Federal biotechnology laboratory investment confirmed.

A Baja California official said the Mexican government confirmed a multi-million investment in a biotechnology laboratory that is expected to produce totoaba and bring sustainable development to fishermen affected by the fishing ban at the Sea of Cortez.

Baja California Department of Fishing Secretary Matias Arjona said the investment was confirmed by the executive officer with Mexico’s Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Food Marcelo Lopez.

The Mexican government agreed to pay 38 million pesos or $2.05 million for the project launched by the Autonomous University of Baja California.

The state will pay a 10 percent of the project in matching funds.

Arjona said the project is about to finish the building of Phase One and by the end of construction is expected to become in one of the most modern of its kind in Latin America.

The laboratory is expected to produce up to 1 million totoaba fish per year, becoming one of the most ambitious projects to increase totoaba fish at the Gulf of California and help families struggling with the fishing ban imposed by the Mexican government to protect Vaquita porpoise from extinction.