Thirteen fisheries officers have successfully completed the Marine Mammal Observer training programme facilitated by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee of the United Kingdom.
A release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) said that the accomplishment of this milestone demonstrates the Government of Guyana’s commitment to biodiversity protection within Guyana’s marine and inland waterways.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha on Wednesday appointed the fisheries officers to act as Marine Mammal Observers in accordance with the provisions of Section 17 (1) of the Fisheries (Marine Mammal Protection) Regulation 2022, under the Fisheries Act of 2002,
DPI said that the appointments authorize the Marine Mammal Observers to serve aboard vessels operating within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone and hinterland waterways to inspect, document, and report on the presence of marine mammals, potential interactions, and species abundance in accordance with the regulations.
Mustapha underscored the importance of this initiative, which is aimed at ensuring Guyana has the essential personnel and regulatory framework, further improving the protection of Guyana’s rich marine biodiversity while ensuring that all seafood exported has been harvested in a responsible manner.
