Outstanding Fisherfolk Recognized

The Fisher of the Year Award Ceremony was held in Belize City this morning to acknowledge fisher folks, men and women, who have been outstanding in their effort to secure sustainable small-scale fisheries.  The event was held at the Coastal Zone Training Room where representatives from the Wildlife Conservation Society, as well as other stakeholder organizations were present.  Receiving the award for Fisher of the Year 2016 was Cesar Munoz from the Corozal District.  Guadalupe Lampella, who is also from up north, was recognized as Outstanding Fisher Folk for this year.  Both were on hand at the award presentation.

Cesar Muñoz, Fisherman of the Year 2016

“It’s really a motivation for us as fishermen, especially like in my village, it will motivate the other fishermen to respect some of the regulation and awareness that we have concerning the fishing resources and benefit that we get from being a fisherman.”

Cesar Muñoz

Reporter

“Now sir, we understand that this is a long time coming for you, you have taken on conservation and [other environmental initiatives].”

Cesar Muñoz

“Oh yes, being a fisherman and my personal belief is that we need to take care of the resources because I can say I’ve seen good times when there was an abundance of production but after a while it began declining very, very fast.  But as we started in the year 2000 and I’d say 2005, 2007, when we get to organize then we are seeing the coming back of the product and the researchers again.  So it’s good for us to have programs like this and fishermen will listen and hopefully they understand the importance of the event.”