Their function is to help restore fish populations.
Gobierno de México
Mexico's National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) has established three new Fishing Refuge Zones (ZRP) in the Boca del Álamo–Punta Pescadero corridor, located in the municipality of La Paz, Baja California Sur.
Fishing Refuge Zones are designated marine areas where fishing activities are partially or fully restricted in order to protect fishery resources and support the recovery of fish stocks and other marine species.
The measure was introduced at the request of local fishing cooperatives and with community support to help restore commercially important fish stocks.
The Mexican Institute for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS) also supported the initiative, providing technical expertise to help protect fishery resources.
The Fishing Refuge Zones will remain in place for five years and are expected to support the recovery and growth of a wide range of commercially important fish and marine species.
According to the government, the measure fulfills President Claudia Sheinbaum's commitment to respond "directly to the needs of the fishing and aquaculture sectors while protecting marine ecosystems and the species that inhabit them, helping to strengthen food security for coastal communities that depend on fishing."
In March this year, the government reduced the processing times for various fishing and aquaculture permits to streamline administrative procedures and support fishing and aquaculture activities.
Conapesca reported that these changes have simplified 77% of the agency's administrative processes, reducing the number of active procedures from 79 to 18.
