Nov. 21, 2003 – Sen. Lorraine L. Berry has sounded the call for concerned islanders to come to the aid of local fishermen, Rick and Jason Berry, who have incurred a nearly insurmountable debt as the result of a judgement made against them in a B.V.I. courtroom in October, according to a release from Berry's office.
The brothers were arrested Oct. 15, 2002, when they were caught unloading fish from a pot in B.V.I. waters, and though the two plead guilty to fishing without a valid license and registration, looking to the court for leniency, they now face $11,000 in fines, the loss of their $25,000 fishing boat, and a mountain of expenses brought on by most of a year spent in court, according to an earlier Source report. (See, B.V.I. Fines 2 Fishermen $11k and Takes Their Boat.)
And it looks like it's going to be music, dance and Sen. Berry to the rescue.
At a meeting held in Hull Bay last Saturday to discuss the plight of the brothers and what might be done to help them, it was decided to hold a benefit-dance to help get the Berry's back out onto the sea where they belong.
The dance is planned for 4 p.m until whenever on Saturday, Nov. 29, with food and drinks a-plenty, as well as the Sea Breeze Band and DJ Vince Bryan who've decided to lend their music to the cause. All proceeds from the event, and any additional monetary pledges collected, will be placed in an account established for the Berry brothers.
"The family went into debt to purchase the boat and highly expensive fishing equipment, which included 400 fish pots," Sen. Berry stated in a release, urging the public to attend the function and, "Don't just stand by, stand by our fishermen."
There will be an important organizational meeting held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Hull Bay Hideaway, and anyone interested in helping out should plan on being there.
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