Something’s fishy on Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Beach near Velasquez Restaurante

Isla Mujeres, the Island of Women, is surrounded by water and fish, lobsters and conch. Until the tourism boom in the 1980s, the traditional occupation was fishing.  

Even now, around dawn, the open deck panga-style fishing boats and crews head out to pull in the hopefully heavy nets.  

If they are lucky, four or five fishermen per boat will be needed to haul the nets in.  

In the evening, the reverse happens, the fishing crews return to their favourite locations and reset the nets for the night, hoping for a successful catch.

Looking for the Lady Fish run

When the weather turns grumpy, the Port Captain closes the port, restricting the size of the boat that can leave the harbor until he gives the okay to leave.  

These are the days when most island restaurants will tell you that there is no fish on their menu that day.  

Others might have a supply of frozen fish from previous catches, and still others might substitute with Vietnamese Basa, a river-caught fish, uniform in shape and softer in texture. 

Cleaning and repairing nets

Basa is not my favourite, and I usually change to something that does not include fish.

The good thing about a port closure it gives the fishermen time to repair and clean their nets. 

Sometimes you will see them on the beach north of Velasquez Restaurante on Rueda Medina. 

They string the nets between palm trees, searching for rips, pulling off bits of seaweed that have been snagged in the weave.  

Weaving a new net

On very stormy days, the net-mending takes place under covered domes, where, after school basketball games, normally happen.  

Watching the fishermen repair tears in the netting is very reminiscent of the folks who weave hammocks.  

Holding a wooden bobbin in one hand and a tough nylon line in the other, their hands weave in and out, neatly filling in the torn area.  It’s a beautiful skill.

Working whenever the weather allows the small open boats to ply the waters, hauling in fish, cleaning the catch at the end of the day, and repairing nets on the stormy days in preparation for the next day’s work. 

Cleaning the catch 

 It’s a physically demanding job that at times can be dangerous, but for those who do the work, there is no other job that gives them so much enjoyment.

As you enjoy your freshly caught fish in a local restaurant on Isla Mujeres, think about the folks who make that tasty meal possible.  

Cheers from Paradise

Lynda, Lawrie, Sparky, and Thomas

At the end of the day, cover photo Tangled Isla

Isla Mujeres Mystery Series

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