Mérida, Yucatán — The octopus fishing season opens Aug. 1 in Yucatán, representing the main economic expectation for the fishing sector as the grouper fishery struggles and the lobster season has just begun, according to Lila Frías, head of the state’s Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Secretariat (Sepasy).
Frías emphasized that octopus is currently the state’s most important commercial fishery by volume, economic relevance, and cultural value, and is a product native to Yucatán’s coast.
“It is certainly the most important commercial fishery that Yucatán has today because of its abundance and economic relevance, and because it is a product with geographical identification,” she said.
The season is expected to involve around 600 large vessels, mainly from the port of Progreso, as well as more than 4,000 smaller boats dedicated to the activity.
Frías noted that octopus fishing remains largely artisanal, both in the tools used and the techniques employed. “The octopus fishery is artisanal,” she explained. “In fact, the fishing gear — the jimba and everything used — is made by hand.”
Last season, the fleet reached the 32,000-ton limit corresponding to the established quota. For the current cycle, the National Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (Inapesca) is expected to determine the allowed volume based on studies and monitoring of the species.
Frías acknowledged that expectations are high among fishermen because the grouper fishery is in a difficult situation and the lobster season is just a month old. “Our great hope and great economic expectation is octopus,” she said.
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