After receiving a call from the relevant Trinidadian authorities that 17 Guyana-registered vessels were abandoned in that country’s jurisdiction, Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn is urging the Mari-time Admiration Depart-ment (MARAD) and the Fisheries Department at the Agriculture Ministry to share information more freely.
He stated yesterday, in an impromptu meeting with MARAD Head Claudette Rogers and Safety Director Stephen Thomas, that the vessels which were found abandoned in Trinidadian waters had to be properly identified, with both MARAD and the fisheries department knowing the status of vessels registered and operating out of Guyana. Benn told officials that MARAD “should have a structured formal arrangement with [the fisheries dept] so they will tell you every quarter or every month who they have licensed.”
He said the 17 vessels that were found abandoned appeared to not be in operation, but it was MARAD’s obligation to perform due diligence and confirm whether the vessels were operating, if they had fishing licenses and if they were in fact all fishing boats. When MARAD received notification of the 17 vessels in Trinidadian waters it