Abstract

The Red grouper, Epinephelus morio, is the most commercially important grouper in the northern Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, but its fishery is overexploited despite the establishment of a seasonal ban (15 February to 15 March) since 2005. In 2017, the ban was extended to two months (1 February to 31 March). Despite declining conditions of the grouper fishery, the fishermen perspective, about the ban effectiveness and associated problems to the Red grouper fishery, has never been explored. In this study, semi-structured interviews were applied to 65 fishermen from Sisal, Yucatan, from September to November 2016. Results indicated 60% of fishermen accept the fishery ban; however, 92% agreed the ban is not enough for the Red grouper conservation. About 74% would be willing to have a ban extension but these latter fishermen have major concerns that the extension may negatively affect their earnings. We propose job alternatives, such as the eco-tourism, in order to compensate possible fishermen income loss

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