In the waters off Paita, Peru, a story of resilience and challenge is unfolding, poignantly captured in the podcast series “The Catch.” This enlightening series explores the plight of local artisanal squid fishermen as they navigate the daunting presence of Chinese factory squid boats. These fishermen of Paita, deeply rooted in Peruvian maritime culture, engage in sustainable fishing practices passed down through generations. However, their small-scale, eco-friendly methods starkly contrast with the large-scale, profit-driven operations of the Chinese fleets. These industrial vessels not only threaten the squid population but also severely undercut the livelihoods of Paita’s local fishermen. The podcast delves deep into this David and Goliath battle, highlighting the economic disparities and ecological crises impacting global fishing communities. For a deeper understanding of these complex dynamics and their impact on small-scale fishermen, I highly recommend listening to the entire series of “The Catch” on your favorite podcast app – it’s an eye-opening exploration of the intricate balance between tradition and modernity in the world of commercial fishing.
Via Spotify:?
The race to catch squid off the coast of Peru is increasingly pitting local artisanal fishers against huge multinational fleets. Host Ruxandra Guidi, along with her Lima-based reporting partner Simeon Tegel, travel to Paita, Peru, to get a firsthand look at one of the country’s top fisheries: squid.
We begin with Lima-based reporter Dan Collyns as he joins the Peruvian Coast Guard as they patrol Peru’s waters and work to prevent illegal fishing. We hear from local fisherman Eduardo Garcia, Javier Chiroque, and Atias Aguilar on what it’s like to be out at sea day-in and day-out. And finally, we then hear from Edwin Houghton, the president of the Paita Fishing Boat Owners’ Association on why the Peruvian government should do more to help these fishermen.