Blessing of boats marks Caribbean Fisherfolk Day
By Zoila Palma: Today, the Belize Fisheries Department, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS Belize), observed Caribbean Fisherfolk Day with the annual “Blessing of the Boats” ceremony. The event forms part of Fisherfolk Month traditions that honour the dedication and vital contributions of Belize’s fishing community. This year’s Fisherfolk Month theme, “Celebrating and […] The post Blessing of boats marks Caribbean Fisherfolk Day appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Black News 
By Zoila Palma: Today, the Belize Fisheries Department, in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS Belize), observed Caribbean Fisherfolk Day with the annual “Blessing of the Boats” ceremony.
The event forms part of Fisherfolk Month traditions that honour the dedication and vital contributions of Belize’s fishing community.
This year’s Fisherfolk Month theme, “Celebrating and Empowering Fishers’ Contribution to Food Safety and Security,” underscores the essential role fishers play in supplying healthy seafood, sustaining livelihoods, and strengthening national food security.
The ceremony was led by Father Scott Giuliani, assisted by Joe, who offered prayers for protection and blessings over fishers and their vessels ahead of the opening of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster fishing season.
Blessings were conducted at the National Fishermen Cooperative and the Northern Fishermen Cooperative, as well as through a boat-to-boat procession along the Belize City waterfront, continuing a long-standing tradition.
The Belize Fisheries Department expressed gratitude to Father Giuliani and Joe, as well as to the cooperatives, WCS Belize, and participating fishers for their support in making the event a success.
Fishers were also encouraged to prioritize safety at sea, ensure vessels are seaworthy, carry proper equipment, and monitor weather conditions before departure, as the new season begins.
The post Blessing of boats marks Caribbean Fisherfolk Day appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
