Finished with fishing

By Anne Barker

FOR THE SOU’WESTER

He's spent 28 seasons fishing and 20 winters teaching Marine Institute courses. Now Don Tremblett is leaving Newfoundland for Alberta.

Unlike many Newfoundlanders who take seasonal jobs in the west, Tremblett says this is a permanent work move. While he hopes to return to the province for vacations, until he retires – in about16 years – Alberta will be his home.

Bonavista's former mayor says although he loved fishing and teaching, he's making a move he should have made in 1992 when the Northern Cod Moratorium was announced.

"Looking back, I think of the opportunity I had to get more education or training. I always wanted more education, but because I spent the moratorium teaching courses to other fishermen, I never took advantage of the biggest opportunity of my life."

Although he often regretted that decision, Tremblett says he never considered giving up fishing. It was a career he began when he left school and joined his father on his boat.

In later years he and his brother had a new and bigger vessel built

In recent years he gave up his own enterprise to become a crewman, then skipper of a 65' boat. He says he would still be doing it today if fate hadn't intervened.

"I was supposed to have some medical tests but because I was going out to sea for a few days, I cancelled the appointment. However, my doctor wouldn't let me get away with it a second time.

"Watching that boat leave the harbour without me was the worst feeling in the world. For the next few days I was totally lost," recalls Tremblett.

But it wouldn't be the first time the boat sailed without him. Medical reasons saw Tremblett lose the next two voyages. He says it was still hard the second time, but when the boat left for the third time without him, he wasn't really upset.

"I didn't fish at all last year and I can't believe the way I felt. For all these years I thought I couldn't live without fishing, but I can. I will always love the sea. Now I know there is life off the water and that's what I'm going to do. I'm moving on with my life."

Tremblett will also miss teaching fishing courses for the Marine Institute. However, it's his experience as a teacher that is leading him to Alberta, and a job in the oil industry as a safety instructor. To prepare he will attend classes in Calgary and Edmonton to complete his qualifications.

Looking back, if Tremblett had left the fishery in 1992 for training and another career, he might well have missed out on one of the most memorable experiences of his life.

In 1997, he was the Mayor of Bonavista and host to the world when the 500-year-old fishing town celebrated the landfall of John Cabot.

The previous year he traveled to Bristol, England, to see the Matthew replica. On June 24, 1997, the Matthew, following a recreation of Cabot's voyage, arrived in Bonavista. Joining Tremblett on the wharf to meet the ship and crew were Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Premier Brian Tobin and many other dignitaries. Prince Phillip, in particular, was very interested in Tremblett's profession, asking him what species he caught and where he fished.

"Maybe in another 20 years when I retire and come back to Bonavista, I'll have another go at politics - municipal or, perhaps provincial,” he says. “One never knows what could happen. After all, I never thought I'd see the day when I'd give up fishing unless I was forced to do so.

"There's no reason I can't be fishing now, but the desire isn't there any more. I'm not saying I'll never fish again because one never knows what's in the future,” he adds. “I do know that I'm excited about moving on and trying new things. I also believe it's the right thing for me to do."

(Anne Barker is a journalist with Transcontinental Media’s Packet newspaper and a contributor to the Sou’Wester.)