The partnership between Guyana and the United States to combat illegal fishing has seen a positive start and Washington says it will continue to pursue regional cooperation as seen in the recent Operation Southern Cross.
“Our strategy, I think, is very straightforward, as I outlined, and we hope that countries will join us in that strategy,” Vice Admiral Steven Poulin, Atlantic Area Commander, U.S. Coast Guard on Friday told a Department of State telephonic regional press conference, when asked by Stabroek News how the U.S. would help this country in combatting the problem, given complaints by local fisherfolk of bullying by Venezuelans in this country’s waters.
“And we got off to a great start with Guyana, and that is to continue to strengthen our partnerships to expand the awareness of the issues globally, to continue to have that persistent exchange of information, and to look to conduct joint operations in the future with all of our partners to get after this very real and serious problem,” he added.