Page 14 - AT

A14 LOCAL
Tuesday 26 November 2019

The fisheries of the 19th century Episode XLV - (45)

ORANJESTAD — The so-called Continental Bank between Aruba and the
opposite coast reaches a depth of about 650 feet. The sea is very rich in
fish here. From indigenous native people times fishing and sea creatures
such as turtles, octopus squids, conch and many type of crustaceans
have formed a means of subsistence for the native Aruban inhabitants.
Especially along the west coast of the island where the fishing grounds
are settlements of fishermen. Until the arrival of the oil -industry Aruban
fishermen could supply Aruba’s wants.

Cruising off the coast the Aruban fish- typical of the Arubans that only here
erman patiently waited for a fish will- were the nets properly cared for. Else-
ing to snap at the bait on the drag- where they looked neglected.This sort
line, in nets and traps. Veritable giants of work will also have caused some
are sometimes caught. Barracudas hammocks to be made on Aruba.
weigh from 9 to 44 pounds and mea- Our fisheries which in times of old
sure from 3 to almost 7 feet. The king- could meet the demand of the is-
fish has a weight from 22 to 44 pounds; land have been unable to do so for
the moclat may tip the scales at 155, a considerable period now. Approxi-
whilst garfish, having a length of nine mately 160 people earn their living in
feet, weigh over 132 pounds. this branch of this industry. Rancho,
which stands for a shed, nowadays
When fishing with deep-sea lines just east Oranjestad, is where quarter has
over the bottom of the sea the boat remained the fishermen’s settlement.
is kept in place by means of a piece It was in the middle of the last century
of rock serving as an anchor. The two that about 45 fishermen lived there.
most important species of fish by far On Horses' Bay about ten fishermen
caught in this manner are the pargo pursue their calling in a small ways
or red snappers and a variety of grou- by using fish traps called canastas.
pers like the mero, jeanpao and the These where laid in the shallow wa-
wowo di boyo. ter. At Cas Paloma there are 4 fisher-
men, at Santa Cruz 6, in the ancient
As a source of income, however, fish- fishing village of Sabaneta 10, at Cura
ing did not amount too much. On Cabai 3 and at Sint Nicolaas another
Aruba and Curacao there were no 7. Noord had also its old fishing village
facilities to keep a large quantity of with some 25 fishermen living close to
fish for some days. Not until 1911 was the beach. The further removed from
there the first cold storage but with Lago, the more fishermen there are.
restricted accommodation on Aru-
ba that was to be put into use. It is Continued on Page 15