Isla Mujeres Fishermen Transition to Shark Conservation Tours

A cooperative in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, is transitioning from shark fishing to conservation, offering tourists the opportunity to swim with sharks. The "Patria y Progreso" Cooperative in Isla Mujeres, previously known for dangerous shark fishing, is now focusing on the preservation of these species. Starting next summer, they will offer tourists the chance to observe and swim with these magnificent creatures.

This change was confirmed by the union president, Raziel Rivero, following the crew's conservation training. "Our crew is fully trained and we aim to commence this activity in June," Rivero said. The first tourist activities will involve potentially dangerous species such as bull, lemon, tiger, hammerhead and blue sharks.

During the last fishing season, which ended in April, no shark meat was produced. This was due to a significant drop in price, from 30 pesos two years ago to a stagnant 20 pesos. The high cost of gasoline and the scarcity of sharks made fishing more expensive. One fisherman even lamented a total loss after spending 3,750 pesos on gasoline but only catching three small sharks.

The last successful catch was in 2023, yielding 20 tons of shark meat. However, due to faulty freezing equipment and the collapse of prices, the decision was made to focus on shark observation rather than capture. This decision was supported by a civil organization and institutional backing.

Training is currently being provided to eight crew members of smaller vessels. The first "pilotages" have already taken place, which include recognizing the observation area and training in customer service and English language skills. The exact protocol for the tourist activities is still being determined, but it is expected that it will involve observing the sharks from a distance of 3 or 4 meters in areas where multiple species coexist, such as the reefs.

The crew members are excited about this transition to tourism, as it could potentially provide higher income than fishing. They will guide visitors to the feeding grounds of the sharks, allowing them to observe the animals from a safe distance. Some sharks are already known to approach divers in the area, a fact confirmed by local diving shop owners.

The fishermen, who are familiar with the area, will now swap their fishing hooks for scuba tanks. They will guide tourists to observe the sharks up close, while adhering to safety protocols established both locally and internationally. This new venture is expected to attract thousands of visitors each year, eager to see the beautiful sharks of the Mexican Caribbean waters up close.