Small-scale fisheries (SSF) in Mexico hold economic and cultural significance. However, detailed demographic data on fishers remains scarce. This study examined socioeconomic and fishing-related factors based on 218 surveys (90% men, 10% women) conducted across 12 coastal localities in Tabasco and Campeche. The age of the fishers ranged from 15 to 85 years, with an average of 52 ± 15 years for men and 47 ± 13 for women. Fishing was the primary occupation for 52% of fishers. Education levels were low, with 50% having completed only primary education. Approximately 65% and 62% of fishers in Tabasco and Campeche, respectively, operated without official fishing permits. Monthly incomes ranged from USD 49 to 349 (MXN 1000–7000). Fishers identified 44 commercially important fish species, two species and two groups of elasmobranchs (sharks), five crustacean types, and three mollusk species. Species with the highest economic value included red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus), snook (Centropomus spp.), and vermilion snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens). Low education, economic hardship, advanced age, and lack of permits complicate the implementation of measures to reduce fishing effort, as these factors threaten fishers’ livelihoods. Addressing marginalization and political exclusion through integrated approaches is crucial for improving fishers’ quality of life and enhancing fisheries management.