Fishermen bring in less than half the total weight of fish caught in 2014

Although more than 16,000 pounds of fish were reeled in by fishers over six weeks, during activities to mark 40 days of recognition of fisher-folk and the fishing industry, it was less than had been caught during last year’s competition.

The Fisherman’s Day activities culminated last Monday, with the tally on the final day indicating that fishermen had hauled in less {{more}}than half of the total caught the previous year, despite similar weather conditions and more fishers going out to sea.

On the final Monday of competition, a total of 3,257 pounds of fish were caught, compared to 7,259 caught in 2014.

160 fishers in 44 boats participated this year, as opposed to 130 in the same number of boats last year.

19 boats returned with catch this year, compared with 24 in 2014, with an average of 302.5 pounds, while the average weight of fish per boat this year was 171.4 pounds.

The six Mondays of competition yielded 16,673.7 pounds of fish.

Claiming the title of Fisherman of the Year was Ray Anthony Clarke, with his total catch of 3,111.8 pounds of fish.

Clarke and his crew, competing in Class One on their vessel “Ray J,” also won the third place for the largest number of fish, with 81 heads, and third heaviest single fish (32 pounds).

Among his prizes, the Green Hill resident won himself a 75Hp Yamaha 2-Stroke Outboard Engine, one trophy, three life jackets, one case of outboard oil, an umbrella, one set of table mats and one box of Maggi fish seasoning.

Other winners included Eli Slater for heaviest catch in the Beach Seine Competition; Lester Hazel in the Row Boat Competition; Orla Matthews in the Female Competition; Rodiko Williams in the Junior Competition; William Dabreo and Hamlett George in Class 3; Augustine Warner, Julian Bradshaw and Staney Bradshaw in Class 2; Nelson Mcguire, William Oliver, Andrew Gould, and Philroy Matthews in Class 1.

During last Monday’s closing seas, as well as the vessel owners and vendors for their work in the fishing industry.

Speakers on the day included permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Transformation, Forestry, Fisheries and Industry Raymond Ryan; chair of the 2015 Fisherman’s Day committee Winsbert Harry; chief fisheries officer Jennifer Cruickshank-Howard; Fisheries Minister Saboto Caesar, and Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves.

The crowd that assembled at the Calliaqua Playing Field was also entertained by students of the Calliaqua Pre-school, and the Avenues Dancers.

Reigning Miss SVG Shadeisha George, as well as seven of the eight contestants in the 2015 pageant also graced the stage, much to the delight of the crowd.

This year’s Fisherman’s Day theme was “Forty years of harvest, accept no less, fish is the best,” with the slogan being “Put a fish on your dish.”