The Spearfishermen

Artist Statement

This mural depicts two local spear fishermen. Since an invasive species of lion fish has arrived in the Caribbean, it has caused extensive damage to the coral reefs that surround the islands.

Mexico now has opened up a number of its national marine parks to fishing on the provision that the fishermen only catch the lion fish and only use spears to ensure the fishermen do not harm other native species. The program has seen a dramatic decline in lion fish numbers. The spearfishing practice has also become a local staple of the fishing economy with lion fish being served in more restaurants and now being exported to the U.S.

This mural pays homage to the social realism of the Mexican muralist movement and the Mexican fighting spirit in a modern environmental context.

The Focus

Take Action

If you do eat seafood (marine life), you can be a responsible consumer by:

• Choosing to eat species that are lower on the foodchain. Think sardines over tuna.
• Refer to consumer guides such as Seafood Watch and only eat species that are considered sustainable and/or invasive.
• Look out for catch harvested using non-commercial, more sustainable fishing methods such as spearfishing and pole-and-line.