Aquaculture Revolution Needed to Save Quintana Roo’s Fish Supply

The restaurant industry in Quintana Roo is facing a significant crisis due to the high demand for fish and seafood. A small restaurant alone can consume up to 60 kilograms of fish per week just for tacos. For shrimp and prawn, the weekly consumption can reach between 70 and 80 kilograms. With thousands of restaurants and seafood eateries in the region, the total consumption is measured in tons.

However, local production is unable to keep up with this demand. In 2020, over 50 fish farms in the state were forced to close due to high electricity costs and the impact of the pandemic. Currently, only 22 farms remain operational in municipalities such as Othón P. Blanco, Bacalar, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, José María Morelos, Lázaro Cárdenas, Puerto Morelos, and Benito Juárez.

The state's waters yield 3,807 tons of species such as mojarra, torito, prawn, and shark annually, but this supply is still insufficient. Armando Alvarado, president of the National Chamber of the Restaurant and Spicy Food Industry (Canirac) in Puerto Morelos, has warned that the high consumption in restaurants in Cancún and Puerto Morelos is not being met by local fish farms.

Restaurants in the area are already consuming farm-raised tilapia, prawn, and shrimp, but other products still rely on fishing. Fishing bans further complicate the availability of these products. The expanding hotel and restaurant sector is putting a strain on the region's fishing ecosystems, making the growth of aquaculture an urgent necessity.

Alvarado explains that if a supplier requests 100 kilograms of shrimp, fish, or prawn, the farm quickly depletes its stock. More fish farms would not only ensure a steady supply but would also help control costs throughout the year, prevent scarcity, and stabilize prices for the benefit of the gastronomic sector. They would also improve the quality of the product, guaranteeing uniform sizes and weights for each species.

In order to prevent the collapse of ecosystems and meet the growing demand for fish and seafood in Quintana Roo, the expansion of aquaculture is not just an option, it's a necessity.