The crisis in the fishing sector due to the low production of grouper has not only affected the fishermen but has also endangered the “seagulls,” women who make a living by cleaning boats of both small and large vessels. In return, they receive a fixed salary and/or fish and seafood that the boat owners usually give them.
The seagulls carry out their work in the municipality of Progreso and are residents from various parts of southern Mexico. They gather at the docking areas of the ships in search of fish, which the boat owners often give away. They also perform cleaning tasks on the deck and the catch, and they are remunerated either in cash or in kind by the crew in charge of the vessels.
In an interview with inspectors from the La Caleta Pier in the western part of the city, it was confirmed that the seagulls, estimated to be around 11, have stopped coming regularly in search of fish. They only appear sporadically because they are aware of the severe crisis facing this sector.
“The seagulls haven’t stopped coming, but they do so less frequently. Most of them gather at the sheltered port of Chelem. Others have obtained permits to access the docking area of Yucalpetén, where Asipona is located, as several permit holders provide them with regular work,” said Yazira Pedro Medina.
Historical records of this municipality confirm that the first female workers of this type appeared after Hurricane Gilberto, due to the lack of employment and the decline in the local economy during those days.
The identification of several of these women stands out among the crowd of fishing workers as they are always in groups of three to five members, carrying buckets to collect the fish they receive.
Another noteworthy case is that of María González Santos, who travels from Chicxulub to the sheltered port next to the industrial zone of Chelem, accompanied by her two daughters and granddaughter, in search of sustenance to survive the day.
It is worth noting that this activity could disappear in Progreso due to various factors, such as the unsustainable nature of fishing in the port. Additionally, the reorganization of several piers has resulted in the end of work opportunities for these women, as happened in the first months of 2022.
TYT Newsroom