La Guaira, June 29, 2023. Press Mincomunas/Karina Depablos. – Men and women of the Anti-imperialist Socialist Commune Arrecifes in the Catia La Mar parish of La Guaira state have managed to promote the practice of artisanal fishing that takes care of the marine ecosystem and respects the reproductive rhythm of the fish to guarantee the survival of the species.
Daisy Mendez, a spokeswoman of the Anti-imperialist Socialist Commune Arrecifes, explained that this territory has a fishing pier representing the center of economic, social, and cultural activity for its inhabitants. So they took the initiative to care for the environment that provides them with the essential proteins for their food.
“In our commune, the seasons are respected. It is a small-scale fishing activity that uses traditional techniques that minimize the environmental impact. It generates less waste. It consumes less energy. It reduces the use of chemical products. Nearly 80% of the men in the community councils near the dock are involved in fishing. Fishing is in our blood. It is a family tradition trade passed down from generation to generation. In our commune, the streets smell of fried fish every day. The whole family is involved in this activity and is concerned about preserving it in the best possible way because it is our way of subsistence”, he said.
In this sense, Mendez pointed out that the community men and women have established a barter system that allows the communities to acquire different fish in exchange for products and services.
“Our fishermen and fisherwomen sell their products to the communities cheaper than those in commercial chains. From the boat to the table. For example, when it is sardine season, the workers give them away for buckets. They also exchange them for products to help those who need them most. We have great fish, and we share them because the sea is a blessing. We want everyone to have protein in their homes without having to burst the sea,” she said.
Likewise, the spokeswoman added that this commune has multiple socio-productive projects like bakery, gastronomy, tasting, confectionery, costume jewelry, cleaning products, tailoring, and sewing.
“Faced with the economic blockade and the pandemic, we reinvented ourselves. In times of crisis, Venezuelans grow. With the sanctions and the pandemic, all the women in my commune made moccasins, sheets, clothes, detergents, meals, homemade bread, and many other things. With the blockade, we reinvented. We do not stop. We continue working. That is what the Venezuelan people do: resist and work,” he emphasized.
Hands to work
The spokeswoman of the Anti-Imperialist Socialist Commune Arrecifes, Daisy Mendez, assured that the united popular power of Catia La Mar focused on a project to bring water to this territory since this parish depends completely on the population of Chichiriviche de La Costa and the demand exceeds the capacities of the system.
“We enjoy the blessing of community unity. There is unity when it is our turn to take on a task. Now we want water from the mountains, and we fight for it. We have successful road projects, public services, and education. We achieved the rehabilitation of the church. It was unrecognizable. Now the façade is made of stone. We managed to reactivate the health module with an assigned doctor. We built a small square, a pedestrian walkway with protective walls because we have the only church, state school, and health center in that space. Our commune works to live well, among ourselves and with nature”, he emphasized.
