A Big Octopus Catch Off the Yucatán Peninsula

The Yucatán Peninsula is known for its turquoise water kissed beaches in Cancun, Mayan pyramids and quaint fishing villages. On the Northwestern shores of the peninsula is a small beach fishing community, known as Sisal, and it was off the coast here that I experienced deep sea octopus fishing.

At the crack of dawn, one thousand fisherman gather daily in the marina. From mid-August through December, many of the village boats are after one specific catch, the Yucatán octopus. Known locally as “pulpo”, octopus is a staple in many of the excellent restaurants in Mérida (including Rosas & Xocolate and Rosa Sur), yet the thrill of the catch is a thrilling process.
The first step is bait. Catching enough crabs to take out for the day to satisfy an all-day fishing spectacle. Followed by driving the boat approximately 16 miles offshore to reach the optimal depth of 10 feet and spots known to be home for the magnificent sea creatures.

Like clockwork, the fishermen are set up within minutes to start the task at hand – gather octopus to fill their buckets. Ten to twelve lines are tied to a bamboo pole secured to the inside of the small boat. Lines consist of sisal rope with a crab attached to the end, thrown in the wavy sea. Octopus fishing results are best in an active sea.

The fisherman waits. Octopuses eventually attach themselves to the crab to feed, and the rope is pulled in. In my boat, it was myself and a fisherman. I watched in awe as he knew exactly when the octopus had attached himself and the line was ready to be pulled in. Perhaps more amazing, all the fishing is done by hand. There are no reels or fancy boats. Instinct kicks in and locally found items are the only tools onboard.

• Category

  Non-profits & Activism