David Valenzuela is aware that life insurance would be an important benefit for his daily activities related to fishing in the Estero de la Sirena, in Mazatlán.
However, at this time it is not part of any artisanal fishermen's cooperative, the state of Sinaloa does not contemplate this kind of benefit and from the federal government, support is limited to the transfer of 7,500 pesos from the Bienesca program.
According to the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Program 2020-2024, there are 295,000 fishermen in the country.
The challenge of establishing life insurance has been initiated by some entities such as Yucatán, Campeche, Baja California Sur and Sonora, while others are considering the possibility.
“Safe at sea”
From February 2019 to date, the Secretariat of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture of Yucatán (Sepasi) has awarded 1,311 thousand 240 pesos in life insurance compensation, corresponding to 70 beneficiaries.
This is the “Safe at Sea” program, a support for family members of fishermen that covers 3,500 pesos per month for six months.
The average number of fishermen who lost their lives is 55 years old.
State life insurance is complemented by support for funeral expenses of 5,000 pesos per family. Thus, from 2019 to December 2022, 255,000 pesos have been repealed in these grants.
Finally, these supports include the delivery of a pantry. A sum of 296 pantries were awarded in the same period. These are six-month deliveries.
Sonora
Since its creation, life insurance has not provided compensation in the amount of 100,000 pesos.
The list of the Technical Committee of the Life Security Fund for Fishermen of the state of Sonora, whose last update in May 2021 reflects 161 fishermen signed up for this benefit.
Baja California Sur
From May 2016 to February 2023, the Secretariat of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Agricultural Development of Baja California Sur has awarded 138 life insurance claims to family members of fishermen.
These are 13 million 510 thousand pesos that have been given, mainly, to fishermen from Comondú.
Today, the number of fishermen enrolled in the register of the life insurance program amounts to 2,54 registered.
Campeche
The Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the State of Campeche has provided 50 life insurance for a value of 50,000 pesos each in 2022, the year the agency was created.
This is a derogation of 2 million 500 thousand pesos for family members of fishermen.
Shipwrecks
Some of the accidents at sea are reflected in data from the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar), whose responsibilities include rescue operations.
From September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022, Semar carried out 518 search and rescue operations with an average participation of 110 seafarers.
This provided support to 273 boats and rescued 1,401 people at risk at sea. No details of what shipwrecked people do for a living.
Back in Mazatlán, in northwestern Mexico, Valenzuela said that part of the lack of support that fishermen receive is accentuated in those who do not belong to a cooperative, he himself is an independent fisherman who expects this kind of support.
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