Pérez Castro, who headed the Cámara Nacional de las Industrias Pesquera y Acuícola (Canainpesca), was killed in Ensenada, Mexico, on 8 July outside the headquarters of seafood producer Atenea en el Mar.
Aged 53, Pérez Castro was elected as president of Canainpesca in June 2023,
Speaking that same day, Pérez Castro had said that organised crime was rampant in the Mexican fishing sector.
“The products of illegal fishing reach the same markets that legal product reaches but without all the production costs related to a legally constituted company," she said.
The incident is being investigated by local police and the Baja California State Attorney General's Office, with reports stating that 30 bullets were found in her body and car.
Baja California governor Marina del Pilar said in a statement that the incident would “not go unpunished”.
Mexico secretary of agriculture and rural development Julio Berdegué Sacristán added: “I condemn the vile murder of Minerva Pérez. We must eradicate illegal fishing in Mexico.”
Ernesto Godelman, executive director of sustainable fisheries group El Centro Desarrollo y Pesca Sustentable (CeDePesca), condemned the murder of Pérez Castro and revealed that she faced a separate attack in the past.
“Minerva was a great businesswoman, exceptional leader, and great friend. We strongly condemn what happened and add our voice to the expressions of repudiation and indignation that have arisen after such a regrettable incident,” he continued.
“CeDePesca is calling on Mexico’s authorities at all levels to carry out an exhaustive investigation and not to allow this brutal crime to go unpunished. Likewise, we urge all entities and organizations with which we work, inside and outside of Mexico, to issue similar requests. CeDePesca and all its members send their support and condolences to Pérez Castro’s family, friends, and associates in Mexico’s fishing and aquaculture sector.”
