One of the Last: A Fisherman’s Legacy on Bell Island In tribute to Rendell Clarke, age 76 – Lobster Fisherman Bell Island, located in Conception Bay, has a rich fishing history deeply tied to the island’s maritime culture. Long before industrial development, local residents relied on inshore cod fishing, using small boats and traditional methods passed down through generations. The cold, nutrient-rich waters around Bell Island made it an ideal spot for cod, a staple of the Newfoundland economy. While the island later became more widely known for its iron ore mining industry, fishing remained an essential livelihood for many families. The cod moratorium of 1992 marked a turning point, drastically reducing fishing activity and impacting the island's economy and way of life. Today, fishing continues on a smaller scale, both commercially and recreationally, preserving a key part of Bell Island's heritage. With another lobster season commencing, I would like to pay tribute to the former fishermen of Bell Island and all over NL— and to my father, Rendell Clarke, a 76-year-old lobster fisherman who has worked the waters for over 60 years. He is one of the last of his kind on Bell Island. My father is more than just a fisherman. Like those before him, he is a man shaped by saltwater, hard work, and tradition. He has spent a lifetime rising with the tide, braving the wind, and trusting the rhythms of the sea. Through early mornings, biting cold, and countless seasons, he has labored with quiet strength and deep respect for the waters that have sustained both our family and this community. He learned the ways of the sea from his father, Arthur Clarke Sr., and in time became a master in his own right — not just of lobster fishing, but of endurance, integrity, and humility. He has carried forward a tradition that few understand, and even fewer can uphold. Now, as one of the last remaining fishermen on Bell Island, our father stands as a symbol of resilience, of living history, and of the enduring bond between land, sea, and spirit. Of course, behind every fisherman stands a family — and behind every season is a wife who held things together at home. Our mother, like so many NL fishermen’s wives, made their own quiet sacrifices. They kept the household running and their strength was steady and unwavering — a different kind of endurance, one that deserves just as much respect. Like they say, “After all these years of fishing, my wife is still my best catch.” Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of my grandfather (Dad Clarke), my father, and his brothers navigating the narrow path and the damp, slippery tunnel at Grebe’s Nest. I can still see them — surefooted and strong — finding their way to that quiet, sandy beach beyond, a secret haven carved into the shoreline. I would wait anxiously for their return, hoping for a good haul, but also eager to earn a single dollar — my “share,” as Dad Clarke would call it — a small reward that felt like pure gold. Those moments left a lasting impression, not just of the fishing life, but of the pride and patience, the faith and family that came with it.  To watch my father work is to witness something rare — a lifetime of knowledge passed through generations, honed by experience, and driven by love: love for the ocean, for the island, and for those he holds dear. Dad, Rendell — your story is woven into the tides of Bell Island. You’ve left more than a mark — you’ve left a legacy.  I am proud to walk in your footsteps, to share your name, and to carry the values you’ve lived by every single day. Thank you for everything — for the lessons, the laughter, the stories, and the strength. Good luck with another season, Dad. You are truly one of a kind.