this year, with a 40 % catch drop during the first two months, compared to last year's figures.
Data provided by the Chamber of Fishing Industry of Baja California and the National Program for tuna production and dolphin protection indicates that while 36,576 tons were caught in 2003, during the same period in 2004 the catch reached only 25,885 tons. In the month of February, the Mexican tuna fleet registers a 50% reduction in the captures with 8,579 tons in 2004 compared to 16,969 tons in 2003.
The fleet consists of 74 vessels of which 28 are currently fishing in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, 20 boats are in the process of unloading in Mexican ports on the Mexican West Coast and the rest are moored in the Ports of Ensenada and Mazatlan.
Mexico reached an historical tuna catch record in 2003 of 183,000 tons by surpassing the 164,048 tons caught by the tuna fleet in 2002.