The Fish Market

Our first stop on Tuesday in Lima was to an artisan fish market. We learned that most local fish is purchsed from local fishermen who take their small boats out - using oars, not motors - to catch their fish. The commercial fishermen must stay five miles offshore, and their catches are used commercially. The local fishermen take their boats within five miles of the shore, and they bring their catches to one of number of these artisenal fish markets. We watched a woman filet numerous mullets while we talked with her. She has to pay a fee for the space she is using, and a good day for her is usually 30 soles - $10. Her fee, if I recall correctly, is 5 soles - about $1.66. And she works very hard. Tedious, hard on the hands, standing the whole time - yikes! We visited with a fisherman who was repairing his nets, which is a daily occurrence. Seals and turtles are the main ones who damage the nets, but bigger fish can do so, too. Along the sidewalks are many food stands, which are the businesses for the people in the area. Only 20% of those who live in Lima are "official workers," in other words, those who earn salaries, have benefits, and pay taxes. The remaining are unofficial and they have to find a way to feed their families. Many of them set up their stands to sell foods, items for the beach, trinkets, and the like. Some of them have small seating areas where people can purchase their items and eat; others do not. We saw one "sandwich," which was a roll with a fried fish in it, the tail still attached and sticking out. We wanted a picture but were denied. More later about the 80%.