Food producer network 2020 grantee

Julian Magras

Julian Magras is a fourth-generation licensed commercial fisherman with more than 30 years of experience. Julian promotes sustainable fishing in the USVI and is an active member of various Caribbean and USVI fishing councils. His fishing business operates out of the Gustav A. Quetel Fish House in Frenchtown, St Thomas. From there, Julian sails with his crew on a 25-foot boat to catch Caribbean spiny lobsters, yellowtail snapper, queen parrotfish, old wife, red hind, French grunt, blue runner, and other local seafood species.

The grant will help him recoup his capacity to catch and distribute fish by replacing fish and lobster traps that were lost during the hurricanes of 2017. These wire traps are handmade using a unique family design that has been perfect over generations. With the purchase of construction materials, Julian will be able to build 90 traps, allowing him to increase the number of fishing trips he makes each week. He’ll also acquire an industrial vacuum sealer, vital for the safe distribution of fresh fish and seafood.