Mexico Eases Permit Process for Fishing and Aquaculture

Mexico has simplified the process for issuing commercial fishing and aquaculture permits, according to the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission, known as Conapesca.

The agency said the changes follow calls by President Claudia Sheinbaum to reduce red tape across government. In July 2025, Mexico introduced the National Law to Eliminate Bureaucratic Procedures, which directs government institutions to cut bureaucratic steps and promote digital services.

Conapesca said it implemented the directive through a February 26 filing in the Official Gazette of the Federation. The filing reduces procedures and wait times for 12 processes. Waiting periods for several activities, including fishing permits, aquaculture permits, permits for foreign vessels to land commercial fishery products in Mexican ports, and changes to commercial fishing concession holders, were reduced from 60 days to 21 days.

The agency also shortened the wait time for satellite monitoring registration and export certificate applications from five business days to three. Fishing permits will now be issued in less than five business days, while aquaculture facilities can secure energy quota support within five days, down from ten days.

Conapesca said the changes reduce its procedures from 79 to 18 active ones, simplifying about 77 percent of its processes and supporting the digitization of its services for fishing and aquaculture operators.