Andrés Maldonado with a lobster he caught. Photo by Fabiola Torres.
Andrés Maldonado, a fisherman by profession, helps structure the fishing industry into a collaborative one through frequent communication with environmental agencies, as well as recapping how influences can benefit the system.
His passion for the sea began at the early age of 5 to 6 years old. Maldonado tells how the series, “Sea Hunt”, inspired his life, as well as fueled his curiosity for the seabed.
“Curious and mischievous” describes the fisherman, after going diving for the first time as a teenager and seeing six dolphins, he followed them without any precaution. Today he says that it is one of the most beautiful memories he has. His father was passionate about the woods, which motivated him to seek a passion of his own, which he found in the waters.
Among his contributions to the industry, in the 1990s, thanks to Maldonado's help, it was possible to identify the appropriate fishing seasons for mackerel and change the previously established fishing seasons.
“In the 90s was when I got involved with the management of the fishery authority because I saw that the biologists were saying something, but I as a fisherman saw something else. I thought that if we have a dialogue and they understand something, things will change, and they have. We have been able to make them understand. It is not the same thing to visualize everything from a studio once a week or once a month, than to see it five or six days a week for hours. In those moments we see things that they don't see and this was one of the things that motivated me to fish, which is what I live from. I want to be able to conserve fishing, as well as the resource,” said Andrés Maldonado, Puerto Rican fisherman.
As he tells it, the American territories in the Caribbean reached an agreement on a closed season from June 1 to September 30 of each year for carrion; however, Maldonado believed that the correct times were between September and October.
After investing in an underwater camera, he photographed enough evidence to prove his case. He also took the time to write down the quantities and species he saw and send them to the DNER and other fishing associations.
After his efforts, he meets with the secretary of the DRNA, accepts new tests and changes the ban after the results are the same as those of Maldonado.
“I understand that they have the best intentions in the world, that's why they do what they do, but many times they don't have the time or the facilities to understand the marine environment. We fishermen don't have the study, but we do have the time, and if we are careful in observing our surroundings, we can both complement each other,” Maldonado said.
He also explains that the important data to keep in mind when fishing are the seasons, the seasons of the year, the position of the moon, the species, etc. To learn to be a good fisherman, you must know well the species you plan to interact with. For example, the abundance or where they are usually fished, among others.
Among his efforts to help, when Maldonado encounters any species of grouper (Epinephelus spp.) which are in danger of extinction, marks the area and notifies marine experts.
Finally, Maldonado is very confident that future generations will help the environment and marine species. He believes that the interest that young people have in learning will be a big part of improving society.