ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND MIGRATION IN THE LAGUNAR DE ALVARADO SYSTEM, VERACRUZ, MEXICO

Background. The fishing problem in the Lagunar de Alvarado System (LAS), taking into account environmental or socioeconomic aspects, has been analyzed by various authors, but few have addressed the relationship between environmental problems as perceived by fishermen, and migration. Objective. To identify the migration phenomenon in three zones of the LAS and its relationship with environmental problems perceived by fishermen. Methodology. Information was compiled from a survey applied to 32 Family Fishing Units. To quantify the environmental problem perceived and relate it to migration, three indicators were used: Pollution Perceived by fishermen, State of Perceived Health of the Fishery Resource and State of Perceived Health of the Environment. Results. The wetland areas have more precarious socioeconomic conditions than the area that borders the mainland, while migration and perceived environmental problems vary in each zone. Implications. Because the causes of migration are multiple, environmental deterioration has an impact on this phenomenon but does not explain it by itself. Therefore, more comprehensive analyses are required. Conclusions. There is insufficient evidence to affirm that the environmental deterioration identified by fishermen is an important motivation for migration.