Press Release
December 12, 2025 • 2 min read
Colombia, along with other Caribbean countries, relies on artisanal fishing as a fundamental productive activity that guarantees the right to food and supports the local economy of fisherfolk. Around 80% of the unpreserved fish consumed in the country comes from artisanal and subsistence fishing, which is considered the main source of food and work for fishing communities settled in river basins and coastal areas.
With support from the Irish Government through Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership (ICSP), GOAL is helping to strengthen the artisanal fishery system in La Guajira (Caribbean Sea) as part of a holistic ‘Resilience of the Blue Economy’ programme.
Given the social and geographical context of La Guajira, economic stability is directly linked to social cohesion and coexistence. Artisanal fisherfolk become peacemakers, as their work promotes community organization, the associative social fabric, and collective resource management, elements that reinforce local resilience in the face of violence, where the protection of marine-coastal ecosystems is promoted, generating a sense of shared responsibility and territorial roots that reduces the exposure of young people and adults to illicit economies and armed pressures.
In the quest to strengthen the resilience of the local artisanal fishing system by exploring new commercial alliances and markets, designing innovative products, and consolidating fair financial inclusion mechanisms that promote the sustainable development of fishing in La Guajira, the second edition of the Fishing Business Meeting, Markets, and Financial Inclusion, where GOAL promoted sustainable commercial opportunities, access to adapted financing, and visibility for innovative products based on the circular economy of fish skin, collagen, and sausage products.
Alberto Batista, a fisherman from Manaure, commented, “I really enjoyed this meeting. This is a drop in the ocean because there are so many needs. This space is very important.” He transforms fish into antipasto, seeking to improve its commercialization.
He went on to say that “this space allowed fishermen and marketers from various parts to meet, as well as to learn what we need to improve in terms of product presentation, measurement, and weight. This opportunity also brought us closer to universities, so they can help us make better use of things.”
Allies strengthening the artisanal fishing system
The event was attended by representatives from ‘Autoridad Nacional de Acuicultura y Pesca – (AUNAP) the La Guajira regional office of the Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA), the University of La Guajira and the University of Magdalena’.
According to Francisco Campos, representative of the La Guajira regional SENA, “through the alliance with GOAL, we are undertaking many actions to benefit the population. We are promoting artisanal fishing, generating value through training for the benefit of this productive sector, which has had an impact on the department.”
Colombia: a scene of community and economic resilience
GOAL has been supporting fishing communities in Colombia for four years through productivity, sustainability, innovation, and marketing capabilities.
Likewise, the first meeting of fisherfolk in 2024 in Riohacha, La Guajira, achieved recognition of the main actors in the sector and the impact of GOAL in the country. Therefore, this year the aim was to advance commercial relations, financial mechanisms adapted to the needs of the sector, and move towards more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable fishing in the territory.
