This total masks a significant change in the source of shrimp. Over the past decade, the number of registered shrimp boats has steadily declined from 2,387 nationwide to just under 2,000. The fleet faces numerous problems. Catches are meager, averaging between 80 and 100 kilos of shrimp per boat each fishing day. Last year, the start of the shrimp fishing season was delayed by severe October storms.
Fishermen also have to cope with a severe shortage of credit for repairs and gasoline purchases.
In addition, they claim that stocks are being overfished, allegedly due to clandestine fishing by non-authorized boats, and that coastal waters are becoming increasingly polluted as a direct result of the agricultural chemicals applied on the fertile irrigated farmland of the coastal plains. In the first half of this year, the company will invest 60 million dollars in opening 15 new Little Caesars pizza outlets in Mexico City, doubling the existing number. By the end of this year, the company will also be operating 51 Wings restaurants and 9 Chilis. The ruling should lead to decreased shipping costs for many Mexican manufacturers. The federal government employs about 835,000 people with a further 686,000 working in a wide variety of public-sector entities.