The Cost of Fishing

“The Cost of Fishing” by André Habet 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, 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.

Written, Produced and Edited by Andre Habet

Editorial Support by Sam Schramski

Illustration by Aberrant Citrus

Produced with support from the Earth Journalism Network.