Journey in the pirogues at King's Wharf, San Fernando

Before you, is the King's Wharf Jetty which stands elongated along the lush green headlands off the Western Coast of San Fernando. In addition, there are pirogues that gracefully sit upon the Caribbean Sea, adorned with corbeaux and pelican birds awaiting a daily catch. Interestingly, these birds are not the only creatures in search of fresh fish. Here, you are seeing the shores right off the coast of King's Wharf Fishing Market, San Fernando. This location is famously known for fishing activities where fishermen travel out at sea and back to catch fish to sell to customers in San Fernando. This mode of transportation is different compared to other modes as it isn't a taxi however, it represents a certain kind of movement from the shores to places of fishing activities and back. For some, fishing is considered a main and only source of income for fishermen whilst to others, it's simply a hobby.

"The King's Wharf fish landing site is located in the city of San Fernando on Trinidad's West Coast and is operated by the San Fernando Corporation. The facility is comprised of a wholesale and retail area; a wholesale auction hall, a chill room and cold store with a capacity of 2.2 tons of fish. The fish stalls at the site are made of concrete and partially covered white tiles upon which vendors display their fish or catch. Each fish stall is equipped with running water drainage and basic working equipment. The facilities for fishermen at King's Wharf are located at the southern end of the compound and include a shed for net repairs and a winch for hoisting vessels out on water for dry docking purposes." - Newsletter of the Seafood Industry of Trinidad and Tobago. (Volume 4 Issue 1 April 2011)

King's Wharf

• No. of Vessels          

46 vessels with approximately 80 fishermen operating with this site.

• Main Fishing Methods

Mono filament gill nets, artisanal  trawl gear and hand lines for banking and trolling.

• Commercial Species

Red fish, cro cro carite, 'salmon' (sea trout) cavalli, catfish, pompano, bechine, shrimp and crab.

A Beautiful story on the Colourful History of Sando Wharf

(Story Updated: March 19th, 2013)

One of the natural treasures of San Fernando is, The King's Wharf.

Since the early 1980s, the King's Wharf overlooking the Gulf of Paria, continues to lag behind in aesthetics and opportunities to become a thing of beauty.

In 1972, plans for the beautification of the San Fernando wharf were submitted to the Ministry of Local Government for approval.

Some 40 years later there are no indications that the southern city will have an enhanced waterfront similar to the one at the capital city of Port of Spain.

Instead of instituting a Foreshore Reclamation Plan, work has begun on the construction of a boardwalk.

The boardwalk will hardly provide sustainable economic development; it will, however, improve the aesthetics of the waterfront and provide opportunities for leisure and will recall the historical activities that took place there since the arrival of the Amerindians from South America thousands of years ago.

Sir Walter Raleigh, the English explorer landed at the wharf in 1595 while sailing along the shore. His visit was recorded in his ship's log in the following words, "From thence we sailed to the mountain foote, called by the naturals Annaparima." Raleigh was in search of gold. Not finding any in San Fernando, he sailed northwards and landed in every cove in an attempt to know the island better.

After the capture of Trinidad by the British in 1797, trade between San Fernando and the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe began to flourish. The then-governor Sir Ralph James Woodford, realizing the importance of a jetty in the development of San Fernando, gave a grant of 40,000 pounds sterling in 1817 to the town to construct a wooden jetty to meet the growing demands of commercial shipping.

Woodford, under the terms of the loan, had directed that it be repaid from tariffs charged for shipping goods in and out of San Fernando.

One year later on December 18, 1818, the wharf shot into the news when the steamer SS Woodford made its first commercial voyage between San Fernando and Port of Spain using the wharf to disembark passengers.

Almost two centuries later, the remains of the first wharf hang precariously at the waterfront where it provides a home for seagulls and oysters. When the Government was searching for a suitable jetty for the water taxi in 2008 they had no alternative but to find a location south of the dilapidated jetty.

As maritime traffic increased in San Fernando during the mid-19th century, Jean-Baptiste Phillipe, a French Creole businessman, formed a company in 1827 on lands overlooking the wharf, where he constructed San Fernando's first hotel.

During the 19th century when sugar was king, supplies of raw sugar were shipped to Martinique and Guadeloupe at a point where the Cipero River met the Gulf of Paria. That area then became known as Embacadere, a point of embarkation for the shipment of sugar from the Naparimas. Because of increased shipping activities the area was declared a port of call in 1837.

By 1895, the wharf had become more than a shipping point. It had become a popular place for aquatic sports. An organisation called the San Fernando Rowing Club had erected a boat club on the water's edge, and, on an annual basis, regattas were held on New Year's Day. This event attracted hundreds of visitors to the wharf.

Other activities that took place at the wharf included the annual Carnival celebrations, which were first held there in 1923. Not only were masqueraders and Carnival bands participating in the celebrations at the wharf, but there were snake charmers and stickfighters who added colour to the festivities.

All of this took place under the eaves and around a building built in 1911 that came to be known as Rodriguez Building. At first it housed San Fernando's first departmental store and was later converted to an automobile showroom owned by Neal and Massy.

Later the building became the southern headquarters for the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries.

The fish market and abattoir built in 1924 brought vendors and fishermen to the area.

For many years, animals were slaughtered at the abattoir until such activities were moved to another area. Along the way to Bontour Point, the First Trinidad Sea Scouts had erected their headquarters in 1931.

These events and much more are part of the colourful history of San Fernando wharf.Admittedly the Foreshore Reclamation Plan is a challenging proposition, its alternative the boardwalk is but a part of the development needed for sustainable business and cultural offerings in the city.

Despite T. Hall and H. Barrett not highlighting pirogues as a mode of transportation, to the fishing community it is more than valued as their only mode of transport to conduct activities that sustains their livelihood. Without fishing boats, there would be no fishing industry in San Fernando. Many fishermen would tell you that a day in the life of a fisherman is not easy. From early mornings to late evenings at work, they have grown to appreciate what they have accomplished in the city of San Fernando by supplying fish. Not to mention, they do experience difficulties with managing facilities, lack of improper fishing gear like nets and boat engines and days in which their catch is limited. But, these hard times are yet to discourage the fishermen of San Fernando because they love their skill at what they do. Many of them enjoy their journeys via the pirogues to go out at sea, even others were happy to boast about the interesting catch they discover in their nets but when asked if they would give up on fishing, they all said no. Coodos to the fishermen of San Fernando who continue to do a great job.

Links of importance:-

http://www.sidctt.com/Uploads/April_2011_Web.PDF

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Colourful_history_of_Sando_wharf-198714771.html?m=y&smobile=y

http://www.flickr.com/photos/striderv/2750697001/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Until next week,

Shaniece