Labor Day may have come and gone but for the fishermen of San Rafael in Barili, the daily fight for survival never takes a holiday. These men remained by the shore, quietly tending to their fishing nets.
Photographer Seth Nuñez captured a poignant scene of fishermen sitting side by side on the sand with their weathered nets spread out before them. With calloused hands and practiced patience, they carefully stitched and patched every hole and weak spot through raw, honest labor.
‘We Fix What Feeds Us’
“We fix what feeds us,” Nuñez said, describing the scene in five simple but powerful words.
For these fishermen, fishing is not just a livelihood. It is how they put food on the table. Every knot tied and every tear mended is a matter of survival.
When the sea is too rough for sailing or the catch is scarce, they turn to patching their nets. It is tedious, backbreaking work—but it is necessary.
Beyond Labor Day
The images serve as a reminder that while the nation sets aside one day to honor its workers, the reality is that for many, the work never stops.
Farmers rise before dawn. Fishermen face unpredictable seas. Vendors, drivers and laborers continue their daily grind often unnoticed and underappreciated.
Even so, they persist. Because at the end of the day, they are the hands that feed the nation.
Honoring the Unseen Labor
The fishermen of Barili show us that true dedication lives in the quiet hours, in worn-out nets, and in the stubborn refusal to give up.
So here’s to the fishermen, the farmers, and all the workers behind every meal we often take for granted.
Thank you for feeding the nation not just with food, but with your relentless strength.
📷 Seth Nuñez
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