**Fishermen Protest Against IMIPAS Relocation from Ensenada to Mexico City**
Since September 18, the operations of the Mexican Institute of Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS) have been moved from Ensenada to Mexico City, an action that has sparked widespread discontent among the fishing community of Baja California. Representing about 3,700 individuals from the sector, the Coalition of Democratic, Urban, and Peasant Organizations (CODUC) and local fishermen believe that this move complicates essential logistical processes such as permits, renewals, inspections, and other authorizations.
The fishermen warn of severe impacts on addressing sector needs by relocating these offices. “Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum understands the significance of research for fishing sustainability. We have begun to share this demand,” remarked CODUC affiliates. The sector hopes the new head of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), Julio Berdagué Sacristán, will address this issue with empathy.
Criticism is directed at the IMIPAS director, Pablo Arenas Fuentes, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests at the expense of thousands of families along the Mexican Pacific. The fishermen argue the relocation is counterproductive, referencing Secretary Berdagué’s prior statements that Mexico City’s offices are unfit for handling fishing activities. “No shrimps or clams are fished in the capital city; the IMIPAS office must remain in Ensenada, where fishing happens,” they added.
Luis Roberto Martínez Santos, CODUC’s fishing secretary in Baja California, highlighted that 61% of national fishing requests are currently managed by the Pacific Directorate, with 87% originating from the northwest, covering Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa. The timing of this transition, just days before Claudia Sheinbaum assumed presidency from Andrés Manuel López Obrador, has been labeled “capricious.”
The fishermen fear increased bureaucracy and costs if they must frequently travel to the capital. They also expressed dissatisfaction with Cathy Valdez Domínguez, head of the Regional Center for Aquaculture and Fisheries Research (CRIAP) in Ensenada, asking for her removal due to alleged incompetence in managing over 30 sector demands.
As a potential solution, if the relocation is unavoidable, fishing leaders propose moving the office to Mazatlán, Sinaloa. This coastal city could foster closer collaboration with CONAPESCA and improve service to northwest states that are heavily involved in fishing activities. They insisted on being heard by IMIPAS’s board and warned they are prepared to protest at SADER’s offices if necessary.
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**Further Developments:**
New concerns have emerged regarding the potential economic impact on Ensenada’s fishing community. Relocating IMIPAS to Mexico City might not only create bureaucratic red tape but also strain local economies that depend on the institute’s presence.
Additionally, there is growing political pressure. The regional government officials, alongside environmental groups, are beginning to voice their concerns, stating the need for sustainable local operations rather than centralized, potentially detached management. A revived proposal suggests establishing a dedicated task force to evaluate the decision’s implications on regional fishing communities, emphasizing cooperation between federal and local governments to ensure both sustainable practices and community welfare.
This situation continues to develop as stakeholders demand actionable resolutions. Updates are expected as the national government engages with regional leaders and the affected communities to find a balanced approach.