And, in other news...
The Wildlife Conservation Society held its Fisherman and Fisherwoman of the year awards this morning. Two nominees from different fishing communities across the country were selected as this year's recipients. Jomarie Lanza was there and here's what she learned about the winners.
Today's Nominees for the Fisher of the Year award were recognized for their tireless, committed work as fishermen and women in Belize. Their love for the sea and its marine resources truly goes beyond their occupation, and for both awardees it all began when they were both curious children growing up in fishing communities in the North and South.
Carlos Arevalo, Chunox Fisherman Chairman
"When I was like 11 years old my father passed away and I came to Chunox, a fishing community. In those times life was very hard for us, for my mother and my sisters, and so I began to see how fishermen would go out to fish and make money. I said, 'How could I be a fisherman?' In those times, you had to be 18 years old to go and be a fisherman. Well, one time I escaped from my mom with my uncle, begging him to take me at sea. He took me to the sea and it was something very surprising; it surprised me at the beginning and it made me fall in love with the sea. From there, my career as a fisherman began."
Arevalo says the nomination was a planned surprise by his son, which became an even bigger surprise for him when he was selected as the 2024 Fisher of the Year:
Carlos Arevalo, Chunox Fisherman Chairman
"Well, for me it was a surprise. Yesterday he told me, 'Father, we have a meeting, it's an important meeting, you have to be there because they called me to the meeting.' So I didn't know what was happening. For me, it was a surprise when I saw Celso. I said, 'Okay, it's a meeting, we have to go.' So he told my mother to come with us and I said something strange is happening. I didn't know what was happening and well when I came here and I saw the nomination, I didn't know they nominated me without knowing and well it was a surprise and I feel very thankful for the organization who did this movement because in one way it inspired the fishermen to work and so I know we want to give to all fishermen but sometimes it can be difficult. And I feel glad as a fisherman from the north representing right now being nominated for me is a pleasure it's something that I didn't even imagine but thanks I feel very happy and emotional."
Today's second Awardee Paula Jacobs Williams, accepted her award on behalf of herself and her sister Suzette Jacobs for the Outstanding contribution to the fisheries sector and as an outstanding fisherwoman. She spoke more about her advocacy for more female fishers:
Paula Jacobs Williams, Chairlady, Punta Negra, Fisherwoman
"She is more like the captain and the headman and I am more like the caretaker and the cook and we are in partnership together.
I always say I've been fishing from I'm in my mom's belly but from we were pretty young I'd say two three years old.
I grew up in a fishing family in the beautiful village of Punta Negra."
"Over the years I've been trying to empower women and most of all fisherwomen and I'm looking at the youths I've been in different organizations with different staff like for example the Mandy Jackson Team TIDE, I've been with the UN representing Belize as a fisherwoman. I went to New York, El Salvador, Washington DC and Florida, Mexico, Panama and so yeah."
"To me this a great thing because they have never really recognized women on a whole and I go for women most of all. The thing is that this recognition shows us that we have been doing a good job and it's proof our job works and now the world can see that we are continuing to advocate for women in fisheries not only just the fishing and thing but we want women to be in it and the younger girls we want them to start and come out and we are fighting that we can some kind of retirement scheme for the women and men in fisheries."
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