To enhance fisheries surveillance and enforcement capabilities, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Department, in collaboration with the Guyana Association of Trawlers Owners and Seafood Processors is implementing Vessel Moni-toring Systems (VMS) on all marine vessels.
A release from the ministry said this will bring the industry a step closer to being certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC). The MSC certification contributes to the health of the world’s oceans by recognising rewarding sustainable fishing practices.
Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy stated that such a move will significantly aid the fisheries sector as better monitoring of vessels, and accountability will now be more evident.
He urged vessel operators to comply with the new standard since products using the MSC labels have a greater advantage in the global market.
The release said that the installation of the VMS units on fishing vessels is one of the major activities the Fisheries Department will further promote in 2014. To date, the Ministry of Agriculture has received all the VMS units, but only 30 units have been installed on seabob shrimp vessels.
It said that negotiations are continuing with the National Frequency Management Unit to have the remainder frequencies allocated and to have the units installed on fishing vessels.
The Ministry will require all vessels to be compliant before issuing licences. Minister Ramsammy said that such a move will aid in traceability of the catch, as well as the surveillance efforts of the Fisheries Depart-ment.
The release said that the implementation of the Vessel Monitoring Systems will also assist the Fisheries Department to monitor fishermen to ensure they are in compliance with the Harvest Control Rule (HCR). The HCR determines the amount of days a vessel is permitted to fish for a year in order to ensure the resource is sustainably harvested.
Minister Ramsammy revealed, “Another area for development is boundaries. Presently, negotiations are being done to have fathom lines enforced. Once this is done there will be boundary levels where seabob or prawns vessels are allow(ed) to catch.” This is to ensure survival of juveniles in order to replenish the stock.
The VMS, is a satellite based positional tracking system. These devices consist of a Global Positioning System (GPS), and a satellite data transmitter that provides information on vessel name, location and activity, the release added.
