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local Wednesday 9 august 2023
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 Continen- ing with deep-sea lines just
tal Bank between Aruba over the bottom of the sea
and the opposite coast the boat is kept in place by
reaches a depth of about means of a piece of rock
650 feet. The sea is very rich serving as an anchor. The
in fish here. Since the time two most important species
of the indigenous native of fish by far caught in this to feed their families and per, grouper and amber- at home.
people fish and other sea manner are the pargo or some are being sold in the jack. They usually fish for The fish they catch they
creatures such as turtles, red snappers and a variety market to local restaurants. 15 hours a day, but now take home to their families
octopus squids, conch and of groupers like the mero, Fisherman Gregory Wernet due to the covid-19 mea- and they also sell it to their
many type of crustaceans jeanpao and the wowo di Gregory Wernet is a well- surements they go fishing clients. Gregory is proud to
have formed a means of boyo. known fisherman from San- from 5 in the morning until be a fisherman. It is a hon-
subsistence for the native Cruising off the coast the ta Cruz. His father taught 8 o’clock at night or even est and humble job but
Aruban inhabitants. Espe- Aruban fisherman patient- him fishing when he was sometimes from 8 at night with it he is able to feed
cially along the west coast ly waits for a fish willing to a small child. Gregory has till 5 in the morning. The his family even during hard
of the island where the fish- snap at the bait on the two sons, Jordan and Jor- day before they prepare times. It is a very dangerous
ing grounds are settlements drag-line, in nets and traps. danny, which he taught all their fishing tools such as job and you have to spend
of fishermen. Until the ar- Veritable giants are some- fishing too, when they were the Lines, lures, spears, and many hours on the sea,
rival of the oil -industry Aru- times caught. Barracudas only 3 years old and he load their boat with fishing waiting patiently and risk-
ban fishermen could supply weigh from 9 to 44 pounds takes them fishing with him. reels, batteries, fill the gaso- ing your life while fighting a
Aruba’s wants. and measure from 3 to al- Fishing has been a fam- line tank, lights and some big fish and big waves but
As a source of income, how- most 7 feet. The king-fish ily tradition for quite a long food and beverages. For the adrenaline it brings with
ever, fishing did not amount has a weight from 22 to 44 time and even his grand- bait he uses sardines, squid it but also just sitting there
too much. In the beginning pounds; the moclat may son Willvion of 7 years old and the small fish known listening to the sound of the
of the 1900’s approximately tip the scales at 155, whilst is following his grandfather in Aruba as piskechi. The waves and enjoying the
160 people earn their living garfish, having a length of steps. This is the sixth gen- have two boats they use marvelous view that nature
in this branch of this indus- nine feet, weigh over 132 eration of fishermen in their for fishing. ‘Virgen del Val- has to offer is all worth it. q
try. Rancho, which stands pounds. family. le’ which is parked at the
for a shed, nowadays east Most fish caught is used They go deep sea fishing. pier by the Seaport and Source: Etnia Nativa
Oranjestad, was the head for their own consumption, There they catch red snap- ‘Padrot’ which they have