Page 12 - AHATA

Tuesday 2 May 2023 locAl
A10

History of fishing in Aruba

ORANJESTAD — Fishing has amount too much. In the
been a family tradition for beginning of the 1900’s
ages in Aruba. Our ances- approximately 160 peo-
tors used to fish for a living. ple earn their living in this
Even though nowadays branch of this industry.
you don’t see them often Rancho, which stands for
we still have some passion- a shed, nowadays east
ate fishermen on the island Oranjestad, was the head
that go out every day in quarter and remains the
search for fish to feed their fishermen’s settlement. Sa-
families and serve our local vaneta, Noord, Santa Cruz
market. One of these fish- all had their fishermen’s vil-
erman is Gregory Wernet. lages. At a rough estimate
there were about a hun-
The so-called Continental dred small fishing boats
Bank between Aruba and during that time.
the opposite coast reach- The Arubans were mainly
es a depth of about 650 engaged in coastal fishing,
feet. The sea is very rich using rowing-boats or small
in fish here. Since the time sailing-boats, and lines or
of the indigenous native dragnets and canisters in
people fish and other sea shallow water. When fish- family.
creatures such as turtles, ing with deep-sea lines just They go deep sea fishing.
octopus squids, conch and over the bottom of the sea There they catch red snap-
many type of crustaceans the boat is kept in place by per, grouper and amber-
have formed a means of means of a piece of rock jack. They usually fish for
subsistence for the native serving as an anchor. The 15 hours a day, but now
Aruban inhabitants. Espe- two most important spe- due to the covid-19 mea-
cially along the west coast cies of fish by far caught in surements they go fishing
of the island where the this manner are the pargo from 5 in the morning until
fishing grounds are settle- or red snappers and a va- 8 o’clock at night or even
ments of fishermen. Until riety of groupers like the sometimes from 8 at night
the arrival of the oil -indus- mero, jeanpao and the till 5 in the morning. The
try Aruban fishermen could wowo di boyo. day before they prepare
supply Aruba’s wants. Cruising off the coast the all their fishing tools such as
As a source of income, Aruban fisherman patient- the Lines, lures, spears, and
however, fishing did not ly waits for a fish willing to load their boat with fishing
reels, batteries, fill the gas-
oline tank, lights and some
food and beverages. For
bait he uses sardines, squid
and the small fish known
snap at the bait on the Fisherman Gregory Wernet in Aruba as piskechi. The
drag-line, in nets and traps. Gregory Wernet is a well- have two boats they use
Veritable giants are some- known fisherman from San- for fishing. ‘Virgen del Val-
times caught. Barracudas ta Cruz. His father taught le’ which is parked at the
weigh from 9 to 44 pounds him fishing when he was pier by the Seaport and
and measure from 3 to al- a small child. Gregory has ‘Padrot’ which they have
most 7 feet. The king-fish two sons, Jordan and Jor- at home.
has a weight from 22 to 44 danny, which he taught The fish they catch they
pounds; the moclat may fishing too, when they were take home to their families
tip the scales at 155, whilst only 3 years old and he and they also sell it to their
garfish, having a length of takes them fishing with him. clients. Gregory is proud to
nine feet, weigh over 132 Fishing has been a fam- be a fisherman. It is a hon-
pounds. ily tradition for quite a long est and humble job but
Most fish caught is used time and even his grand- with it he is able to feed
for their own consumption, son Willvion of 7 years old his family even during hard
to feed their families and is following his grandfather times. It is a very dangerous
some are being sold in the steps. This is the sixth gen- job and you have to spend
market to local restaurants. eration of fishermen in their many hours on the sea,
waiting patiently and risk-
ing your life while fighting
a big fish and big waves
but the adrenaline it brings
with it but also just sitting
there listening to the sound
of the waves and enjoying
the marvelous view that
nature has to offer is all
worth it.q

Source: Etnia Nativa