The Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) will make renewed efforts to meet with the Ministry of Agriculture this week over the controversial issuing of two seabob trawling licences which could threaten sustainable harvesting in the industry and overturn international certification.
A planned meeting between the two sides had to be postponed on several occasions as the holidays intervened.
President of GATOSP, Reuben Charles told Stabroek News on Sunday that with the holidays over they are ready to meet.
The association had declined an earlier invitation to meet, citing short notice given by the ministry.
Despite reports in Stabroek News for more than a month on the licences, the Ministry of Agriculture has not named the new licensees or explained through what process the approvals were granted.
After receiving reports of the licences being issued, Charles wrote to Mustapha on November 19 seeking answers.
Writing on behalf of the association, Charles argued that the issuance of new licences went against the pre-existing agreement between the Ministry and the association for sustainable fishing.
Given the implications, the WWF Guianas’ local office has also written to Mustapha seeking clarification on the context in which the licences were granted. “…We would be grateful if you can provide any information you may have in relation to this matter,” Aiesha Williams, Guyana Country Manager for the WWF Guianas, wrote in the December 11th letter, saying there was need to better understand the context in which the licences were issued.
Williams also expressed concern over the reported issuance of the new licences in a manner that could have “deep implications” for the country’s ability to maintain its Maritime Stewardship Council (MSC) certification over seabob.
The Agriculture Minister has since said that he has initiated a probe to determine the circumstances under which the approval was given but has provided no further information on the licensing.
Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Khemraj Ramjattan has since lodged questions with the National Assembly, seeking answers from Mustapha on the issuance of the licences, including requests that he identify the licensees and to indicate whether due diligence was conducted.
