The Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development is pleased to announce this year's winner of the CBWS Fisher of the Year 2020 Award - part of our contribution towards the 'Fisher Month' celebrations here in Belize.

Here's a little bit more about our Fisher of the Year - Mr. Jose Hiran Blanco:

Mr. Jose Hiran Blanco, (AKA "Tio Ian") was born on the 10th of April 1948 in the village of Sarteneja - a brother to 7 siblings and well known as a hard-working man. When Mr. Blanco was just 7 years old his father tragically died and ever since has looked up to his brother, Ancelmo Blanco, who raised him with his mother and was the person who taught him how to be a fisherman. Mr. Blanco has been a fisherman for almost 60 years after becoming a fisherman to help to sustain his family and to help his twin sister accomplish her educational career as a teacher.

Mr. Blanco mentioned that he is honoured that, even this far of his life, he is receiving this recognition. In a recent interview, when he was asked do you have any message of hope he replied,

"Yo no fomento la pesca, me baso en lo que una vez me dijo mi padre, 'hijo estudia y trabaja duro por lo que quieres', y esto es lo que siempre le digo a los j�venes".

"I do not promote fishing, based on what my father once told me, 'Son study and work hard for what you want', and this is what I always tell the young."

[Linked Image]