DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇷 Argentina /Crime & Justice

Francisco, a fisherman with 40 years at sea: “I have been happy all my life, but now they treat us like criminals”

From Clarín · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • A content creator joined fishermen at sea to document workdays shaped by early starts, physical strain, weather and tides.
  • José, who began fishing at 14, said some shifts last up to 19 hours with only two or three hours of sleep.
  • Francisco, who has spent 40 years in the trade, said inspections and sanctions have made fishermen feel like criminals despite his enduring love for the job.

For the fishermen Archie Ted joined at sea, the work can mean 19-hour shifts followed by only two or three hours of sleep. José, who started in the trade at 14 and is now 26, described a routine few people imagine when they sit down to eat fresh fish.

Ted, a content creator, left his screen for several days to experience jobs that many people rarely see up close. After trying agriculture, construction and transport routes, he turned to fishing, joining José, Francisco, Carlos, Antonio and Manolo aboard their boat.

I am always keeping an eye on the catch.

· FranciscoThe veteran fisherman described how he begins a day at sea.

The work is punishing, but the crew’s camaraderie helps them endure the cold, sleepless mornings and uncertainty of the open sea. Jokes, stories and advice make the long days manageable, creating a bond that goes beyond the physical demands of the job.

For now, it is going well, we are catching quite a lot. The more boats there are, the more fish there are.

· FranciscoHe assessed the fishing conditions at the start of the trip.

Francisco, known among the crew as the boat’s skipper, has spent 40 years fishing. “I am always keeping an eye on the catch,” he says at the start of the day. “For now, it is going well, we are catching quite a lot. The more boats there are, the more fish there are.”

He says he still enjoys every part of the work. “Everything. I have spent my whole life here, I like everything. I have been doing this since I was 14.” But his pride is now mixed with frustration over regulations and inspections. “Before, we were sailors and fishermen; today they make us feel like criminals,” he says.

Everything. I have spent my whole life here, I like everything. I have been doing this since I was 14.

· FranciscoHe explained what he enjoys about a profession he has practiced for four decades.

Inspectors check the boat, its documents and every detail of the catch, Francisco explains. “At the slightest thing they fine us. That is why we write everything down to the letter; we cannot make a mistake in anything.” He says fines and penalties have become part of the routine, even as he continues to describe fishing as the life he loves.

Before, we were sailors and fishermen; today they make us feel like criminals.

· FranciscoHe criticized what he sees as excessive inspections and controls on fishermen.
About this summary

Originally published by Clarín in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog