A traditional fisherman on the island of Barú, just off Cartagena, Zúñiga has spent most of his 36 years pursuing these species in a hand-made boat called a chalupa.

Along the way he has developed what every fisherman longs for: consistent luck. His colleagues at the Santa Ana, Barú and Boca Cerrada Fishing Cooperative call him "El Campeón" --the champ--because he routinely brings in more fish than any of the 56 other members--up to 100 kilos a day.

The cooperative is a vital resource for the fishing families whose homes dot the Barú coastline. While the men fish, the women clean, process and market the catch. Business is brisk and could be even better were it not for the high cost of replacing outboard motors, buying nets and reaching new customers.

Now, the Mario Santo Domingo Foundation, backed by a $500,000 IDB loan, is helping the co-op and several hundred other island fishermen to cover those costs with a microcredit program that lets members pay their debts with fish. The program also includes training and technical assistance in marketing and administration for women, who make up 20 percent of the co-op's membership.

Zúñiga, who is married and has five children, was among the first to take advantage of the program. He borrowed $3,000 for nets and a new 40 hp outboard that will help him win the daily race to the best fishing grounds. If past is prelude, he will also be the first to pay down his loan.