Fishing Community Mourns Esteemed Leader Paulino Rodriguez

Belize has lost one of its most dedicated guardians of the sea. Paulino Elmer Rodriguez, a fisherman from Sarteneja Village in Corozal and chairman of the National Fishermen Cooperative Producers Society, passed away on Monday after more than four decades of service to the industry.

The Fisheries Department remembered him as a “beloved family man and respected chairman of the National Fishermen Cooperative Producers Society,” adding that his “unwavering dedication, leadership, and advocacy have left an indelible mark on Belize’s fisheries sector and marine conservation efforts.”

For 45 years, Rodriguez gave his life to the fishing industry. He served on the Cooperative’s Executive Committee for more than 30 years, was a member of the Fisheries Advisory Council, and helped lead the Managed Access Program and the Cooperative’s traceability system.

Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association also recognised Rodriguez’s legacy, stating, “Elmer’s passion and unwavering commitment greatly advanced our mission and helped strengthen the future of Turneffe… His dedication to the sustainability of Belize’s fisheries sector was truly remarkable. He was a true representative of the fishers of Belize and himself was a Turneffe fisher.”

His contributions earned him Fisher of the Year in 2019, the Meritorious Service Award in 2022, and the Gladding Memorial Award in 2023. He also represented Belize at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Portugal in 2022, where he championed the rights and livelihoods of small-scale fishers.