G/SCM/Q2/MEX/44  
28 September  2022 
(22-7284 ) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Subsidies and  
Countervailing Measures  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
SUBSIDIES  
REPLY TO QUESTIONS POSED BY CANADA1 REGARDING  
THE NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION OF MEXICO2 
The following communication, dated 27 September 2022 and received on 28  September  2022, is 
being circulated at the request of the delegation of Mexico.  
 
_______________  
 
 
FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE SECTOR  
 
Question 1  
 
The details of Program A (Programme for the Promotion of Fisheries and Aquaculture 
Productivity) indicate that the program is aimed at "increasing output within a framework 
of sustainability," and improving "the productivity of economic units in the fisheries an 
aquaculture sector through the provision of incentives in respect of output, value added, 
marketing and the promotion of consumption."  
 
a. Could Mexico clarify  how a "framework of sustainability" will be applied to the 
incentives provided under this program? Specifically regarding "the provision 
of incentives in respect to output".  
 
Reply  
 
Recognizing the challenge posed by poverty, the government, in 2019, made significant changes to 
social programmes (social assistance and active labour market policy programmes), focused on 
universal coverage and social pensions (non -contributory), as well as on assistance for the 
indigenous population, the elderly and peop le with special needs. These changes led to an increase 
in total social assistance spending, from 1.8% of GDP in 2018 to 2.1% of GDP in 2019.  
 
Increasing social spending and the efficiency thereof continues to be crucial for reducing socio -
economic dispari ties and guaranteeing an inclusive recovery, particularly if this is combined with 
reforms that improve employment and reduce informality.  
 
Eliminating gaps in coverage and limiting the fragmentation of social assistance programmes remain 
a priority. The e xistence of a single register of beneficiaries and the building of administrative 
capacity could reduce overlaps and improve how spending is targeted.  
 
The National Aquaculture and Fisheries Committee (CONAPESCA) currently grants support in the 
form of the  BIENPESCA Programme for the well -being of the fisheries and aquaculture sector, in 
accordance with the current public policy. This component covers the whole country and seeks to 
help improve the living conditions and contribute to the food self -sufficien cy of producers in fisheries 
and aquaculture.  
 
 
1 G/SCM/Q2/MEX/43.  
2 G/SCM/N/372/MEX.  G/SCM/Q2/MEX/44  
- 2 - 
  Priority is given, based on a gender and social inclusion perspective, to fishers and aquaculturists in 
rural areas who belong to ethnic groups or indigenous peoples, to women and to people with 
disabilities i n the municipalities located within the Tehuantepec Isthmus Inter -Oceanic Corridor or in 
areas with high levels of vulnerability and social marginalization, with a view to increasing their 
productivity.  
Since BIENPESCA is aimed at fishers or aquaculturists , enabling families to receive direct support, it 
has helped create improved conditions in the face of the current economic situation.  
 
Question 2  
 
The details of Program C (Modernization of large vessels) refer to providing support for 
the modernization o f large fishing vessels "in order to improve their productivity and 
enable them to operate more efficiently."  
 
a. How is "large fishing vessel" defined for the purposes of this program?  
 
Reply  
 
It is defined as a covered fishing vessel exceeding 10.5 metres in length, equipped with a stationary 
engine, rigging (mast, jumbo derrick, outriggers and davit), a fishing operations area and a 
command or navigation bridge that houses, inter alia , navigat ion, communication, echo -detection 
and satellite localization equipment and is also equipped with cabins, a kitchen and a bathroom. 
Fishery products may be preserved with ice or through refrigeration. These vessels are able to spend 
an average of 20 days a t sea.  
 
It is important to mention that no support is currently granted for the modernization of large vessels.  
 
b. How is "improving productivity"  going to be measured for the purposes of this 
program?  
 
Reply  
 
Given that this programme is not currently in pl ace, this factor is not measured . 
 
__________