The industrious Fabian Brothers, of The Keys, Island Harbour, have made history for themselves probably without actually realising it. Over a three-year period, they have acquired, renovated and equipped a sizeable fishing trawler that will take them to and from Anguilla’s 200 nautical mile fishing zone north of the island.
The fishing banks there are believed to be replete with various pelagic species of fish such as tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, dolphin and others which are usually canned and exported by fishing companies around the world. For many years, Anguillian fisher-folk have exploited the inshore waters and reefs in and outside Island Harbour Bay and neighbouring areas for general pot-fish, lobster and snapper fish – the latter of which are usually caught by line on the sea-rocks and in the sea itself. The problem over the years has been that hardly anyone from Island Harbour had thought about investing in large trawlers which could remain at sea for up to two weeks catching and storing pelagic fish and no fishing cooperatives were formed to that effect. There have only been a set of small boats for inshore fishing, sometimes returning empty to shore from already-fished out areas.
The Fabian Brothers, with the assistance of a number of heavy-equipment owners and much general community support, were able to launch their trawler named Deep Faith on Monday afternoon, September 20, 2021, after trying laboriously to do so for hours the day before. A large and excited crowd had gathered on the bay side for the event, watching backhoes and excavators removing tons of sand from the surf – and digging a trench for the trawler to pass through to the sea. They also saw large cranes attempting to hoist the boat and the breaking of cables in the process – and a number of helpful young men putting in place utility poles to serve as runners for the trawler.
Among those present, was the Minister for Economic Development. Mr. Kyle Hodge, who in the past had spoken often about the importance of Anguilla’s 200-nautical-mile fishing zone and the need to exploit it.
Speaking to The Anguillian newspaper, Minister Hodge said: “It is exciting to be here to witness what is happening with the launch of the Fabian Brothers’ trawler. This is a project that has been long in coming. In fact they have been working on this boat for last three years so to finally seem them coming to the point where it is being launched. That’s a huge step to see one of Anguilla’s largest trawlers in the water and ready to embark on deep-sea fishing. As Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, I lend my full support to the guys. I have been in touch with them ever since getting in office and to reach this stage is very exciting. I wish them all the best in their endeavours going forward. Putting the boat in the water is just part one of the project. Part two and three will involve a fish-processing plant and being able to export. This is an industry that we want to see work for the people of Anguilla. It is a natural resource and once we do it in a sustainable way, and manage it properly, this industry can benefit our people for generations to come.”
Asked what protection the Government of Anguilla would be able to offer the Fabian Brothers and their catch, 200 nautical miles away, Mr. Hodge replied: “There is a need for protection. We are going to limit the number of vessels with licences to fish beyond our 40-mile range. We are not going to open up the exclusive economic zone to every vessel to fish. It is going to be an industry that will be monitored very tightly.”
The Minister added: “As I arrived here I noticed that it was more than the Fabian Brothers. It is equipment from throughout Anguilla; and when you look at the people around here it is not just those from Island Harbour but from various other parts of the island. So, overall, the launching of the vessel is not just exciting to the Fabian Brothers, the owners of this project, but also to the whole Anguillian community as one.”
Other commentators included Mr. Kenneth Harrigan, a former Elected Representative for District 1, Island Harbour; his brother, Mr. Frederick (Daddy) Harrigan); Mr. Todville Harrigan; and Dr. Timothy Hodge. All of them highly commended the Fabian Brothers, and spoke about the importance of deep-sea fishing and the returns expected from Anguilla’s 200-nautical mile exclusive fishing zone.
