La Coloma’s “Sea Wolf”

He is introduced as an old sea wolf, but his real name is Ramon Pino Rodriguez. He has spent more than 50 years as the captain of a vessel. This and his vast knowledge on fishing are the reason why he is nicknamed the Sea Wolf, as Ernest Hemingway’s Gregorio Fuentes, captain of the popular yatch El Pilar.

It is Saturday, but work does not stop at the Industrial Fishing Enterprise La Coloma (EPICOL). It is the same either in the open sea or in the industry. The quiet sea, the strong heat of summer, and Ramon makes the most of his noon and sets the ferrocement that will take him to the gulf for fishing.

With his Coloma’s pride and the simplicity of any worker, Ramon left the vessel and talked about his life with emotions in a short period of time.

It is marvelous everything I hear from him. “Star among stars”, “honorable among the most honorable men”, and “tireless worker” are some of his many virtues.

I feel the hardness of the work he does. He has spent several years facing salty residue, open sea dawns, and the ardent sun of this geography.

Why Sea Wolf?

“Well…We are born and raised here and we have always achieved great productive results.”

My dad was also a fisherman. He took us with him since we were children. We are 28 siblings. 22 of us have devoted our lives to this profession. I have five children and four of them work for EPICOL.

What sort of fishing do you carry out?

This small vessel you see here is ferrocement 332; we use the net, a technique that allows us to fish different species. But our main target is the lobster.

How many fishermen are there with you in your vessel?

Nine. Three of them are my sons. I have also one of my brothers with me.

Aren’t you afraid of the sea? Or those dawns far from the land?

Never, journalist! When have you seen a fisherman afraid of the sea? There is where I feel great.

How much time do you spend in the ocean?

It depends. The ice for the lobster is one example. We need to go out with enough ice to preserve it and in such way the lobster does not lose quality. We are generally out five or six days.

How are you treated in La Coloma?

Just perfect. Everyone loves me. In Diego Perez, a village between Matanzas and Cienfuegos, the best fishermen of Cuba gather and I am well-respected and I am proud of it. I like La Coloma to be among the best in the country.

The sea for you…

My whole life. A passion that lives with me day and night.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Diaz / CubaSi Translation Staff