Mexico's fishing industry leader was Murdered Baja California On Monday, the reason given was likely due to her history of speaking out against illegal fishing and extortion that has crippled the state's fishing industry.
Minerva Pérez Castro, head of the Baja California delegation of the National Chamber of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Canampesca), was shot in Ensenada just hours after declaring that illegal fishing of lobsters, abalone and other marine species was harming business owners in the industry.
We are deeply saddened by the victims of this violence in the port of Ensenada and, together with Minerva Pérez Castro, president of the National Fisheries Association (CANAINPESCA), are working to save lives.
He works in the Security Secretariat…
— Marina del Pilar (@MarinadelPilar) July 9, 2024
Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar condemned Perez's killing as a “despicable” attack.
“Illegal fishing reaches the same markets as legal products but without the production costs. [and taxes paid by a] “It's a legally established company,” Perez said in an interview in Tijuana. Television image.
Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar condemned the reported commando-style attack and said the state Attorney General's Office (FGE) was investigating.
“My heartfelt condolences go to the family and loved ones of Minerva Pérez Castro,” del Pilar said. “I will work tirelessly to ensure that what happened does not go unpunished.”
Pérez, 53, is the first female president of Baja California's fishing association and will take up the position in June 2023.
Perez was reportedly shot multiple times by an armed assailant shortly after getting into his pickup truck outside his business on Monday night. Atenea del Mar (The Athena of the Seas). Her car then continued moving and collided with a cargo truck.
Canampesca national president Miller Alexander Longoria said the “execution” was a direct attack on the fishing industry.
“This is not an isolated issue, this is not something unique. It has nothing to do with Minerva personally,” he said. “This is an industry-wide issue.”
For months, Pérez has been denouncing the illegal fishing and extortion practices suffered by the fishing industry in Baja California, and Ensenada in particular, and he recently launched a campaign to draw attention to the situation.
After her murder, reports emerged that Perez had received previous threats, which Longoria said was not unusual.
“Many of us have been threatened in some way,” he said.
The president of Canan Pesca since 2022 said Pérez's murder was the result of “disruption and insecurity” in Mexico's fishing industry and a “very serious” situation that has sparked anger outside Mexico.
He noted that members of the Latin American Alliance for Sustainable Fishing (ALPESCAS), which represents 11 fishing associations and associations in 10 countries, “are expressing their concern and saying: 'What is going on in Mexico?'”
A statement on the website said: ALPESCAS condemned the killings, saying: “The alliance is concerned about these acts, which may be linked to illegal fishing cartels and mafias, and calls on governments and authorities to focus on fighting and eradicating this scourge.”
“After drugs and arms trafficking, illegal fishing is the third most profitable illegal activity in the world. It is estimated that around 26 million tonnes of fish and other marine resources are illegally caught each year, supplying a black market worth up to $23 billion,” the report added.
Reportedly Aristegui News, Zeta Tijuana, Al Dear Dallas and Infobae
