FISHER OF THE MONTH - Joel González

Joel González González is a commercial fisherman from Aguada, Puerto Rico. He has been fishing since he was 5 years old. His grandfather was a lifelong fisherman. Joel learned how to fish from several local fishers in Aguada, particularly those who cast nets.

He prefers to use seine nets, hook and line. For the most part, Joel catches silk snappers, queen snappers, and different species of tunas. His fishing companion has a special permit allowing queen snapper capture

Joel is the President of the Aguada Fishers Association and a member of the CFMC Puerto Rico District Advisory Panel since 2022. For him, this has been an experience, rich in learning and personal growth

“I’ve enjoyed being able to listen to fishers from other areas who use different fishing styles; just like I’ve enjoyed listening to scientists who have very important information for us. This scientific information is necessary for us to continue collaborating and contributing with our own experiences during our careers at sea,” he stated.

Just like many other fishers, Joel is disturbed by the current state of our marine and coastal resources.

“There are many things that worry me One of them is coastal erosion and the issue of all the construction along the coasts. This makes things difficult for fisherfolk since it impedes our access to the sea. Places that were excellent to fish in can no longer be used, since there’s no more space for you to go and do what you know. Also, lots of species have been hurt by what we’ve done to our local bodies of water. This is a major concern for myself and for my colleagues,” he explained.

Joel hopes to continue fishing for a long time and collaborate with the fishers in the District Advisory Panel.

Note: The CFMC likes to thank Joel González for the interview and the photo he provided for this bulletin