PARAMARIBO — Fishermen who lack the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) will not be eligible for a license.
Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery (LVV) tells de Ware Tijd he is working on restructuring the sector. He warns that anyone who refuses to comply with the rules will be kicked out. Introduction of VMS is one of the measures included in the Fishery Management plan activated at the end of June. Fishermen have to obtain the equipment by themselves.
The new system aims at removing irregularities within Surinamese coastal shipping. Fishermen are prohibited to switch off the system once it has been activated. It will also serve as a protection and help fight piracy. Several coastal fishermen have become victims of pirates. Algoe explains the system is for the entire sector. LVV aims at having the system operational on all vessels by early 2015.
