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Fisheries and aquaculture in Mexico: concessions, permits and foreign ownership

Last verified: 2026-10-26 · Status: Stable

Commercial fishing and commercial aquaculture need a concession or a permit from the agriculture ministry; fishing concessions and permits go only to Mexican individuals or companies, while aquaculture is open to any person. Foreign investment is capped at 49 percent in freshwater, coastal and exclusive economic zone fishing, but aquaculture has no cap. Fishing concessions last 5 to 20 years and aquaculture concessions 50, both renewable, and the ministry must decide applications within 60 business days (extendable by 60 for concessions).

USD conversions use MXN 18.6638 per US dollar, the US Federal Reserve H.10 noon buying rate in New York for 23 October 2026 (FRED series DEXMXUS), the latest observation available when this page was verified. Legal conversions in Mexico use the Banxico FIX, which differs slightly. Conversions are for orientation only. Fines set in UMA use the 2026 daily UMA of MXN 117.31 published by INEGI in the DOF of 9 January 2026.

Key facts

Foreign ownership cap in fresh water, coastal and EEZ fishing	49 %LIE art. 7, section III, item s), as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Term of a commercial aquaculture concession	50 yearsLGPAS art. 49, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Maximum term of a commercial fishing concession	20 yearsLGPAS art. 49, as of 2026-10-26 · in force
Time to decide fishing or aquaculture concession and permit applications	60 business daysLGPAS art. 45, as of 2026-10-26 · in force

The rule

1. Concessions and permits. Commercial fishing and commercial aquaculture require a concession; permits are needed for commercial fishing and aquaculture where the investment does not require technical and economic studies, for research, educational and sport fishing, for fishing by foreigners when surpluses are declared in the exclusive economic zone, and for landing catches of foreign vessels in Mexican ports, among others. Fishing concessions and permits are granted only to Mexican individuals or companies; aquaculture concessions and permits to any person. Grants depend on the resource's availability and favor local communities using authorized gear.
Cost to do it: Concession and permit duties are under the Ley Federal de Derechos; not restated here.
Example: A Norwegian salmon farming group can apply in its own Mexican subsidiary for an aquaculture concession in Baja California, but a tuna fishing permit must be held by a company that meets the 49 percent foreign cap. / No currency threshold applies.Ley General de Pesca y Acuacultura Sustentables, DOF 24 July 2007, last reform DOF 1 April 2024, Arts. 40 to 43, 2024-04-01 official text · verified 2026-10-26

2. Timing and term. The ministry decides within 60 business days of a complete file; for concessions it can extend by another 60 business days. Incomplete files get one written request, with 15 business days to complete. Fishing concessions last 5 to 20 years and aquaculture concessions 50 years, renewable for equal periods based on management plans and an opinion of the fisheries research institute (IMIPAS), to which holders report every two years (fishing) or five years (aquaculture). Commercial fishing permits last two to five years. Concession holders may be substituted only with ministry authorization.
Cost to do it: No statutory amount restated.
Example: An aquaculture concession granted in 2027 runs to 2077, with IMIPAS reports due in 2032, 2037 and so on. / No currency threshold applies.Ley General de Pesca y Acuacultura Sustentables, last reform DOF 1 April 2024, Arts. 45, 49 to 51, 2024-04-01 official text · verified 2026-10-26

3. Foreign ownership. Foreign investment may hold up to 49 percent in companies fishing in fresh water, coastal waters and the exclusive economic zone; aquaculture is expressly excluded from the cap.
Cost to do it: No fee.
Example: A Spanish fishing group holds 49 percent of a Mexican shrimp trawling company and 100 percent of a separate shrimp farm. / No currency threshold applies.Ley de Inversión Extranjera, DOF 27 December 1993, last reform DOF 27 May 2024, LIE art. 7, section III, item s), 2024-05-27 official text · verified 2026-10-26

Worked example

A Chilean salmon producer studying Mexico can own 100 percent of an aquaculture company with a 50 year concession, but any wild catch fishing arm must keep foreign ownership at or below 49 percent and hold concessions or permits through a Mexican company.

Step by step

1. Decide between aquaculture (open) and capture fishing (49 percent cap, Mexican holder).
2. Prepare technical and economic studies for a concession, or apply for a permit if the investment is small.
3. Expect a decision in 60 business days, up to 120 for concessions.
4. Calendar IMIPAS reports and renewal under the management plan.

Common traps

Holding a fishing permit through a company with more than 49 percent foreign ownership (LIE art. 7).
Transferring a concession without ministry authorization (LGPAS art. 50).

Sources

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