The weekend gone, Her Excellency Christina Scott accepted an invitation from intrepid fisherman, Patrick Webster, and his cousin Kenrick Bryan, to watch lobster trap pulling and the economies therein.
As Pat remembered, from her trip to Sombrero, the Governor has unshakable sea legs and showed no trepidation or squeamishness with this firsthand observation of fishing skills. She was fascinated by the contrast of entirely empty traps and bountiful catches in the same line, and she expressed further interest in the pot fish (‘by-catch’) that supplements the economics of lobster fishing. Her Excellency seemed pleased to note that the small lobsters are gently returned to the sea without hesitation. However, the challenges in doing this hard work were highlighted by large balls of sea grass handicapping the effort with an abundance of vegetation crowding the lobster pots.
Then, with just a little encouragement, Governor Scott piloted Opportunity, Patrick Webster’s famous fishing boat, while the men stored the catch in preparation for the trip back.
As it turned out, the Governor had not yet seen the eastern shores and cays of Anguilla. Patrick took a slight detour for her to see ‘Deadman’s Bay’ on the seaward side of Scrub Island, along with pointing out the remarkable ponds – and piloting Opportunity deep into the cave of Little Scrub. They hailed numerous men fishing Yellowtail Snapper from the high cliffs, and they chatted with and acknowledged others who were out diving near the two Scrub Islands.
Upon returning to the dock, Patrick tried to bag a lobster or two for her cooking pot – but the Governor politely explained that she has yet to learn how to cook lobster and declined, with his understanding. However, Patrick had noticed that she seemed especially enamored with a plump Yellowtail Snapper that had been trapped. He insisted that she return home with a tasty memory of her outing. She proudly left the pier with her bounty – feeling like she had successfully foraged for her supper (with a little help from her fisher friends).
