Puerto Morelos Fishing Tournament Draws Record Crowds

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — A fishing tournament held in Puerto Morelos drew widespread participation and celebration, with 48 boats competing from across the region, including teams from Yucatán, Cancún, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel. Notably, two of the participating vessels were exclusively crewed by women.

Honoring Maritime Tradition and Sport

The event, which coincided with the Day of the Navy, was inaugurated by Puerto Morelos Mayor Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz, who emphasized the significance of the occasion.

"It is a great day for Puerto Morelos, as we not only honor the people of the sea—commemorating the Day of the Navy—but also celebrate the men and women dedicated to safeguarding our maritime zone, those who earn their livelihood from the ocean, and, of course, the participants in this sporting event," Mayor Tziu Muñoz stated before signaling the start of the Catch and Release fishing tournament.

Accompanying her at the Fishermen’s Pier were José de Jesús Espinosa Payán, the municipal secretary general; Lieutenant Hugo Marcial, port captain of Puerto Morelos; Octavio Granados González, director of the Puerto Morelos Reef Marine Park; Raúl Guadarrama García, secretary of sustainable tourism; Daniela Vázquez, the Day of the Navy queen; and Gamaliel Ek, the tournament judge.

Economic and Recreational Boost

Mayor Tziu Muñoz highlighted how Puerto Morelos continues to solidify its reputation as a sports destination, with events like this tournament driving local economic activity. The accompanying El Arrecife Gastronomic Kermes brought together restaurants offering a variety of traditional dishes, including seafood tacos, cochinita, birria, aguas frescas, and desserts, all set against the scenic backdrop of La Ventana al Mar beach.

Of the participating boats, 26 arrived within the designated time to weigh their catches, with judges also reviewing submitted videos of the catch-and-release process for additional scoring. The top three winners received cash prizes of 100,000, 50,000, and 20,000 pesos, respectively.

Additional Sporting and Cultural Activities

The festivities extended beyond fishing, featuring a beach volleyball tournament with six youth teams. The winning team, Dorados 3, consisted of Delaney Ava Bell and Christian Leandro Nahuat Uribe. A swimming relay race—comprising two men and two women racing from pier to pier—was also held, with Team Poseidón emerging victorious over Team Corales.

Meanwhile, the Puerto Morelos Cultural Center and Museum hosted a children’s painting exhibition in honor of the Day of the Navy. Young entrepreneurs also participated, showcasing their products at Parque Fundadores.

The event concluded with a greased pole climbing competition, challenging teams of eight to scale the slippery structure for a 5,000-peso cash prize.

The tournament and its accompanying activities underscored Puerto Morelos’ growing appeal as a hub for sports, culture, and community engagement.