14 November 2019 (TATOLI) – Fishermen Benedito Alves Pereira knows his life at sea gets hard when the swells pick up.
The Liquiçá fisherman, 35, has been working the Tasi Feto (north) coast since 1998.
“Big waves are risky for fishermen. But we have to be patient because this is life. Sometimes we feel sad, sometimes we don’t feel sad because we are used to it, but whatever happens, we have to accept the consequence,” he said.
Bendito has only ever fished the waters of Maumeta Beach. And when conditions are good, he catches a lot.
“A good income depends on the sea conditions. Today, for example, I made $25, but sometimes I get $50 to $60 per day, or $100. The money is used to support my family financially,” he told TATOLI.
But he also said he’s never once received government assistance for his work.
“We did submit a proposal to the government, but we haven’t received any response. In some other districts [people] submitted proposals but they [did] received a response from the government to support their businesses,” he said.
He says he’s still awaiting the outcome of his proposal sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP).
He said fishing is the only career he’s ever known, but providing for his family on such a low income is never been easy.
“Fishing are important because we cannot do anything else. We only have talent for fishing, not any other work,” he said.
Benedito Alves Pereira said when does take a big catch, he can sell it within the township of about 5,000 people. But he can also bring it into the capital, Dili.
“Dili is better than in Liquiçá, because in Liquiçá 8-10 fish cost only $1 but in Dili 6-8 fishes cost $2 dollars. [But once] we also count the cost for transportation from here to Dili, we don’t get much income,” he said.
“Sometime we also give the fishes to other kids to sell and will give them a percentage,” he added.
Bendito has four children, studying in primary school.
Journalist: Evaristo Soares Martins
Editors: Maria Auxiliadora; Robert Baird
Translation: Nelia Borges
