The St. Vincent government was slow to restrict or outlaw it but restrict it they did, each year making whaling a little more difficult. More formidable for the whalers was the change taking place in Bequia. When we first arrived the only way to get there was by island schooner or sailboat. The roads were few and poor. There were more donkeys than cars.
Today there are no donkeys but plenty of autos.
One can helicopter to Bequia. Very little of the island had electricity when we first came. Now the island is electrified and television takes precedence over conversation in the rum shop. The standard of living has gone up and people can earn more serving tourists than they can chasing whales. Through all this Athneal carried on.