ABSTRACT
Traditionally, the nine species of freshwater turtles reported for Tabasco are exploited despite being listed under some status of vulnerability by Mexican and international legislation. Ex situ production under the principles of aquaculture is an alternative for their conservation and use. This activity is governed under the terms of the General Wildlife Law (LGVS) in Mexico and its use is linked to management units for wildlife conservation (UMAs). In Tabasco, the reproduction of turtles has been documented since 1978 with the first production unit (Granja de Nacajuca); by 2019, the number had increased to 81 units. Despite the successes in relation to production, great challenges are faced in ensuring the permanence of this sustainable use scheme and decreasing the pressure on wild populations. Due to the commercialization of products, traditional assessment based on direct use is not the most accurate way to evaluate these spaces that meet multiple objectives in the social and environmental fields. This work presents information that will allow UMAs to be valued as spaces that link the population with wildlife conservation policies, as well as areas of opportunity in the face of complex environmental and social scenery.
