Cozumel’s Fallen Sea Fishing Tourney Gains State Honor

Cozumel, Mexico — The fifth "Hombres Caídos del Mar" (Men Fallen from the Sea) fishing tournament is set to take place, having for the first time been included in the state's official calendar of fishing tournaments. The event, which honors deceased fishermen and fosters community traditions, aims to strengthen Cozumel's identity and attract participants from across the Yucatán Peninsula.

A Tournament of Tribute and Tradition

William Güemes Vidal, president of the "Domingo Meléndez Álvarez" Cooperative of Tourist, Aquatic, and Subaquatic Workers of Cozumel, explained that the tournament has been held for five years. Its primary objective is to pay homage to fishermen, tourism service providers, and men of the sea who have passed away. This year, five individuals will be honored.

The tournament is scheduled for October 26, and registrations are currently open. The entry fee is 4,000 pesos per vessel. The prize for first place is 50,000 pesos, 30,000 pesos for second place, and 20,000 pesos for third. According to Güemes Vidal, there are plans to potentially increase the number of prizes for the top three positions.

Güemes Vidal also noted that this fishing tournament is considered a community event. This is because a portion of the catch is donated to the organizing committee, which then fries the fish and shares it with attendees. This practice revives a long-standing tradition from fishing competitions held in decades past.

Focus on Consumption Species and Wider Reach

Participants in the tournament seek to catch consumption species such as dorado (mahi-mahi) and tuna, specifically avoiding species known as "pico" or billfish.

For this edition, the "Hombres Caídos del Mar" tournament is, for the first time, listed on the state calendar. This positions it as one of the most important tournaments in the state and broadens its coverage and reach to encourage greater participation, at least within the Yucatán Peninsula.

In the 2024 tournament, 35 vessels participated, coming from Cozumel, Puerto Aventuras, Isla Mujeres, and Puerto Juárez. The event has previously seen first-place winners from these other locations, demonstrating its growing reach. The tournament primarily targets consumption species including Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo, Barracuda, and Barrilete (skipjack tuna).