The Mexican government welcomed a U.S. decision that will allow Mexican fisheries to export tuna to the U.S. under "dolphin-safe" labels.
The decision announced on Tuesday by the U.S. Commerce Department is expected to give Mexican tuna fisheries greater access to the U.S. market.
In a news release, Mexico’s Agriculture Department described the decision as a "significant advance", and that the "effective lifting of the tuna embargo" depends on the decision sticking.
"It is hoped that tuna markets other than the United States also have an effective opening, and that the distortions the tuna trade has suffered for years will end," the release said.
Mexican tuna fishers won't be required to change their encirclement method, which involves locating tuna by chasing and netting dolphins that swim with tuna schools.
Mexico produced about 145,000 U.S. tons of tuna in 2001, and exported 20,500 tons, according to Agriculture Department data. Spain was the biggest importer of Mexican tuna in 2001.
In the first nine months of 2002, Mexico's accumulated tuna production was 115,000 tons.