This study aims to evaluate the dynamics of key fisheries in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, focusing on small-scale and industrial fleets from 306 landing sites in Campeche and Tabasco, Mexico. The objectives included assessing trends in catch volumes, production prices, and operating costs, as well as analyzing the spatial distribution of fishing activity. We used public landing reports (2015–2023) and the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) tracking data (2018–2023). This study identified the ten principal fisheries using the Relative Importance Index (RII), which considered catch weight, economic value, and reporting frequency. The octopus, snock and yellow amberjack fisheries dominated the small-scale fleets’ catches, accounting for more than 40% of the RII. The shrimp, red snapper, and yellow amberjack are crucial fisheries for the industrial fleet. The spatial analysis of the fleet movements revealed the targeting of particular fishing areas, and the tracking data showed differences in traveled distances and operating times over the years. Our results underscore the complex coexistence between the region’s fishing and oil extraction industries. We highlight that facilitating access to technology for small-scale fleets will enable the monitoring of fishing activity, improve fishers’ security at sea, and strengthen their capabilities for better traceability of their catches.