Abstract

The exploitation of sea cucumber in the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula is considered, within the fishery legislation from the government, under non-consolidated regime. Since 2001, the development of this incipient fishery has moved into the implementation of sustainable management measures for the 2011 season. The concept of precautionary approach applied to fishing activities, involves the role of science as fundamental to the exploitation of natural resources under the premise of a biologically sustainable, economically optimal, and socially acceptable harvest. During April 15 to May 14, 2011, the fishery authority implemented a total of 61 fishing permits. We conducted a survey involving interviews applied to fishermen who got the permit, sea cucumber biometric analyses, and sampling in the fishing areas in order to determine the characteristics of the biological, social and economic benefits of this potential new fishery as a vital component of its sustainable use. The exploited sea cucumber was comprised by the three-rowed sea cucumber, Isostichopus badionotus (95% of the catch; 15 - 27 cm TL), and the remaining 5% by furry sea cucumber, Astichopus multifidus, and Florida sea cucumber, Holothuria floridana, species. The total catch reached over 1,000 tn, which benefited economically to more than 550 fishermen and indirectly to more than 1,200 families of eight fishing communities of the coast.