The 2025 Fisher of the Year was announced today, and it has broken the two-time record that Chunox held. This year's winner hails from Riversdale in the south. Hector Martinez has been fishing for over 3 decades, but he's a lot more than just a fisherman. The Wildlife Conservation Society's communication coordinator explained the criteria that the awardees need to meet.
Desiree Arzu, Communications Coordinator, WCS:
"Our criteria that we use to judge, some of it includes things that the fishers do outside of just fishing so are they able to engage with their fellow peers, are they part of an association, are they part of a cooperative, do they do outreach activities, do they engage with people in their communities, are they stewards, are they doing the right thing, so to speak. So it's not just about going to sea to fish but it's also about having an impact on your community and being able to share your knowledge with others are well, so that was an important part of the criteria that for them."
"One of the things that the fishers saw with the NGOs, they were somewhat of an imposter until they decided let's hear them out and they found that the NGOs are looking for the best interest for the fishers. It's not just about what we want to do like a lot of people think that many of us are just singing for Uncle Sam or we just want funding. It's just about really connecting with the fishers and having them as the stewards and having them lead us into what it is they want to do."
Ysela Martinez, Daughter of Fisher of the Year, Hector Martinez:
"We were all excited about this. It's been something I have always thought about. Filling out the application and seeing what would happen, but I never did until this year I said, I'm going to try and see so it was a moment of excitement for sure."
"My dad's been fishing for around 35 years. What stands out to me is his leadership so for me, he sets an example and I'm following in his footsteps."
Courtney Menzies:
"The rest of the family fishes as well?"
Ysela Martinez, Daughter of Fisher of the Year, Hector Martinez:
"Yes, so Riversdale is a fishing community, everyone fishes there, the whole family."
Martinez was unable to make it so his daughter accepted the award on his behalf.
