With piracy a recurrent problem, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Monday that plans are in place to eliminate the incidence of hijackings, in the long term, by further increasing security arrangements with fishermen and the Ministries of Agricul-ture and Home Affairs and the coast guard of the Guyana Defence Force.
A press release from the Agriculture Ministry also expressed its concern and condemnation over the frequency of the recent hijackings that are affecting the livelihood of fishermen and the fishing sector.
Stabroek News had reported that 18 fishermen from the Corentyne and East Coast Demerara were terrorized and robbed in four separate boats by pirates near the Corentyne River on January 4.
One of the victims, William Busgith, 51, who was robbed just off the shore at Number 43 Village said this was not his first experience with pirates. In the past he was robbed of his engines, seine and other articles but none of them was recovered.
He said he had taken loans from the bank to invest in his business and it would be difficult to start all over again. And five more fishermen were robbed on the Corentyne Coast when pirates struck again on the afternoon of January 6, robbing them of their engines and other items, leaving them to drift to shore the next morning.
According to several fishermen, the GDF coast guard which has received a number of craft over the years should be doing more frequent patrols, particularly during periods when the pirates are known to increase their activity.
The ministry noted that late last year it had initiated another round of meetings with fishermen and victims, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and law enforcement agencies to discuss areas for greater cooperation to reduce hijackings. As a result several engines were recovered by collaborative investigation undertaken by fishermen and members of the Guyana Police Force.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture is exploring the possibility of assisting those who were affected, the release added.