Roxborough fishermen still struggling

More than a year after Tropical Storm Karen hit Tobago, Roxborough fishermen say they are still trying to repair their damaged boats.

In June, nine months after the storm’s passage, the fishermen told Newsday they were struggling to pay bills and support their families because they could not go out to sea.

At that time, they also claimed they did not receive any assistance from then chief secretary Kelvin Charles, who had visited Roxborough immediately after the storm to assess the damage to the vessels.

Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries Secretary Hayden Spencer later told Newsday there is a system in place to assist the fishermen.

But when Newsday visited the Roxborough fishing depot on September 21, fisherman Brian Daniel said the THA did not fulfil its promises.

He said Progressive Democratic Patriots political leader and Roxborough/Delaford representative Watson Duke had provided some assistance to the fishermen but no help came from the Division of Food Production, Forestry and Fisheries.

“Although we are hearing things, we still have not heard any word from the Government for help for some of the fishermen,” he told Newsday.

“Nobody has visited us and asked for any meeting. But the process of boat repair has started and some of the guys are already halfway there.”

Daniel said about ten fishermen got their boats damaged during the storm, which hit the island on September 22, 2019.

He added some of them have had to rely on the kindness of fishermen in other villages to ply their trade.

“Some of them got boats (borrowed) to earn a little something and then they come in and sell their fish at a reduced price. So, yuh could still have an income coming and we are really grateful for that because it helps out a lot.”

Nevertheless, he said fish sales in Roxborough have dropped drastically.

“But, hopefully, by the time everything gets back to normal, we should have most of the boats finished.”

Daniel could not say when his boat will be ready to go back to sea.

Daniel’s nephew, Shervon Mc Pherson said his boat is being built in Parlatuvier.

“Is just the shell of my boat come out so far. We have to get the rest of the material for the seat,” he said.

The father of two young children said he also has to try to get a loan from the bank to buy a new engine.

“The boat being damaged slowed down everything and then covid19 came.”

Mc Pherson said while supporting his family continues to be challenge, he still considers himself fortunate.

“I have been fishing for many years but I also have morning job. Right now, I am cutlassing in Goldsborough.

“Is just that with the fishing, you could get money everyday. Yuh don’t have to wait a whole fortnight to get paid.”

Mc Pherson said apart from the challenges confronting Roxborough fishermen, life in the area was normal.

“Covid19 not really affecting people much because they on the road still. Nobody eh really getting it around here.”