Over the past decade, grouper fishing in Yucatán has reached a critical state, prompting authorities to launch the “Strategic Project for Fishery Restoration.” This initiative integrates scientific research and collaboration with stakeholders to recover grouper populations and address the challenges threatening the fishery.
– A 36.4% decline in grouper catches since 2015, with only 5,092 tons recorded in 2023, according to the National Fisheries Commission (Conapesca).
– Contributing factors include unregistered fishing vessels, noncompliance with minimum catch sizes, inappropriate fishing gear, and a lack of public awareness about sustainable practices.
– Additional threats include poaching, environmental degradation, and the impact of sport fishing.
Scientific and Governmental Efforts
Claudia Durruty Lagunes, a professor at UNAM in Sisal, emphasized the project’s comprehensive approach, involving studies on fisheries, economics, and aquaculture. The initiative aims to establish a Fisheries Management Model to protect marine species most affected by overfishing.
Lila Frías, head of the Secretariat of Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, highlighted the urgency of addressing the grouper’s decline. The strategy, developed in collaboration with Conapesca and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), includes strengthening coastal surveillance and creating food security plans for fishing communities.
Community Impact
Fishermen, such as Carlos Andrés Gómez from Celestún, report dwindling grouper populations, forcing them to travel farther at higher costs for minimal catches. The species’ scarcity has turned grouper into a luxury item, with prices reaching 200 pesos per kilogram.
Scientific Findings
Research by Cinvestav reveals that despite a 20-year ban and size regulations, the American grouper remains classified as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. Overfishing, climate change, and unsustainable practices continue to hinder recovery efforts.
While fishermen express concerns that restoration efforts may be overdue, they acknowledge the importance of taking action. The project seeks to balance ecological preservation with the economic needs of Yucatán’s fishing communities, aiming to prevent the grouper fishery’s collapse.
Source: Animal Politico
