Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has mandated the Fisheries Department to formulate a proposal for the reduction of Seabob licences.
This was one of new regulations aimed at ensuring more sustainable use of marine resources that were considered when he met with executives of the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Coast Guard, yesterday.
In a statement, the Ministry said Persaud highlighted several concerns regarding the fishing sector, including the increase incidence of conflicts between artisanal and industrial vessels, safety of vessels and crew and new regulations being looked at to deal with different aspects of the sector.
According to the ministry, proposals were also presented at the meeting which would seek to regulate the exploitation of resources within the fishery sector in a more efficient manner. Among the recommendations put to the fore is a reduction of the Seabob licences currently in use by 20% by January 1, 2011.
Persaud indicated that the move is laudable but cautioned that it must be made with loss of employment, reduction of economic activities and the modalities regarding such reductions, in mind. However, he also noted that the proposed reduction is not debatable and the next step is to determine the modalities regarding the implementation of further reduction. He mandated the Fisheries Department to formulate the proposal to ensure it is carried out in an efficient manner.
The implementation of a vessel monitoring system on trawlers operating in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was also discussed at the forum and it was noted that this move would facilitate a more comprehensive system of monitoring regarding the exploitation of marine resources and the ability of the authorities to respond to distress signals.
The trawler association was also requested to form a committee with the relevant agencies to formulate a plan that would see the implementation of the monitoring system by July next year.
The meeting was welcomed by all in attendance, according to the ministry, and all stakeholders made a commitment to ensure rapid implementation of proposals placed on the agenda.
