The Mexican government is confident that the tuna fleet has sufficient capacity to meet domestic and international demand, including exports to the US, but producers are cautious about the government's optimism.
The lifting of the US embargo on Mexican tuna - although suspended until 10 March - acknowledges the fleet's commitment to protecting dolphins. And the government says the fleet must continue to comply with the International Dolphin Conservation Programme to increase its export potential.
But producers don't see how they will be able to increase international exports without sacrificing the domestic market, given the strict quotas set by the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC).
During 2002, the Pacific tuna fleet caught a total of 149,328 tonnes, about 17,000 tonnes less than 2001's record figure of 163,000 tonnes, and almost all of this tuna was for domestic consumption.
But this situation is set to change once the 11-year ban is lifted again in March.
PINSA (Pescados Industrializados) director Leovigildo Carranza Beltrán, told FIS.com that his company "can barely satisfy the needs of the local market."
The company has a 60 per cent share of the domestic market but its stocks have decreased significantly due to a shortage of yellowfin tuna and also because it recently sent its first consignment to the US.
Following modification of the dolphin-safe label by the US Department of Commerce, some canned tuna found its way onto the US market. But exports ground to a halt once more, as environmental groups filed a legal challenge arguing that the new interpretation does not sufficiently protect dolphins.
As a result, the US Government suspended Mexican tuna imports until 10 March.
Source: Fish Information & Services