Red Tide Concerns Sink Fish Sales at Mérida Marketplace

Is fish in Yucatán safe to eat right now? Consumers are not sure thanks to the red tide on the Gulf Coast.

Fish and seafood vendors at Mérida’s bustling Lucas de Gálvez market report sales drops by up to half. They insist they’re sourcing their goods from safe areas, but online rumor-mongers speculate otherwise. The insinuation can be ruinous.

The market, spanning 45,000 square meters (11 acres) with more than 2,000 vendors, serves as the heart of daily commerce in Mérida’s historic center. But since authorities confirmed the presence of harmful algal blooms between Progreso and Celestún, seafood stalls have struggled with customer fears about contaminated fish.

“We hope this passes soon, because if not, we’ll have to eat who knows what,” said Virginia Medina Ojeda, a longtime vendor at the market. “People come and ask if the fish is good, if it doesn’t come from the red tide, and we explain to them what they shouldn’t eat, what’s washing up on the shore.”

Despite the concerns, vendors say their prices remain stable. Medina Ojeda quoted current rates: fish fillet at 140 pesos ($7.75) per kilogram, dogfish at 90 pesos ($5), cleaned fish also at 90 pesos per kilogram, small fish heads at 80 pesos ($4.40), octopus at 150 pesos ($8.30), and tilapia at 130 pesos ($7.20).

What is the Red Tide?

Red tides are naturally occurring phenomena where microscopic algae multiply rapidly, often discoloring coastal waters and producing toxins harmful to marine life and humans. Scientists documented a 336-fold increase in toxic algae along Yucatán’s western coastline, prompting the state government to establish fishing and bathing restrictions in affected areas.

The Lucas de Gálvez market, located on Calle 65 in downtown Mérida, blocks from the cathedral, has operated since 1887 and serves as a cultural anchor for the city. The indoor market draws tens of thousands of visitors daily.

Josué Acosta Caamal from the Costa Azul fishery blamed misinformation for the severe impact on sales.

“The red tide is a natural phenomenon, only this time it came stronger,” he said. “But you can visit us with confidence: we bring top-quality products. We won’t offer anything of dubious origin; we care about our image.”

Cocinas economicas that normally purchase 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of fish now buy only five kilograms or even two, Acosta Caamal said. “We hope the red tide will subside soon so that confidence can return.”

The current red tide differs from typical events because of its intensity. Water oxygen levels in some areas have dropped to dangerous levels for marine life, with concentrations below 3 milligrams per liter indicating hypoxia. Previous research found that aquatic systems need 5-6 mg/L dissolved oxygen for most species to survive.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, red tides occur when colonies of algae grow out of control while producing toxic effects on marine life and humans. While most algal blooms are beneficial as food for ocean creatures, a small percentage produce powerful toxins that can kill fish and make shellfish dangerous to eat.

Javier Fernando Caamal from the Sosa fish market remains optimistic about closing the month with better numbers. “I don’t think they’ll go up; on the contrary, we’re trying to maintain them so customers don’t stop eating their fish,” he said. “God willing, we’ll do very well. Because yes, we’re expecting no sales.”

The state established an Interinstitutional Red Tide Monitoring and Evaluation Committee to track the bloom’s progression and determine when conditions might improve. The fishing ban could impact between 2,000 and 3,000 fishermen in affected areas.

Market vendors maintain that they sell only fresh, quality products and would never risk customers’ health. They assured buyers that seafood from unaffected areas remains safe to consume and hoped the situation would improve soon.

The red tide coincides with peak tourist season, when thousands of domestic visitors flock to Yucatán’s coastal communities for beaches and seafood. This could affect the broader regional economy beyond the immediate fishing industry, Diario de Yucatán reports.