Quintana Roo Aims to Boost Sport Fishing With Federal Permit Revenue

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The head of Quintana Roo’s agriculture and fisheries department met with nautical association representatives to explain a new agreement that allows the state to retain and reinvest revenue from federal sport fishing permits.

Jorge Aguilar Osorio, secretary of the state’s Department of Agricultural, Rural and Fisheries Development (Sedarpe), stressed that the measure is not a new tax or an additional state permit. It is the same existing federal fishing permit, but now the fees will stay in Quintana Roo rather than go to the federal government.

The agreement, signed last year by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa and the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca), enables the state to use the funds for sport fishing and nautical sector initiatives.

During the meeting, Aguilar Osorio said they discussed potential commitments and strategies to boost tourism promotion, improve sport fishing tournament prizes, strengthen infrastructure, and expand fisheries surveillance.

He noted that a major tournament recently took place in Cozumel and that other important events are held in Isla Mujeres, destinations where sport fishing generates significant economic activity.

The registration and payment system is already operational through a digital platform linked to the state’s Finance and Planning Department. Aguilar Osorio urged sport fishers and charter companies to complete the process through official electronic channels only, with no intermediaries or cash payments.

Permit durations range from one day to one year, he said.

Aguilar Osorio pointed to Baja California, a global leader in sport fishing, where a similar scheme generates about 70 million pesos (approximately $3.5 million) annually for the state government. Those funds are reinvested in better tournaments, international promotion, and greater economic returns.

He emphasized that sport fishing indirectly benefits hotels, gas stations, marinas, captains, crew members, shops, and tourism suppliers, underscoring the importance of strengthening the activity in Quintana Roo.