What would you like to share at the Our Ocean conference about your municipalities and artisanal fisheries?

Savings clubs are community structures that act as a local investment for women and men whose main business is artisanal fishing and agriculture. The clubs make rational use of resources and contribute to group spirit, self-confidence, and financial education, which we need most in this country: accountability and transparency. Savings clubs are the petty cash of artisanal fishermen, a source of their seed capital to develop their artisanal fishing activities.  

Also, I would like to share the protection process in development with Cayo Blanco. It is a source of life, a natural resource for artisanal fishermen, and a heritage for the Santafeños, which benefits the entire population.  

The process covers over 12 nautical miles. Food availability is guaranteed for our fishermen and the population in general. It is a magnificent opportunity to put less pressure on the mountain sector, as agriculture connects with fishing and the forest. It also cares for our water sources.

What does fishing mean to your community?

Artisanal fishing is a tradition. It is culture. It is heritage. It is a source of life and community spirit. It is the safest and most reliable way to guarantee families' income. After remittances, it is the second most important economic activity. It is parallel to the activity of agriculture and livestock.  

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What is the biggest challenge facing anglers today?

The ravages of climate change are one of the biggest challenges. Also, there are no government policies to grant them rights. The promotion of trawling threatens food security, putting local families at risk.  

What can mayors and local leaders around the world achieve by working together?

A lot. The same act of sharing experiences to make a common front to raise the voice in favor of the artisanal fishermen. Artisanal fishermen are seen as the lowest in the economy of the countries. As mayors and local leaders, we can promote public policies of municipalities and reach central governments. We can promote cooperation and twinning agreements focused on artisanal fishing and identify market niches and opportunities for commercial exchange in favor of artisanal fishing.

What do you want global leaders to know about small-scale fishers and coastal communities?

The people of my municipality go fishing in an atmosphere of harmony.  

The artisanal fishermen in my municipality are organized. They have self-confidence, which is why they prosper. We have eliminated the issue of paternalism at the municipality level. Through savings, the savings clubs are generating a social fund to develop their communities.  

The strategies of the pride campaigns that Rare implements, the competitions and incentives, and the sailing competition connect communities with their culture, serving as motivation to promote conservation actions in favor of artisanal fishing.