RITMICANO RITMICANO SHARES HIS THOUG SHARES HIS THOUG
As the new fishing limits for wahoo and dolphinfish fishing become official, we wanted to talk to a commercial fisherman who catches these species. We spoke to Anthony Elizo Vargas, known as “Ritmicano,” who shared the following:
“I’ve been fishing since 2016. I fish for dolphinfish (mahi) and wahoo because they are migratory pelagic species that are abundant in our waters during their seasons, and as a small-scale artisanal fisherman, I consider it a sustainable practice since I use a small boat and fish with lines and hooks. I also catch these species for economic benefit, and I practice responsible management, which adds value to my catches.
My favorite fishing techniques are jigging and casting, but for commercial fishing I use steel line and live bait. As for preparing these fish, I like them raw, in ceviche, marinated, and breaded.
I think that the established catch limits and size restrictions are important for conserving and ensuring the survival of the species. However, they must go hand in hand with educational campaigns on the subject for the general public to learn more about the life and habitat of the species. We need people to understand how the size and limit decisions are made.”