Fishermen in Crisis: Struggling Against Nature’s Fury

Fishermen in Chiquilá are facing a challenging situation. Inclement weather has prevented them from going out to sea, and they lack alternative sources of income on land to support their families. “There are 120 of us who have been unable to work for a week due to the weather, and we don't have temporary jobs to fall back on when such conditions occur,” said Jesús Valerio Aparicio, president of the Chiquilá Fishing Cooperative.

Aparicio also noted that it's currently the off-season for lobster fishing along the Yucatán peninsula coast, which is set to end on June 30 as per the law. In this season, they can only make between a thousand to three thousand pesos per day, which has to be split among the crew, boat owner, and fuel costs. "With the Port Captaincy closed, it's difficult for us. We hope the weather will improve over the weekend so we can launch our 40 boats and support our families," he said.

Illegal fishing is another concern for the cooperative. Poachers take advantage of the bad weather to fish as they please, despite the dwindling fish population in the lagoon area. The most common species left are the grouper and the snook, and "they take what little is left," Aparicio said. He further explained that during the closed season, people from Cancún and Yucatán come to dive in their work areas like Isla Contoy or Cabo Catoche. "These people never stop working. We respect the closed season, but they don't, which is why there's a scarcity," he said.

Aparicio also highlighted the lack of control and surveillance over illegal fishermen, which leads to unfair competition. "There's more activity on the road, with operations by the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fishing (Conapesca) and the National Guard. Other fishermen have told me about the seizure of refrigerated transport trucks that can't prove the product they carry," he reported. He concluded by reiterating the daily occurrence of illegal fishing and the significant loss it causes, as closed seasons are not respected.

The Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo (Apiqroo) stated that port closures for smaller vessels in Puerto Juárez, Punta Sam, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Playa del Carmen remain in effect. Only federal vessels, such as passenger and cargo ferries, are allowed to operate at various docks in the state. In Cozumel, the partial closure for vessels less than 40 feet continues, with navigation open on Palancar beach up to Punta Molas. They also reported that navigation from Palancar beach to Punta Sur and the eastern part of the island is closed, while Chetumal remains open to navigation.