Organization and territorial impact of coastal commercial fishing in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve (Mexico)

Abstract

Coastal commercial fishing is a common economic practice for local populations of natural protected areas which encompass both maritime and terrestrial environments. The aim of this paper is to describe the organizational pattern of coastal commercial fishing in the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve (northeast of the Yucatan peninsula). It explains how the organization and official regulations of the above-mentioned activity are completed by the distribution of spaces of utilization, which is embedded in its socio-cultural context, and is currently being modified by the demand conditions of international markets (US, European and Asian). The research is based on quantitative data provided by public institutions and private entities, as well as on qualitative data obtained during the field work.