International Fisherman’s Day is celebrated annually on June 29. Although its name includes the word “international”, it seems to be celebrated mainly in Jamaica and some other Caribbean countries and territories, but not globally.
History of fishing
Fishing has been an important part of human culture and way of life since the very beginning of mankind. It is one of the few food production activities that have survived from prehistoric times and survived both the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settled life (the Neolithic Revolution), and all industrial revolutions. In addition to food production, fishing is a popular pastime and even a competitive sport.
The fishing industry is an important sector of the economy in developing countries, providing direct and indirect employment for over half a billion people. This includes artisanal, commercial and recreational fishing.
The term “artisanal fishing”, also known as natural fishing or traditional fishing, refers to traditional fishing methods used by individual households. This is the predominant form of fishing in developing countries in the tropical region. Industrial fishing is the catching of fish for commercial profit, carried out on a large scale.
Fishing is important for supporting hundreds of millions of people whose livelihoods depend on the sea, which also ensures food security, maintains fish populations and preserves ecosystems. In this regard, most fishing-related activities focus on the importance of sustainable development in the fishing industry, and also highlight the difficult situation of traditional fishing in developing countries.
International Fisherman’s Day
The origin of International Fisherman’s Day is unknown, but the choice of date is quite logical, since June 29 is the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Saint Peter, one of the first twelve apostles and the first bishop of Rome, was originally a fisherman. Because of this, he is revered as the patron saint of fishermen.
International Fisherman’s Day is mainly celebrated in the Caribbean region. There, celebrations can last up to a week, filled with various events and activities, such as symposiums, conferences, exhibitions, sports events, regattas, etc. The main goals of the celebration are to highlight the contribution of fishermen to the economy, raise awareness of the importance of sustainable fishing and strengthen ties between all stakeholders in the sector.
International Fisherman’s Day is not the only holiday dedicated to fishing. Some countries where fishing plays an important role in the national economy have a National Fisherman’s Day. Among them, for example, are Indonesia and the Marshall Islands. In addition, there is World Fisheries Day, which was established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to emphasize the important role of sustainable commercial fishing in the global economy.