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Saturday 11 November 2023 locAl
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History of fishing in Aruba

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