Suriname to license local fishers under new Corentyne River pact

Following years of complaints by local fishermen about harassment from Surinamese patrols while plying their trade in the Corentyne River, both countries have come to an agreement that fisherfolk here will be granted licences by Paramaribo starting from January, 2022.

“I’m pleased at the conclusion of discussions between the Ministers of Agriculture, and we have found a way forward in relation to the granting of licences by Suriname to our fisherfolks and this would be in effect from January next year, and this is because that is the period that the licences are normally granted,” President Irfaan Ali on Thursday remarked at a joint press conference alongside Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

Ali also informed that the licensing of local fisherfolk would have to be done in keeping with established quota set out by the Surinamese.