Fishing Among Socioecological Challenges: The Case of the Zimapán Dam

Authors

Brenda Rodríguez-Cortés; Karina E. Ruíz-Venegas; Martín López-Hernández, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico; Alejandro Gómez-Ponce, National Autonomous University of Mexico; Fernando Córdova-Tapia, National Autonomous University of Mexico

Synopsis

The Global Climate change crisis urgently demands a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of aquatic systems. In this study, we analyzed the Zimapán Dam, a relatively recently created ecosystem distinguished by its high complexity and distinct anthropization, where fishing is intricately connected with ecological, environmental, and social factors. We updated the list of fish species present in the dam and analyzed daily registers of the “13 de Junio” Fishing Cooperative, aiming to comprehend the dynamics of fishing activity. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fishers to capture their perceptions of the situation, identify underlying causes, and explore potential solutions. The fish community is composed of eight species and two subspecies identified as exotics. On average, during the study period, the catch per unit effort of tilapia was 10 kg per fisher per day. The fishing activity has experienced notable variations over time, lacking evident consistency and was influenced by various factors. Several causes for the decrease in fishing and the gradual abandonment of the activity due to lack of profitability were pointed out by the interviewees, primarily the presence of black bass. This study underscores the need for integrated approaches and collaborative solutions addressing both the ecological problems and social dimensions of fishing. Ecosystems like the Zimapán Dam will become increasingly important in the context of global change; therefore, understanding them as key ecosystems on which we will depend in the near future is essential.

Author Biographies

Brenda Rodríguez-Cortés

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2081-282X

Graduated in Biology from the Faculty of Higher Studies Zaragoza at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She is a passionate woman dedicated to the study of life and its environments, with a deep interest in understanding ecosystem dynamics. Throughout her professional training, she has been involved in various projects, primarily focused on the impact of human activities on freshwater ecosystems.

Karina E. Ruíz-Venegas

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0978-5293

Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Faculty of Sciences at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Her studies at the Faculty focused on sustainable development on one hand, and ion channel physiology on the other. Additionally, she supplemented her education in social sciences and the ethics of science at Osaka University.

Martín López-Hernández, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2207-7071

Biologist and PhD in Biology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. Currently working on the study of limnology on tropical rivers and dams highly polluted with untreated wastewaters, and macroinvertebrate as bioindicators of ecosystem health. Participation in editorial committees of scientific journals.

Alejandro Gómez-Ponce, National Autonomous University of Mexico

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5094-1787

Biologist graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, with a Master’s degree in Aquatic Resources and a PhD in Sciences in Ecology and Management of Tropical Ecosystems. I am currently working on the study of the Ecology of zooplankton in coastal lagoons as indicators of ecosystem health. I have collaborated in more than 60 research projects and have published more than 40 articles in high-impact journals at an international level. I currently coordinate the academic activities of a station of the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology of the UNAM, in Campeche, Mexico.

Fernando Córdova-Tapia, National Autonomous University of Mexico

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5176-261X

Researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences and Limnology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, focusing on the ecology of water bodies and the environmental impacts of human activities. I hold a PhD in Ecology with honors and have been recognized with the National Youth Award in Environmental Protection.

The cover features a photograph of a river surrounded by lush trees at sunset, with sunlight piercing through the branches to create glints of light. Overlaying the image is the title 'Topics of limnological research in Mexico' and the coordinator's name, Alfredo Pérez Morales. The University of Colima editorial seal is displayed at the bottom.

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Charpter 18

Volume

Topics of Limnological Research in Mexico

Pages

361-378

Published

December 8, 2025

Series

In Good Plan

Categories

Copyright (c) 2025 Copyright will be automatically assigned to Alfredo Pérez-Morales (Author); Gerardo Hernández-Flores, Martha Angélica Gutiérrez-Aguirre, Adrián Cervantes-Martínez, Martín López-Hernández, Fernando González-Farías, María Guadalupe Ramos-Espinosa, Fernando Córdova-Tapia, Mario Alejandro Gómez-Ponce, José Antolín Aké-Castillo, Miriam Guadalupe Ramos-Escobedo, Eduardo Aranda-Delgado, Blanca Esther Raya-Cruz, José Luis Alanís-Méndez, Carlos Francisco Rodríguez-Gómez, Karla Cirila Garcés-García, Juan Alfredo Gómez-Figueroa, Carlos Antonio Poot-Delgado, Jaime Rendón-von Osten, Yuri Okolodkov, Patricia Margarita Valdespino-Castillo, Jorge Alberto Ramírez-Zierold, Rocío Jetzabel Alcántara-Hernández, Mariel Barjau-Aguilar, Mario Alberto Neri-Guzmán, Paola Julieta Cortés-Cruz, Oscar Alejandro Gerardo-Nieto, Martín Merino-Ibarra, Gabriela Vázquez, Angeles Rosseth Cruz-Ramírez, Gloria Garduño-Solórzano, José Manuel González-Fernández, Valeria Naomi Barranco-Vargas, Karla De la Luz-Vázquez, Cristian Alberto Espinosa-Rodríguez, Laura Valdés-Santiago, José Luis Castro-Guillén, Jorge Noé García-Chávez, Cynthia Paola Rangel-Chávez, Rosalba Alonso-Rodríguez, Alejandra Sarahí Ramírez-Segovia, Juan Gualberto Colli-Mull, Rafael Vargas-Bernal, Rosaura Mayén-Estrada, Carlos Alberto Durán-Ramírez, Fernando Olvera-Bautista, Francisco José Torner-Morales, Cesar Alejandro Zamora-Barrios, Araceli Adabache-Ortiz, Mario Joshue Espinosa-Hernández, Manuel Castillo-Rivera, Lorena Violeta León-Deniz, Juan Juárez-Flores, Frida Sabine Álvarez-Solís, José Francisco Miranda-Vidal, Víctor Manuel Romero-Niembro, José María Ahuatzin-Hernández, Michael Anai Figueroa-Sánchez, Brenda Rodríguez-Cortés, Karina E. Ruíz-Venegas, Rosa Martha Moreno-Gutiérrez, Gerardo Guerrero-Jiménez, Uriel Arreguín-Rebolledo, Marco Antonio Jiménez-Santos, Omar Alfredo Barrera-Moreno, Lizbeth Cano-Parra, Everardo Barba-Macías, José Cristóbal Román-Reyes, Elaine Aguilar-Nazare, Marcelo Silva-Briano, Cinthia Trinidad-Ocaña, and Rocío Natalia Armas-Chávez (Chapter Author) upon publication.

License

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How to Cite

Rodríguez-Cortés, B. ., Ruíz-Venegas, K. E. ., López-Hernández, M. ., Gómez-Ponce, A., & Córdova-Tapia, F. . (2025). Fishing Among Socioecological Challenges: The Case of the Zimapán Dam. In A. . Pérez-Morales, Topics of Limnological Research in Mexico (pp. 361-378). University of Colima. https://www.libros.ucol.mx/index.php/dgp/catalog/book/175/chapter/256