Regional authorities and the fishing sector have agreed on a joint route to strengthen the production and export of blue crab in Zulia state, with a focus on protecting the entire chain and ensuring the continuity of the harvest.
The meeting, led by Governor Luis Caldera and Minister Juan Carlos Loyo, brought together representatives of fishermen and spokespersons of 22 processing plants, who reviewed protocols and coordinated measures for the start of the season in the Lake Maracaibo area.
Alliance to protect the blue crab chain
The public and private sectors agreed on a common front with the aim of safeguarding the activity, maintaining transparency, and ensuring the sustainability of a key sector for the regional and national economy.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the guideline is to maintain the activity without interruptions and with all operational safeguards, taking all precautions necessary for the season to progress normally.
Sector dimension and territorial scope
The species, closely linked to the waters of Lake Maracaibo, involves about 100 species in Zulia. 15.000 fishermen, supported by a fleet of 4.000 boats and a 22-story industrial park, primarily focused on exports.
The harvesting and processing of blue crab extends throughout 12 municipalities of Zulia, in addition to specific areas of the states of Mérida and Trujillo, forming a productive network that covers a good part of western Venezuela.
Safety and quality control protocols
During the meeting, a detailed review of the export protocol was carried out, with special attention to security measures, traceability measures and product protection to meet international market standards.
The actions include verification of processes, internal audits and coordination with competent bodies, so that the season is a success in terms of quality, regulatory compliance and logistics performance.
Voices from the processing sector
Francisco MartÃnez, president of Caiproca and the San Ignacio processor, valued the articulation between institutions and companies, highlighting the business commitment with the protection of the activity and coordination with the security forces.
For his part, Mario Albornoz, from the Vikingo processor, defined the beginning of the harvest as an "atypical" moment and asked operational support to protect production, ensuring adequate conditions for fishermen, suppliers and plants.
Harvest horizon and immediate priorities
The agreed roadmap seeks to ensure that activity does not stop, maintaining product integrity and preserving the trust of international customers, strengthening every link in the production chain.
With this public-private coordination, Zulia aims to consolidate its position in the foreign market for blue crab, relying on tighter controls, greater coordination with the fishing sector and ongoing monitoring of the blue crab chain to maintain volume, quality, and sustainability.