HISTORY OF COMMERCIAL LINE AND TRAP FISHING IN STT/STJ USVIPAST/PRESENT/FUTURE

Presented by: Dean Greaux (Commercial Fisherman)

PRESENTED AT: MREP MEETINGMAY 23-25, 2017MARRIOTT FRENCHMAN’S REEFST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I.

DEAN C. GREAUX

• Owner/Operator of Reel-M-In. and provider of local fish to local restaurants and private customers here on the island of St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

• Involved in the local fishing culture with his father Louis T. Greaux (deceased) since 1975.

• Enjoys having his own business because it allows him the freedom and flexibility to determine his work hours, he works for himself, and he enjoys fishing!

• When not working on his boat, he likes to go hunting on the mainland.

DEAN C. GREAUX CONTINUED

• As a small business owner, father, and new grandfather, Dean was born and raised on St. Thomas and is deeply invested in the local fishing culture.

• Although usually an outgoing individual, he’s known to be quiet when displeased or contemplating an issue.

• A fisherman of 42 years, Dean has great pride and love for his family, friends, hunting, and fishing.

DEAN C. GREAUX

My idea of a perfect day would begin with calm weather, blue skies, and out of the water with my boat. I’d then catch some fish and finish off the day by relaxing in my hammock. The kinds of people I like to spend time with are those who are positive and happy for those people create good and lasting friendships

HISTORIC FISHING METHODS

TRAP FISHING – BEFORE 1929

Traps were made from wood better known as Wisk. Fishermen would plat (weave) traps into formation. These traps would last approximately 6 months

Rope for traps were from tug boat tow lines, when available, and were made from hemp.

Floats were made from used wood from the submarine dock which had to be chopped with hammers and machetes. Buoys were 3-4 feet tall. While in the water, buoys would get water logged and had to be brought back every 1.5-2 months to dry and be repainted.

At deployment 1 trap would be paired with 1 buoy on a string.

*After 1929, stormsdestroyed all the wooden traps at the time. The local Government (Agriculture) brought wire to help fishermen. This was the first introduction of wire to the trap fishery. The lifespan of these traps were from 1-1.5 years

LINE FISHING Back in the golden days, these fishermen had

it even tougher than trap fishers. They used cotton line to fish with. The hooks had no eye and had to be tied along the shank. After fishing for the night, the lines had to dry so they wouldn’t rot. Another issue they faced was that they had no ice or freezers to keep fish cold. They had to spread them out, put them in baskets, and then bring them to the markets or from house to house. Whatever was left was either traded for household items or given to the more needy members of society.

PAST VS PRESENT METHODS Boats were small and used sails

Occasionally vessels had small engines

Bottom sounded by rock and handline measurements

Land marks were used to find fishing grounds

Traps were traditionally hauled by hand.

Presently, the fishermen have it easy with modern technology

GPS

Four stroke engines

Depth finders

Boats are equipped with hydraulic haulers

CURRENT DAY METHODSAs of 1979, the coated wire came into play which now gave the fishermen a trap life of up to 5 years or more. These traps are now welded. They are also made from 2-inch square mesh which became a requirement by law in 1990. With a biodegradable government door, also vents to let compressed fish (bycatch) be released.

CURRENT DAY METHODS Presently, there is no help from the

local government and federal government in purchasing trap wire or any trap material, such as rope, wire, crimp, zincs, and rebar, etc. These materials are extremely expensive today. The department of Agriculture does not recognize the fishing industry. However, fishers do get the full support of the Division of Fish and Wildlife which is currently run by the Director Ruth Gomez and Commissioner Dawn Henry Esq.

FISHERMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN STUDIES

2 bycatch studies Ghost trap studies Ciguatera studies Yellowtail snapper tagging project Lobster tagging project Escape vent study Queen Triggerfish and Yellowtail

Snapper data collections And many more

CONCERNS ABOUT FISHERMEN STUDIES

Fishermen are willing to be fully involved in studies, but need to be compensated fairly for their time. Fishermen are the hands-on scientists with the best knowledge of what is going on in the field. A widely held concern is that the information collected is being used to destroy our fishing culture. If the fishermen are involved in the studies as data collectors, then we feel that the data should be used to support the local fishing culture not destroy it. Currently, fishermen only feel comfortable supplying port sample data to the local DFW because we feel that it is collected accurately and submitted to our federal partners (NOAA) correctly. Fishermen observe studies being conducted by outside entities receiving NOAA funding and are concerned that the studies are biased against the local fishing community due to their lack of input. Without fisher involvement, data is collected and analyzed out of context. In order for data to be interpreted accurately, fisher involvement is essential and fishers should be appropriately compensated for their time and expertise. The scientists conducting these studies have lots of book knowledge but very little hands on experience in our local environment. The Virgin Islands are unique. Remember you cannot fit a box in a circle.

CORALS: A FISHERMAN’S EXPERIENCE Corals are under intense scrutiny and scientists are quick to assume that

they are threatened. However, these corals go through cycles of disease just like many other plants and animals. Corals do not grow just anywhere. Shallow water corals are being destroyed by storms. From 1929 to 1979 there were no storm events. Hurricane David (1979), Hurricane Hugo (1989), Hurricane Luis & Marilyn (1995), and Hurricane George (1998). Before all of these storm events, the corals were flourishing and at peak productivity. I have personally observed this and recognize that it takes time for the corals to grow back to their former status. They are not dead, they are simply recovering.

FUTURE OF THE FISHING CULTURE

From my experience, in the next 7-10 years, the commercial fishing culture will be reduced to nothing. Slowly many are leaving because of stifling regulations and lack of involvement from the younger generations.

Due to high cost of materials, boats, engines you must be very serious in order to make the investment (100,000). You must be very experienced in order to survive.

There is a lot to learn and one must be invested for at least 6-7 years in order to learn the business and culture.

Young people don’t want to get involved and we can only find the older fishermen to work with us.

As a result, commercial fishers are using other commercial fishers as their helpers.