Riviera Maya, Q.R. — Members of the Riviera Maya nautical sector say they are concerned about the new state tax on sport fishing. A new tax of 271 pesos per fisherman/woman has been approved in the 2025 Fiscal Package by state congress.
Francisco Fernández Millán, President of the Nautical Association of Quintana Roo, says they are starting the New Year with an appeal. He says the nautical sector is filing an Amparo to avoid having to pay another tax.
He says the collection of 271 pesos per person on sport fishing permits would be passed on to tourists and could result in the loss of competitiveness.
“The increases in costs, taxes and fees included in the 2025 Fiscal Package approved by state congress leaves the sector at a disadvantage and put its competitiveness at risk,” warned Fernández Millán.
Fernández Millán pointed out that the sector faces a challenging outlook for 2025 after an atypical 2024 marked by sporting events, elections and unfavorable weather that caused more than 90 days of port closures.
He says this has created a situation that, according to the Nautical Associates of Quintana Roo, could be aggravated by increases in costs, taxes and tariffs.
“We are meeting with each union to determine the impact in each case. We have a period of 10 days after the publication of the decree to present our objection,” he explained.
According to Fernández Millán, the federal government already charges a fee of 138 pesos per person per day for sport fishing. “With this new charge, the cost for this concept would double,” he argued.
He also noted that a 100 percent increase in the fee to enter Natural Protected Areas is expected to come into effect in coming months, which will severely impact the tourism industry.
The boat owners say that the new fee is an obstacle for them as they consider that these increases, promoted by both the state and federal governments, will seriously affect the operation of nautical tourism in the region.
“These changes represent a threat to the competitiveness and viability of companies dedicated to this activity,” he said.
He also mentioned that the private sector is already having to absorb the 12 percent increase in the new set minimum wage that began January 1. According to the head of the state nautical sector, the appeal will be filed during the second half of January.
