Stakeholders' perceptions of feasibility of Fishery Refuge Zone implementation in Campeche, Southern Gulf of Mexico

Marine spatial planning is increasingly used in small-scale fisheries to promote sustainability, with its success hinging on stakeholder awareness and engagement, especially in creating community-based fishery reserves like Mexico’s Fishery Refuge Zones (FRZs). We evaluated the feasibility of implementing FRZs in five Campeche communities through a mixed-methods framework addressing conflicts and six key aspects: FRZ acceptance, collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), adherence to formal and informal rules, identification of resources needing protection, suggestions for recovery areas, and measures to improve surveillance against non-compliance. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to compare perceptions between the fishing sector (fishers) and the fisheries management–research sector. Our findings revealed significant differences among the five communities in the fishing sector’s perceptions regarding FRZ acceptance and following the formal and informal rules. In contrast, no significant differences in perceptions were observed among respondents from the fisheries management-research sector. This may reflect a limited understanding among sectors regarding the implications and challenges associated with FRZs. Communities identified Octopus maya and Callinectes sapidus as the most urgent resources for protection. Isla Aguada and Isla Arena stood out as strong candidates for FRZ establishment, given their higher acceptance levels and conservation awareness. Conversely, Lerma-Campeche, Seybaplaya, and Champotón face challenges, including weak internal communication and limited collaboration with NGOs. Our findings indicate that the proposed methodological framework can guide the design of strategies for implementing FRZs, as well as similar spatial fisheries management tools in other countries, thereby enhancing key social factors and increasing the likelihood of successful fisheries management.