Mexico City, Mexico – Mexico will take advantage of the opportunity in the world tuna market after the World Trade Organization recently sided with them against the US, said Ramón Corral, Mexico's director of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Commission.

United States labeling rules did not allow Mexico's fisheries to place a "dolphin safe" label on its canned tuna because of a certain fishing technique utilized by Mexican fishermen which involves deliberately chasing and encircling dolphins - who often swim together in closely packed schools - in order to catch tuna.

This caused Mexico's tuna producers to lose a share of the tuna market as people boycotted tuna without the "dolphin safe" label.

Corral said on Thursday that he hopes the United States will moderate its abuses of international markets, although he added that "they might place similar restrictions on other products, such as avocado or chicken."

"Plans to amp up tuna production to maximum capacity are in place," said the director.

"Currently there are 70 tuna fishing vessels in Mexico, but about twelve to fifteen more boats are planned to enter the market," said Corral. "In 2011, 137,719 tons of tuna were produced in Mexico, which represents a value of $112.4 million," he quoted.

Corral went on to say that, "the fishing sector is not only important for providing food, but also creates jobs. The industry employs about 10,000 people in Mexico," he said, adding that roughly 65 percent of these jobs are held by single mothers.