Blacktip Island’s 49th Annual Jack Rodeo winner Marina DeLow herds her school of horse-eye jacks toward an underwater pen Monday afternoon off the Caribbean island’s northern point. (photo by Wendy Beaufort/BTT staff)
Blacktip Island residents celebrated New Year’s Day Monday with their 49th Annual Jack Rodeo near The Pinnacle dive site on the small Caribbean island’s northern tip.
“It’s been the traditional way to welcome the new year that combines reef fish and scuba diving,” organizer Kay Valve said. “Jacques Cousteau started it, back in the 70s. The Calypso stopped here for repairs, and he and the crew began fish herding to pass the time. I think some New Year’s alcohol was involved, too.
“The goal is to get your circling school of horse-eye jacks into an underwater pen in the shortest time possible,” Valve said. “Points are deducted for any jacks not penned, and bonus points are awarded for any other fish—jacks or otherwise—also herded into the pen. We have submerged cameras covering the entire reef so people can watch from shore.”
Event organizers noted the round up is highly competitive.
“We get fish wranglers from all around the Caribbean coming here to see how they measure up,” Clete Horn said. “Some of ‘em even train Nassau groupers to help the herding, kind of like border collies do with sheep. Except underwater. And with scales instead of hair. That’s why we created separate ‘assisted’ and ‘non-assisted’ categories this year.”
Others stressed the inherent dangers in the event.
“To get reliable schools of jacks, we have to drop divers in at the tip of the island, where they congregate,” Val Schrader said. “Problem with that is, there’s usually a ton of current up there. That’s what brings the jacks in. Herders have to be cognizant of that at all times. Some days, you get down current, it’s game over.
“The current and all the jacks also attracts sharks,” Schrader said. “We have spotters posted all around to shoo them away with lionfish spears. The trick is to stay close enough to the wranglers to keep them safe, but at the same time stay far enough away you don’t spook the jacks. It’s a delicate balance.”
The 2024 winner is local divemaster Marina DeLow, who penned her school of jacks in a record time of 5:13.
“I’ve been in the running before, but was always just shy of winning,” DeLow said. “This year I changed my strategy and herded them up current, and it worked like a charm. It’s an honor to finally hoist the coveted Golden Jack trophy overhead.”
The event was followed by a fish cookout on the beach, accompanied by local coconut mead and sea grape wine. Live music was courtesy of local band Effing Zeagles.
“It’s an event for the entire family,” Valve said. “It truly brings the community together in a positive way to start the new year.”
The Blacktip Times 