Mexico is concerned about the 2004 tuna catches so far. The Mexican fleet's tuna catches have amounted to only 87,384 tons until August 31st. This is a figure way below the one registered during the same period last year, when the fleet reached 127,386 tons catch reported the National Commission for Fishery and Aquaculture Industry (CANAIPESCA).
The 40,000-ton drop registered until August 31st this year is blamed on several climatic factors, which caused fish schools to move away from the coast to deeper waters. Also, there has been a shortage in sardine and mackerel, two of the main tuna feeds.
During August, tuna catches registered 11,474 tons, whereas during the same month of 2003, a total 19,781 tons, which were landed mainly in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Ensenada, Manzanillo, Colima, and San Carlos.
The decline in catches of this species reflects an increase in canned tuna prices, a situation that may favor Manzanillo and Mazatlán, as both cities are headquarters for Mexico's main canneries.
Meanwhile, in Ensenada, some tuna vessels are being used for the transport of bluefin tuna destined to the fattening farms.
The sector estimates catches to remain stable and are therefore unlikely to reach the average annual tuna catch of about 120,000 tons to cover the national market’s demand of 110,000 tons per annum.