Page 10 - aruba-today-20220127

Thursday 27 January 2022 locAl
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History of fishing in Aruba

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