Seabob (shrimp) fishing resumed on October 5, after seven weeks of closure in keeping with protocols established between the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) and the Ministry of Agriculture.
According to a press release from the ministry, the practice which is a global one is aimed at allowing various fisheries to multiply or replenish so as to ensure growth and sustainability.
During the last assessment in June 2013 of the Seabob stock, it was deemed fully exploited but not overfished. Through this process, a proposed Harvest Control Rule (considered as ‘best practices’ in fisheries management) was drafted. Currently, the rule allows for an overall days-at-sea; 87 licences, each with an allocated 225 days at sea.
In 2014, the implementation of the rule commenced and is now being monitored and enforced by the key stakeholders among whom are Pritipaul Singh Investment, Noble House Seafoods, BEV Processors, Guyana Quality Seafoods but particularly the Fisheries Department through the Seabob Working Group (SWG).Vessels are also being monitored and managed consistently by officers within the Fisheries Department.
During the closed seasons, fishing is usually prohibited, an observance which has been in practice for several years in Guyana. Companies usually conduct fleet maintenance and revision training for fishermen, while management staff would venture on their annual vacation leave.
Final measures are also being put in place for the Seabob Fishery to enter into an assessment for achievement of Maritime Stewardship Council Certifi-cation (MSC), which effectively ensures that harvesting and management of fisheries are being done in a sustainable manner which would allow for global markets.
Some of the measures implemented include installation of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and By-Catch Reduction Devices (BRD’s) on trawler vessels and the drafting of fisheries regulations.
There is also a seabob fishery observer programme being conducted through funding from the WWF (Guianas) and supported by the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and the GATOSP. This programme will run for one year.
