St. Augustine has a rich history of Minorcan culture, including developing specialized cast and seine nets to catch mullet and shellfish. These nets were hand sewn with lead weights. In around 30 hours of work, a skilled craftsman could create a seven-foot net. Over 154 years of net-making expertise helped the shrimping and boatbuilding industries thrive. As technology advanced, hand-sewn nets were replaced by mechanized fabrication. Today, the true art of net making is kept alive by select artisans like Mike Usina. • • • • #MinorcanHistoryMonday #MinorcanHeritageMonth #LoveYourLighthouse #StAugustineLighthouse #StaLighthouse #NationsOldestPort #StAugustine #KeepTheLightShining