Mexican publications indicate that the Mexican Chamber of Fishery will press legal charges against the U.S. companies impelling the dolphin-safe tuna ban, together with the ecological group Earth Island Institute (EII). These companies have been benefiting from the embargo.
Mexico is demanding an indemnification for about USD 1 billion for compensation of damages, said Victor Ibáñez Esquer, Director of Canaipesca in Baja California.
Mexican press writes that the legal action will be taken against Chicken of the Sea, Bumble Bee and StarKist, who supported the embargo and caused Mexican boatowners enormous damage during the last decade.
Mexican industrialists will have to wait for 90 days, until March, to export their tuna to the U.S. market. However, in the meantime, they are presenting their case for arbitration before the World Trading Organization (WTO).
During the few days that the ban was lifted, Mexico managed to export 30,000 cases of tuna (48 tins each) to the U.S., informed Ibáñez Esquer.
Source: Mexican Press