Just 7 days into the octopus season, violence erupted along the shores of Telchac Puerto. On Wednesday, local fishermen set fire to a boat that apparently came from Dzilam de Bravo. The crew of this vessel was caught diving for small octopus.
The violence began on Tuesday, August 6th, when, with the support of state and municipal police, several Chuburná fishermen were expelled from the harbor. These fishermen had entered to unload their catch and deliver it to the boat owner.
Additionally, on Wednesday morning, a high-seas pursuit unfolded. Telchaqueños chased two boats whose crew members were diving for octopus and extracting small mollusks. This action angered the Telchac locals.
According to reports from Telchac permit holders, the burned boat and the pursued vessels apparently came from Dzilam de Bravo. Instead of using traditional fishing gear (jimbas) for artisanal octopus fishing, the crew members were diving for mollusks. To increase their catch, they even poured bleach into the caves to force the mollusks out.
On August 6th, near the harbor, several non-Telchac Puerto boats were spotted engaging in octopus diving. This further infuriated the Telchac locals.
Illegal fishing detected, authorities inactive
The violence began on Tuesday, August 6th. According to Mariano Tzab Sosa, a Chuburná permit holder, their 12 boats were fishing off the coast of Telchac Puerto. They entered the harbor to unload their catch.
However, this displeased the Telchaqueños, who requested assistance from municipal and state police. They forced the Chuburná boats out of the fishing refuge.
They can work anywhere along the coast, they say
Mariano Tzab explained to the officials that they are Mexican fishermen, their boats have fishing permits, and they can work anywhere along the coast. They are also allowed to enter harbor refuges to unload octopus.
He recalled that when there is no octopus near Telchac, the fishermen move to Chuburna, where they are allowed to enter the harbor and stay.
After unloading, the Chuburná boats left Telchac on the same Tuesday night and anchored offshore. They fear that the violence may escalate, leading to attacks and boat burnings.
