Page 16 - AB

Tuesday 7 March 2023 locAl
A10

History of fishing in Aruba

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