Cultural importance of marine resources subject to fishing exploitation in coastal communities of Southwest Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Fishing is an essential activity in many countries' economies and food security, and Mexico is no exception. In the state of Veracruz, fishing creates employment and provides food for over forty thousand fishers and their families. Several of the ecosystems that support this activity are located in the Reef Corridor of the Southwest Gulf of Mexico. This study aimed at quantifying the value of exploited marine species in coastal communities from a cultural standpoint using a cultural value index. The approach allowed for a better understanding of resource appropriation and fishing resources' role in the everyday life of local communities. Fishers (221) from 10 communities on Veracruz’ state were interviewed, from Tamiahua in the north to Zapotitlán in the south. One hundred nine taxa were registered, including 87 species and six different kinds of uses. The cultural value was low in all taxa (0.00001–0.33). Scomberomorus cavalla, Lutjanus campechanus, Myliobatidae, and Scomberomorus maculatus had the highest cultural value. The cultural value was related to economic profit, age, and even first age of fishing in fisher from some communities. Cultural valuation of marine species in coastal communities enables the inclusion of fishing and natural resource cultural dimension into management strategies. It also props up conservation needs beyond ecologic and economic reasons and helps to preserve culture and appropriation forms carried out by communities associated with the reef resources.