Clare Valley Fisherman Eli Slater successfully defended his Fisherman of the Year title on Monday.
He landed a 929-pound catch to top the Class 1 category in this year’s Fisherman’s Day competition and secured the title for the second straight year.
It was the third time Slater had won the competition, having also won in 2007.
Slater emerged ahead of a strong Class One lineup in which 107 fishers and 48 vessels entered the overall competition, with 28 boats returning with catch and a total haul of 5,872 pounds of fish for the day.
Slater received an EC$25,000 cash prize, six bottles of engine oil, one compass, a case of Hairoun beer, a case of Village Ram, a Samsung Galaxy S26, and a package of seamoss products.
Speaking briefly after receiving the title at the Kingstown Fish Market, Slater, a retired Coast Guard officer, said he was pleased with the result.
Slater attributed his performance to a deliberate change in fishing technique, influenced by regional experience.
“My success is a different type of fish. Presently a semi-long line,” he said, noting that a colleague from Grenada had introduced him to the method, which includes using live bait.
Oscar Richardson placed second with 742 pounds, receiving EC$12,000, one raincoat, one “taste of Guinness”, one compass, and four bottles of engine oil.
Third place went to Lamar Cordice, who landed 567 pounds and received EC$7,000, one raincoat, one “taste of Guinness”, one compass, four bottles of engine oil, and a $300 voucher from Lulley’s Tackle Shop.
Slater’s 929-pound haul capped a highly competitive Class 1 category.
Key Class 1 results included:
Single heaviest fish
- 1st – Winston Hazelwood — 143.7 pounds
- 2nd – Eli Slater — 99.4 pounds
- 3rd – Oscar Richardson — 94.5 pounds