"The Cost of Fishing" follows the Lopez family, a three-generation fishing household from Sarteneja, Belize, as they navigate the challenges of lobster fishing. Through an immersive journey with the Lopezes, replete with considerable data, the story explores the concept of fishing effort—the labor, resources, and gear required to sustain their livelihood. Fishing effort proves to be a crucial factor in assessing fishery health, but the Lopezes face rising costs, such as licenses, provisions, and fuel, alongside environmental threats and piracy.
This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published on October 29, 2024 in Climate Spotlight and is serialized via Instagram Reels. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Written, Produced and Edited by Andre Habet
Editorial Support by Sam Schramski
Illustration by Aberrant Citrus
Andre Habet
