Local fishermen in Dzilam de Bravo, Yucatán, have raised concerns about the increasing illegal fishing activities that threaten the sustainability of the area’s marine life. These activities have reportedly intensified in recent months, endangering the local fishing industry.
During a meeting organized by municipal president Gerónimo Medina Trejo, fishermen from Dzilam de Bravo and nearby communities such as Champotón and Celestún gathered to address the issue. The fishermen demanded that authorities expel foreign fishermen accused of illegal fishing, particularly targeting octopus and grouper.
As discussions progressed, tensions escalated. A group of fishermen proceeded to the warehouse of local merchants César Trejo and Óscar Estrada, whom they accused of promoting illegal fishing. At the warehouse, the fishermen seized two unregistered boats belonging to these individuals. They also claimed that Trejo and Estrada hire fishermen from Quintana Roo to engage in illegal fishing activities.
The meeting highlighted the alarming decline in the octopus population, which fishermen attribute to illegal fishing practices. The local fishing community is calling for immediate action to protect the region’s marine resources and ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods.
Source: El Universal
