On Mexico’s Caribbean Coast, There’s Lobster for the Tourists and Microplastics for Everyone Else

The turquoise waters off Mexico’s Caribbean coast are a magnet for millions of tourists each year, drawn by the promise of sun, sand, and exquisite seafood. Yet, beneath the surface of this idyllic image lies a harsher reality, particularly for the artisanal fishermen of Puerto Morelos. These men, who brave the unpredictable sea daily, find themselves caught in a complex web of environmental degradation, economic disparity, and illegal activity. Their high-value catches, like spiny lobster, are destined for the plates of affluent vacationers, while the fish they rely on for their own families' sustenance are increasingly tainted by an insidious pollutant: microplastics.

This stark contrast is more than just anecdotal; it's a documented consequence of the region's rapid, tourism-driven development and inadequate environmental management. The fishermen of the Pescadores de Puerto Morelos cooperative adhere to traditional practices and conservation efforts, including respecting closed seasons for vulnerable species like lobster. However, their commitment to sustainability is undermined by external pressures – rampant illegal fishing and pervasive plastic pollution that disproportionately affects the coastal waters where they catch fish for local consumption.

The Invisible Threat: Microplastics in Coastal Fish

A recent study led by Omar Oslet Rivera-Garibay, a researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, sheds critical light on the microplastic contamination issue in Puerto Morelos. Rivera-Garibay and his team conducted a comprehensive analysis of fish caught in the area, mirroring the methods used by the local cooperative members. Their findings were alarming: 57 percent of the 424 fish examined from 29 different species contained microplastics in their digestive tracts. Over a thousand plastic particles were recovered in total.

Crucially, the study revealed a significant difference based on fishing location. Fish caught using handlines in the shallow waters near the coast had significantly higher concentrations of microplastics in their intestines compared to those caught in deeper offshore waters. This distinction is vital because the fish caught near the coast, often species with lower commercial value like croaker, are precisely the ones taken home by the fishermen to feed their families. The more valuable species, such as snapper, grouper, and lobster, caught further offshore or through different methods, are primarily sold to the tourism industry.

Handline fishing, a simple, traditional method involving just a line and hook, is commonly used in these shallow, nearshore areas. It's a low-cost method accessible to artisanal fishermen but yields fish that don't command high prices in the market. In contrast, the cooperative also uses methods like the línea de rosario (“rosary line”), a more complex setup with multiple hooks used in deeper waters approximately 20 nautical miles from the coast to target commercially valuable species. Lobster is primarily caught by skilled free divers using spearguns, a method that is both physically demanding and risky.

The presence of microplastics in seafood raises significant health concerns. Rivera-Garibay notes, “These species are consumed by humans. Microplastics contain potentially hazardous chemicals, such as plastic monomers and additives, and they absorb toxic contaminants from the environment, like harmful microbes and algae that may cause illnesses in humans.” While the long-term impacts of microplastic consumption on human health are still being researched, the potential risks are undeniable. The fact that the most contaminated fish are consumed by the local population highlights a profound environmental injustice, where the economic benefits of tourism are enjoyed by visitors and external businesses, while the environmental burden falls disproportionately on the local community.

Quintana Roo, the state where Puerto Morelos is located, is Mexico's tourism powerhouse, attracting over 20 million visitors annually and generating more than $20 billion in revenue. Yet, this immense wealth does not translate into prosperity for everyone. Data from Mexico's Secretariat of Economy in 2020 indicated that 42.6 percent of the population in Puerto Morelos lived in poverty or extreme poverty. This economic reality forces fishermen to rely on whatever they can catch for subsistence, including the less valuable, microplastic-laden fish from coastal waters.

The Scourge of the 'Lobster Pirates'

Adding to the environmental burden of microplastics is the persistent problem of illegal fishing, often referred to by the fishermen as the work of 'pirates'. The closed season for spiny lobster, typically lasting four months from March to June, is a critical period for the species to reproduce and for populations to recover. The Pescadores de Puerto Morelos cooperative strictly adheres to this ban, understanding its importance for the long-term health of the lobster population and their own future livelihoods. However, this commitment comes at a significant financial cost.

Ezequiel Sánchez Herrera, a representative of the cooperative, voices the frustration felt by his members. “Look at us, we’re the only bastards who follow the rules. Right now, the sea is full of pirates,” he laments. These illegal fishermen operate with apparent impunity, ignoring fishing bans, catching undersized juveniles, and overexploiting the already pressured marine resources. Their actions directly threaten the sustainability efforts of the cooperative and contribute to the decline of valuable species like lobster.

The economic impact of illegal fishing is substantial. Lobster is the most valuable fishery in Quintana Roo, contributing around 50 percent of the state's fishing production value, estimated at 150 million pesos (approximately $8 million USD) annually, according to data from the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca). When illegal fishing depletes these stocks, it directly impacts the income of legal fishermen who rely on sustainable practices.

Sánchez describes the difficult choices faced by the cooperative during the closed season. With no lobster income, they struggle to cover basic expenses like payroll, health insurance for members, and maintaining permits. Bad weather, which prevents them from fishing for other species, exacerbates the situation. He recounts a day when one fisherman earned less than $4 USD because of a meager catch, and another day when the weather kept everyone ashore. The pressure to break the rules is immense, but the cooperative members understand that short-term gain from poaching would jeopardize their long-term future.

The lack of effective enforcement against illegal fishing is a major point of contention. Sánchez expresses a desire to confront the pirates directly but fears legal repercussions for himself and his members, while the poachers would likely go unpunished. This perceived lack of justice and protection for those who abide by the law creates a demoralizing environment for the cooperative.

Economic Challenges and Market Access

Beyond environmental and enforcement issues, the Puerto Morelos cooperative faces significant economic hurdles, particularly in accessing profitable markets. While they catch high-value species like lobster, selling them directly to the most lucrative buyers, such as large hotels and resorts, has proven difficult.

Sánchez explains their decision to stop selling to hotels: “‘No. We stopped selling to hotels. They’re the worst. They pay on credit. If we sell them something today, they pay for it three months later. Actually, three months from when you send them the invoice. How could we survive as a cooperative like that? Imagine if I waited three months to pay a fisherman for what he brings in today.” This reliance on delayed payments is unsustainable for a small cooperative with members who need immediate income to support their families.

This issue was also noted in an article published in the journal Ería, which highlighted weaknesses in the region's fishing industry structure. Cooperatives often lack the capital and infrastructure, such as adequate cold storage facilities (freezers, ice machines), to hold their catches for extended periods or negotiate better prices. This forces them to sell quickly, often to intermediaries or at lower prices, reducing their profitability.

As artisanal cooperatives struggle with these challenges, they are increasingly being displaced by larger private enterprises. These private actors often possess the necessary capital, infrastructure, and market connections to export high-value seafood to international markets, including the United States and Asia. While this global trade generates revenue, it further marginalizes local fishermen who are left to compete for less valuable catches in local markets, often contaminated by the very pollution generated, in part, by the tourism infrastructure that demands the high-value seafood.

The Broader Context: Plastic Pollution in the Ocean

The microplastic problem in Puerto Morelos is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a global crisis of plastic pollution in the oceans. Millions of tons of plastic waste enter the marine environment every year, breaking down into smaller and smaller fragments known as microplastics (typically defined as less than 5mm in size) and even nanoplastics (smaller than 1 micrometer).

Sources of marine plastic pollution are diverse, including single-use plastics, fishing gear, textiles (microfibers released during washing), industrial pellets (nurdles), and tire wear. Coastal areas, especially those with high population density and tourism activity coupled with inadequate waste management infrastructure, are particularly vulnerable to high concentrations of plastic debris.

Once in the ocean, microplastics persist for hundreds or thousands of years. They are ingested by a wide range of marine organisms, from plankton and shellfish to fish, seabirds, and marine mammals. The potential impacts on marine life include physical harm (blockage of digestive tracts, starvation), chemical contamination (leaching of plastic additives and absorption of environmental pollutants), and disruption of feeding behavior and energy transfer through the food web.

The presence of microplastics in fish consumed by humans raises concerns about potential health effects. While research is ongoing, studies are exploring whether microplastics can transfer from the digestive tract to muscle tissue, the part of the fish most commonly eaten. Furthermore, the chemicals associated with plastics, both those added during manufacturing and those absorbed from the environment, are a concern. These chemicals include plasticizers, flame retardants, and persistent organic pollutants (POPs), some of which are known endocrine disruptors or carcinogens.

The situation in Puerto Morelos underscores how environmental pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. While tourists enjoy the pristine beaches and consume high-value, less-contaminated seafood, the local fishermen and their families bear the brunt of the pollution, consuming fish from the most affected areas. This highlights the need for integrated solutions that address waste management, promote sustainable tourism practices, and support local communities in mitigating and adapting to environmental challenges.

Illegal Fishing: A Global Threat with Local Impacts

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing is a major global problem that undermines sustainable fisheries management, harms marine ecosystems, and creates unfair competition for legal fishermen. The 'pirates' operating off the coast of Quintana Roo are part of this larger issue. IUU fishing includes activities such as fishing without a license or permit, fishing in prohibited areas or during closed seasons, using prohibited gear, catching protected species, and failing to report catches.

The motivations for IUU fishing are primarily economic – maximizing catch and profit by avoiding regulations and costs associated with legal fishing. However, the consequences are far-reaching. Ecologically, IUU fishing contributes to overfishing, depletes fish stocks, damages marine habitats (like coral reefs, which are vital to the Caribbean ecosystem), and disrupts marine food webs. Economically, it depresses prices for legally caught fish, reduces income for legitimate fishermen and fishing communities, and undermines the effectiveness of fisheries management efforts.

For the Puerto Morelos cooperative, the presence of lobster pirates during the closed season is particularly damaging. It not only robs them of potential future catches by targeting breeding populations and juveniles but also creates a sense of injustice. They make sacrifices to protect the resource, while others profit illegally from its exploitation. The difficulty in enforcing fishing regulations in vast marine areas, coupled with potential corruption or lack of resources for surveillance and prosecution, allows IUU fishing to persist.

Addressing IUU fishing requires a multi-pronged approach involving improved surveillance and monitoring, stronger national and international laws, effective enforcement, and increased transparency in the seafood supply chain. Supporting artisanal fishing cooperatives that practice sustainable methods is also crucial, providing them with the resources and protection they need to continue their vital role in managing marine resources responsibly.

The Cooperative Model and the Path Forward

The Pescadores de Puerto Morelos cooperative represents a model of community-based resource management. Their commitment to respecting closed seasons and using traditional, less destructive fishing methods demonstrates a deep understanding of and respect for the marine ecosystem upon which their livelihoods depend. Cooperative structures can empower local fishermen, allowing them to collectively manage resources, share knowledge, and negotiate better terms in the market.

However, as highlighted by their struggles with market access and the impacts of external pressures like pollution and illegal fishing, cooperatives often face significant disadvantages compared to larger private enterprises. To thrive, they need support in several key areas:

• Improved Infrastructure: Access to better storage facilities, such as freezers and ice machines, would allow them to store catches and sell when prices are favorable, rather than being forced into quick, low-value sales.
• Market Connections: Assistance in establishing direct relationships with buyers who offer fair prices and timely payments, potentially bypassing exploitative intermediaries or large hotels with unfavorable terms.
• Enforcement Support: Greater government effort and resources dedicated to patrolling coastal waters, apprehending illegal fishermen, and enforcing fishing regulations.
• Pollution Control: Investment in improved waste management infrastructure in coastal communities and tourist areas to reduce the flow of plastic waste into the ocean. Public awareness campaigns about the impact of plastic pollution are also vital.
• Scientific Collaboration: Continued collaboration with researchers like Rivera-Garibay to monitor the health of fish stocks and the extent of pollution, providing data needed for effective management and advocacy.

Despite the challenges, the determination of fishermen like Ezequiel Sánchez and the members of the Puerto Morelos cooperative offers a glimmer of hope. Their commitment to sustainable practices, even when it means financial hardship, is a testament to their deep connection to the sea and their understanding of the need to protect it for future generations. Their story serves as a powerful reminder that the benefits of tourism must be more equitably shared and that the environmental costs of development cannot be ignored or offloaded onto the most vulnerable members of society.

The situation in Puerto Morelos is a microcosm of broader global issues at the intersection of environmental sustainability, economic development, and social equity. It highlights the urgent need for integrated approaches that protect marine ecosystems from pollution and overexploitation while ensuring that the communities who have historically relied on these resources can continue to do so sustainably and with dignity. The next time a tourist enjoys a lobster dinner on the Caribbean coast, it's worth considering the complex journey that seafood takes and the unseen environmental and social costs borne by those who harvest it.

The research by Rivera-Garibay and his colleagues, published in a recent study, provides crucial scientific evidence supporting the fishermen's observations about microplastic contamination. This kind of scientific data is essential for advocating for policy changes and investment in solutions to address marine pollution at its source.

Furthermore, the economic dynamics described by Sánchez regarding the challenges of selling to large hotels are a common issue faced by small producers in regions dominated by large-scale tourism. Finding alternative markets, such as direct sales to consumers, local restaurants committed to sustainable sourcing, or community-supported fisheries programs, could provide more stable and equitable income for the cooperative members.

The fight against illegal fishing requires not only increased patrols but also addressing the root causes that drive people to poach, which often include poverty and lack of alternative livelihoods. Supporting legal, sustainable fishing through cooperatives and providing economic alternatives during closed seasons could help reduce the incentive for illegal activities.

Ultimately, the story of the Puerto Morelos fishermen is a call to action. It urges tourists, businesses, and governments to recognize the interconnectedness of environmental health, economic prosperity, and social justice in coastal communities. Protecting the ocean from plastic pollution and illegal fishing is not just an environmental imperative; it is also essential for supporting the livelihoods and well-being of the people who depend on it most directly.

The cooperative's decision to wait until July to resume lobster fishing, despite financial pressures, exemplifies responsible stewardship. This kind of commitment, however, needs to be supported by effective governance and a fairer economic system that ensures those who protect the resource are not penalized while those who exploit it illegally go unpunished. The future of the Caribbean's marine resources, and the communities that rely on them, depends on finding solutions that address both the visible threats of illegal fishing and the invisible danger of microplastic pollution.

This article was originally published by WIRED en Español. It was translated by John Newton.

Further reading on related topics can provide additional context:

• A study on microplastic ingestion by fish in the region: Springer Link
• An article discussing the fishing industry in Quintana Roo: Ería Journal
• WIRED often covers the global plastic pollution crisis and its impact on marine life. For instance, articles discussing the scale of ocean plastic or efforts to clean it up provide broader context.
• Reports on the socio-economic impacts of tourism in developing regions can shed light on the disparity faced by local communities.

The challenges faced by the Puerto Morelos fishermen are a stark reminder that the health of our oceans is inextricably linked to the well-being of coastal communities. Addressing marine pollution and illegal fishing requires collective action, from international policy to local initiatives, ensuring that the bounty of the sea can be shared sustainably and equitably, free from plastic contamination and illegal exploitation.