International Fisherman’s Day Date in the current year: June 29, 2024

Fishing has been an important part of human culture and lifestyle since the dawn of humanity. It is one of the few food production activities that have persisted since prehistory and survived both the transition from hunting and gathering to agriculture and settlement (the Neolithic Revolution) and all industrial revolutions. In addition to being a food production activity, fishing is a popular pastime and even a competitive sport.

The fishing industry is an important sector of economy in developing countries, providing direct and indirect employment for over half a billion people. It includes artisanal, commercial and recreational fishing.

The term artisanal fishing, also known as subsistence fishing or traditional fishing, refers to traditional fishing practices undertaken by individual households. It is the predominant form of fishing in developing countries in the tropical region. Commercial fishing is the capture of fish for commercial profit; when carried out on a large scale, it is also referred to as industrial fishing.

Sustainable fishing is important for supporting hundreds of millions of people who depend on the sea for their livelihood, guaranteeing food security, maintaining fish populations, and preserving ecosystems. Due to this, most fishing-related observances focus on the importance of sustainability in the fishing industry, as well as highlight the plight of traditional fisheries in developing countries.

The origins of International Fisherman’s Day are unclear, but the choice of the date is pretty logical because June 29 is the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul. Saint Peter, one of the original Twelve Apostles and the first bishop of Rome, was originally a fisherman. Due to this, he is venerated as a patron saint of fishermen.

International Fisherman’s Day is primarily celebrated in the Caribbean region, where festivities can last for up to a week filled with various events and activities such as symposiums, conference, expos, sporting activities, regattas, and more. The main goals of the celebration are to highlight the contribution of fishermen to the economy, raise awareness of the importance of sustainable fishing, and strengthen ties between all stakeholders in the sector.

International Fisherman’s Day isn’t the only holiday that celebrates fishing. Some countries where fishing plays an important role in the national economy have a National Fisherman Day. They include, for example, Indonesia and the Marshall Islands. In addition, there’s World Fisheries Day that was established by the UN Food and Agricultural Organization to highlight the important role of sustainable commercial fishing in the global economy.