Abstract

Many people participating in the Yucatan, Mexico sea cucumber (Isostichopus badionotus) fishery come from inland communities and from other states, staying on the coast during fishing seasons. Hookah diving (HD) as a fishing method is a source of decompression sickness (DCS), carbon monoxide poisoning (COP), disabilities and death. Considering the HD risks, the aim of the study was to identify the socioeconomic cost and the risk perception of I. badionotus fishers. The study was undertaken in two ports of the Yucatan northeastern coast during the 2017 fishing season. Yucatan inland and foreign (other states) fishers were surveyed about the fishery (catch per trip, catch value and fishing variable costs), stay expenses, diving accidents and HD risk perception. Participants mean age was 33(±12) and range between 16 and 55 years-old, 76% were foreign fishers and the remain-ing from Yucatan inland communities. Per fishing trip, the mean catch was 130(± 47) kg and the revenue was US$79(±37), five times the incomes with scale species at their homeland. The main expenses were gasoline (36%), bedroom rent (13%), round trip ticket (8%), DCS insurance (2%), ice (10%) and meals (30%). Fishers agreeing that DCS is the main cause of accidents with a possible likelihood of occurrence also agree that COP is a source of risk but considered as an unlikely likelihood of occurrence. Comparing risk perception of chronic diseases and its relation with diving-related accidents, the Yucatan inland fishers’ perception was higher than the perception of foreign fishers. Regarding the labor issues, contract and life insurance are null, only a few employers sell DCS treatment insurance (US$50). Economic incentives of the sea cucumber fishery drive the migration to the coastal area besides the risk of diving and the lack of formal labor contracts.

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