Queen snapper

(Etelis oculatus)

It is bright red on its upper and lower sides. The size averages at about 21 inches and weighs about 3 to 5 pounds. It has silvery sides and a deeply forked red tail that continues to lengthen as the fish grows. The species lives and is caught at depths of about 300 to 1,500 ft

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She is known as Carmen from Costa or as the owner of Sun Spot at the Mayagüez Mall Carmen Rivera is a recreational fisher and current President of the Puerto Rico Sportfishing Association.

Carmen grew up surrounded by family members that enjoyed fishing, starting with her mom, who loved shore fishing. Therefore, fishing was always for her a family matter and a reason to share with her loved ones.

She became seriously involved in sportfishing thanks to the advertising and selling of Costa sunglasses. Carmen attended a lot of fishing tournaments to advertise and sell her sunglasses and, step by step, she became fully involved in sportfishing and supporting the organization of fishing tournaments.

Simultaneously, the business continued growing and, after being the manager for 11 years, she had the opportunity to buy the store. Sun Spot is one of the oldest kiosks in the Mayagüez Mall and still prevails and is visited by many persons daily.

“I began to work in the kiosk just after 20 days of giving birth. I did not have a car. Other people gave me rides from Lajas to the Mayagüez Mall,” Carmen said. She has been working in the store for 39 years; first as a salesperson, then as manager, and finally, as owner

Her leadership and managerial skills opened her a route to preside over the Puerto Rico Sportfishing Association, a position that she has held since 2014. Fishers such as Jorge Rivera, Richard Alonso, Carlos Morales, Elvin “Vinchy” Camacho y Waldemar Ramos are part of the persons that supported Carmen in her process of becoming involved in sportfishing. Carmen is always in good company in the Association. She works along with a board consisting of people from all around Puerto Rico.

“This gives me peace of mind. A member of the board is always present in any event,” Carmen recognizes.

As president she has been focused on ensuring that the Association is present in the fishing tournaments and clubs in Puerto Rico. Currently, the Association has over 300 members. Carmen is very happy with this growth and gives credit for it to the fishers and their families for all the support and good job done.

“You work all around the Island We have 9 clubs that belong to the Association. Each area is a whole different world. Each club has its specific species,” explained Carmen while recognizing that she is continuously learning

Th d her to become a member of the Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel in the Caribbean Fishery Management Council. Carmen values this opportunity and emphasizes the importance of commercial and recreational fishers becoming engaged in decision and public policy making.

At sea, her favorite species to catch are the mahi mahi and the marlin. For Carmen, mahi mahi fishing is very active and the adrenaline that produces is “the best”.

“Fishing is the best therapy in the world. These 8 hours on the high seas change my life. To feel this freedom changed my life,” Carmen ensures.

Carmen values the opportunity that fishing offers to the families to stay together. Her daughters have joined her fishing and her grandsons don’t miss an event with their Grandma.

“Fishing is a wholesome activity and is good for the youth. The moments spent fishing become a family day.”

Just like many other organizations and sectors, the pandemic affected recreational fishers and the Association, too. At present, the Association is planning activities that will be celebrated as soon as it is safe to bring together big groups of persons.

Carmen envisions to keep working for the PR Sportfishing Association and, together with the board of directors and the rest of the members, continue planning fishing events that involve family, provide learning experiences to the youth, and offer more opportunities for women to become involved in sportfishing.

*The CFMC acknowledges Carmen Rivera for the interview and the information and images provided