In the pictures you see the netted fish brought to shore, boats out on the hunt, the nets waiting to be cast and youngsters learning a trade passed on through generations that helps to sustain the communities of Eleuthera.
(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Hauling Jacks, in small boats, is both a team feat and a community triumph, that is alive and well in South Eleuthera. “We’ve hauled probably 300,000 or more this summer,” remarked Captain James Tynes, one of a group of men that own the small boats operating on the bight along the Green Castle coast.
It’s a trade passed on from his father, he said proudly and one some are continuing to pass on right before our eyes. As Captain Tynes was being interviewed on land, during the bright Friday afternoon, August 7th, 2015, on the water, two boats sailed in search of more fish, to be corralled and netted in to the shore. On the boats, were Captain Joe Munnings with his children, young and avidly learning the trade.
Just a day earlier, as many as 40,000 jacks were reported to have been caught, sorted and given out among crew, the community and prepared for sale across the island. “No one could beat us hauling, not in this area,” stated Captain Tynes, referring to the close knit group of haulers, which he said included Captains Joe Munnings, Otis Tynes, Jim Hall, Ronald Taylor and himself, along with their families.
“My boat can hold maybe 3 thousand, Joe’s boat can hold 3-4 thousand, Jim can hold nearly 7 – 8 thousand. These are the boat’s right here that haul Jacks,” Tynes explained as he pointed out the treasured areas along the coast where the giant schools are netted, calling out the areas dubbed First Bay, Mackey Point, and Co Point.
The longtime annual tradition of hauling jacks has been going on all summer, beginning during the month of May and is expected to continue through the end of August. “All the settlements are full of Jack, we have them full right now,” said Tynes.
When the Jack season is over, others open… it’s an all year round job for these fishermen. “These same boats right here are some of the natives that feed the island with fish and conch. Year round we have this. Rain or sunshine, we have to go out to make a dollar. When you have children to feed, bills to pay – you know what I mean? So you have to get out there and do it,” added Tynes.
After really large hauls, Tynes shared that the fishermen were generous and community minded, saying, “When we can’t sell them, we give them away to the poor, who can’t afford to buy them. But we fill our freezers up so when the Jacks go, they still are coming by. God blessed us, so we bless them. That’s how it goes.”
The thousands of jacks hauled during the summer months off the coast of Green Castle are sold across the island, said Tynes, from Bannerman Town to Lower Bogue.
Editor’s Note: The recent rumour of Jacks washing ashore, subsequent to our interview, is false, and is likely to be malicious or purely of an ignorant origin. It is hard work, dedication and a real treasured tradition of hauling fish, that is alive and well in the these small communities of Eleuthera.
