Economic and Value-added Utilization of Armored Catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.): Implications for Rural Fisheries Sustainability

Background: Invasive aquatic species such as armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.) threaten freshwater biodiversity and fisheries livelihoods but also present opportunities for value-added utilization through circular economy approaches that can enhance rural income and support sustainable fisheries management. Aims: To evaluate the economic feasibility of value-added utilization of the invasive armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys spp.) and to design a strategy supporting sustainable rural fisheries development in southeastern Mexico. Study Design: Applied research using a mixed-methods approach with descriptive–analytical and propositional scope. Place and Duration of Study: Fishing communities in the municipality of Centro, Tabasco, Mexico, between April 2024 and December 2025. Methodology: The study combined literature review, contextual analysis, techno-economic evaluation, and value chain design. Three processing alternatives were analyzed: vacuum-packed raw fillet, marinated fillet, and breaded fillet. Productive parameters, processing costs, commercialization potential, and rural implementation conditions were evaluated to identify economically viable alternatives for fishing communities. Results: The results demonstrated that value-added processing of armored catfish can generate economically viable products with positive profit margins while improving shelf life, product differentiation, and commercialization opportunities. The proposed value chain model showed strong potential to diversify rural income sources, strengthen community-based fisheries management, and improve access to formal markets. Additionally, the utilization of this invasive species contributes to reducing ecological pressure on freshwater ecosystems and supports sustainable resource management through technology transfer and rural extension strategies. Conclusion: The transformation of armored catfish into value-added products represents a viable strategy for integrating environmental management with rural economic development and social inclusion. The findings highlight the importance of value chain integration, training, and technology transfer to strengthen the sustainability and resilience of rural fishing communities.