Rotary Bequia Annual Fisherman’s Day Competition
The Rotary Club of Bequia is one of three clubs in St.Vincent and the Grenadines. The Rotary Club of Bequia received its charter on 19th September, 1988 and started with 25 member led by a conspicuous president Mr. Chester Peters. Since then other major projects includes: .Youth on the sea programme, Installation of pumps on wall on Bequia, Installation of traffic mirrors; Senior citizens Christmas luncheon; Twinning with another organization to set up the ‘‘ Bequia Medical Emergency Fund’’ ;Assisted with books for the Paget Farm Community Library; Assisted with medical supplies for the Bequia Hospital; National Heroes Day inter School Athletics Championship on Bequia and many more projects.
One of our major fundraisers is our annual fisherman’s day event. This is held the weekend after our national carnival festival. Most people see this event as a cool down from our biggest festival of the year, carnival. Many visitors come over from mainland St.Vincent to be a part of this event. This year’s activity will be held on Saturday 7th July, 2012.
The one day event has grown over the past 15 years into the biggest fishing event on the calendar of island and remarkably for such a tiny island.The event sees fishermen taking to the sea as early as 1 o’ clock in the morning in many different categories; trolling, long line, seine, bottom line etc and return at 3pm.
On the day fish is prepared in many different ways and serve with side dishes (fry, stew, boil, roast, etc). At the is also a solid bar and music to keep you going. At the end of the competition prizes are awarded to the fisherman with the heaviest catch in each category, the heaviest single catch/ fish, each boat also receives a token of appreciation for participating.