The fishing industry in Anguilla recently experienced a setback in the weeks immediately following the closure of the island’s borders to prevent instances of illegal entry to avoid the spread of the COVID-19 disease. It meant that fish, an important part of the peoples’ diet, was severally lacking – plus fishermen were unable to earn their livelihood.
It was subsequently arranged for fishermen to attend their pots from Island Harbour and Road Bay on certain days. There was quite some concern and protests, but the situation now appears to have calmed down.
Perhaps the main reason is that, in recent days, there has been a fairly large catch of jacks – a popular species of fish in Anguillian waters. In no time, a number of fish-starved consumers bought up all the catch on the Island Harbour Bayfront, and under the tamarind tree at the food strip in The Valley.
Soon afterwards, the fish supply was augmented by Mr. Roger Smith, of Island Harbour, who took up his usual sales point at the corner of the Edwin Wallace Rey Drive and the Clayton Lloyd International Airport. He successfully and quickly sold a catch of the much-liked and costly mahi-mahi pelagic fish. He caught them in the waters surrounding Scrub Island.
People, across Anguilla, are continuing to monitor the fishing activities in the island’s waters to supplement in their diet.
No fishing is permitted in the waters between Anguilla and St. Martin/St. Maarten as part of Government’s ongoing efforts to prevent illegal entry into Anguilla. That seacoast, stretching from east to west, is being subject to land, sea and air patrols.
