Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday said that he is “often embarrassed” about the fact that the country does not seem to have a continuous and sustained effort in addressing challenges affecting fisherfolk and has also expressed concern at the low number of fishing boats being licensed.
“Mostly, since independence, we have made some real genuine efforts to bring remedies, but these efforts never have staying power and we always seem to return to the status quo,” he said at the Fisherfolk Day observance held yesterday at the Rosignol Ferry Stelling. The local industry has been continuously plagued with piracy and several fishermen have died with efforts to end the scourge being short-lived. The ministry has come under criticism for the limited progress made in this regard.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Khan, Secretary/Manager of the Greater Georgetown Fisherman’s Co-op Society has expressed concern that foreign fishermen are in the country to make fish plants and are building houses for the staff that they would import. He was worried that “when they come here to do fishing there would be no fish for local consumption.” Right now, he said, “Catfish and Banga Mary are selling at $60 and $120 per pound.”
Khan emphasised that they “cannot allow foreign nationals to come and fish in this country because it would destroy Guyana and you fishermen of this country there would be no more for you.” He wants government to look at the concern and said one fish plant is at Land of Canaan and the other is in the Coldigen area. He warned the fishers that if they do not act now they would be “finished with within two years time.”
Ramsammy sounded a warning on overfishing noting that it is a major challenge around the world. While Guyana’s marine resource is still high, it is not limitless and over-fishing is a real problem, he said. He commended the Guyana Fishing Trawlers Association for their cooperation in addressing this issue. “We have opted for some voluntary action to prevent over-fishing. For example, we are seeking to limit the fleet size for trawlers in the trawling activity for seabobs. We have asked operators to reduce their fleets to ensure we do not deplete our stocks. But failing to do so in a voluntary effort will elicit a stern effort imposed by the government,” the minister declared.
He said that Guyana is looking forward to participating in the study of Sustainable Use of Fishing Resources being done through the CRFM/JICA. “We are building capacity so that we could determine the stock levels for deep sea marine resources, artisanal fishing and inland fishing,” he said.
The minister spoke about aquaculture and inland fishing being part of the solution, while noting that aquaculture has been growing slowly in Guyana, but marine and inland fishing continues to be the major source of fish. In terms of aquaculture, Guyana has reached an average of about 400,000 kg of production and an export average of about 56,000 kg annually, he said.
‘Licensing’
The minister also lamented that the local licensing mechanism has not been efficient. He noted that Suriname has warned that it will increase Coast Guard activities in its waters and all Guyanese boats in Surinamese waters must ensure they are licensed to fish in Suriname. He expressed hope that a Fisheries Agreement will be signed soon.
Licensing continues to be a challenge, the minister declared. “A boat count of Artisanal Vessels in the last year revealed that there are 1,234 of boats, an increase from the last count in 2005. Some have estimated the count at about 2,000 artisanal vessels operating in our waters. However, of great concern was that only approximately 1/3 had fishing licences last year. Whilst we realise sometimes the Fisheries Department does not have in place offices through-out the regions to receive monies, steps have been taken for the officers to visit each region at least once per quarter so as to facilitate the maximum boats having licences,” he said. “Licensing and ensuring fishing is done within the regulated environment is critical for the growth of the fishing industry,” the minister added.
“The success and safety of fishing and the various stakeholders depend on the authorities knowing how many persons are engaged directly and indirectly in the industry, and where fishing is done. We need these data, so that, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, MARAD and other stakeholders, we can be able to serve you better, offer more security at sea, and you will be able to receive the benefits that a licensed boat is expected to receive,” he said.
Ramsammy appealed to fishermen to cooperate with fisheries staff when they go out to collect data. “The information received helps in understanding the magnitude of the industry. We can be able to have an idea of how your catches are over the years and even to take measures that will ensure the sustainability of the resources out there,” he said. Ramsammy added that the Fisheries Advisory Board will be resuscitated by the end of July.
‘Green’ Tilapia
Meanwhile, the gathering heard about the achievement of the Trafalgar/Union Community Development Committee (TUCDC) of No 29 Village, West Berbice. The theme of yesterday’s activity was “The Role of the Women in the Fisheries Sector” and president of the TUCDC, Lloyda Angus said the organisation endeavours to work with women in the community to grow Red Tilapia of international standard.
According to Angus, the TUCDC “has been able to grow tilapia using best practices thus making history in controlled fish farming in Guyana, producing 3,000 pounds in one half acres pond from a total of nine ponds.” She said too that, “our fish is termed green, meaning it is all natural, free of chemical and parasites, no antibiotics, no hormones, no growth stimulant and other undesired features with a single fish weighing over three pounds.”
The farm is operated by 13 women, some of whom are engaged in the “recording of fish feed, weighing of the fish every 12 to 14 days to determine the grams gained, testing water quality, maintenance of ponds and accounting records which makes women unique in this sectors.” She said through the venture, the TUCDC hopes to “empower women, making it possible for every woman to be self-motivated to develop self, family and community.”
In 2009 they joined National Aqua-Cultural Association of Guyana (NAAG) and the Guyana Trade & Investment Support that was a part of the USAID. The following year four ponds were excavated and four others reconstructed. Members volunteered to work for one year and were trained with technical skills. She said proudly that “today hard work has paid off and through combined efforts with USAID, tilapia rearing has been revolutionised…”
Meanwhile, Khan called on government to assist with the dredging and repairs to most of the fishing facilities in the country.
He said the fishers would like to have assistance with duty free concession or permission to import their own fuel. Khan said the country has eight artisanal fisheries with 8,000 fishermen. There are also 3,000 women who are involved in the processing and selling of fish. He recalled that in the 60s two women from Whim, Corentyne used to go out with boats and nets and fish “just like men.”
Reuben Charles, a representative of the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners & Seafood Processors (GATOSP), said members are looking forward to government’s assistance is solving the silting problem in the Demerara River at the Meadow Bank wharf area. He pointed out too that, “the industry endures severe stress and difficulty with regards to obtaining diesel fuel for its operation.” His association was “extremely grateful” though that “government has facilitated measures which eliminated a significant part of that stress.”
Charles also told the gathering that GATOSP has seen results in the catch of seabobs. The Guyana Seabob Fishery (GSF) and the Ministry of Agriculture, he said, are working to obtain Marine Stewardship Council certification.
