October 22, 2007
Mr. Russell Vellos
Editor in Charge
Amandala
Dear Sir,
When I was a little boy, I remember making my own fishing hook. After making my fishing hook I would ask my grandmother for a piece of thread, then I would go among the mangroves. But, before doing so, I would go by the seaside and turn over the little stones. There, I would catch sea roach, worms and little tiny crabs which were about ½ inch in size. Once I was set with my amount of bait in a milk pan which I had in a handbag made out of crocus bag, I would then climb on top of the mangrove limbs, seeking for a spot where I can comfortably sit to fish.
There were several kinds of fishes among the mangrove roots or stem. But I only wanted to catch a certain type which I know by as “pinta” or “xchpinta”. These xchpinta at their full size would weigh about one pound. I would catch seven or ten of them; then after, I would go by the rocks or seawall to clean my fishes. All what I would take out and off the fishes, was thrown back into the sea, and the other fishes would feed off the waste.
This was mostly done in the afternoon. By evening I would be at home frying the fishes for supper.
Many times I would go by the market to look at the fishermen taking out live fishes from their boat for sale. On occasions I would give them a hand in doing any little thing that a child can do. After, the owner would tell me to take a fish. I usually pick a big snapper, clean it right there and throw the waste into the sea and observe how the “cato” would swallow it up.
There were many sea birds all around waiting for the fishermen to throw the dead fish at them. The place was always clean; it smelled as a fish deck. But it did not smell like rotten dead animal mixed with something like carbon monoxide, commonly known as “carbonegro”.
Today, Wednesday, October 17, 2007, the Corozal Central Market has a smell like that of a dead animal mixed with carbon monoxide. I was told that it is a septic tank where all the fish waste is emptied. It seems as if the architect and designer were probably thinking that such smell would attract tourists. But, you wouldn’t believe it, it does attract tourism, at least once in a blue moon.
I don’t know why the fishermen were moved from their market by the pier. Is such land still belonging to the people or is it already “given” away? Such place was and is the best place for the fishermen’s market. It’s more picturesque, more native folkloric. Give it a thought.
Respectfully,
(Signed) Clinton Uh Luna
Finca Solana
Corozal Town