Page 11 - aruba-today-20231122

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local Wednesday 22 november 2023

History of fishing in Aruba

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