Vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Fisherfolk Kishore Boodram has called for increased security measures for fishermen, even suggesting that some be issued licensed firearms. In an interview yesterday, Boodram said escalating attacks on fishermen have left many of his colleagues in fear of going out to sea to perform the only job they knew. His strong suggestions came in light of last Thursday's shooting at the St Margaret's Village slipway in Claxton Bay, which claimed the life of 28-year-old Gary Dipnarine. Mickey Ramdass, Dipnarine's 45-year-old uncle, also an active fisherman of the area, was also shot in the attack and underwent surgery to remove several bullets from his upper body. He is reported to be in a stable condition at hospital.
Dipnarine, a barber and part-time fisherman, died on arrival at the San Fernando General Hospital after he sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. Reports stated that around 5.30 pm, Dipnarine and five relatives were offloading their catch from a fishing expedition, when a lone gunman emerged from the nearby mangroves and opened fire on the group. Ryan George, 29, who was also hurt, continues to battle for his life at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. Police are yet to make an arrest as they have not established a motive for the shooting. Boodram declined to comment on the shooting, saying it may have been caused by a personal grievance between one of the victims and the suspect rather than just an attack on fishermen. He said he knows Ramdass as an honest fisherman and that his relatives were mostly involved in sports. Over the past months, three Felicity and central Trinidad fishermen were beaten and shot to death, and their boats and engines stolen. Currently, four men are before the court charged with their murders.
Also in April, a Moruga fisherman was severely beaten and his engine stolen by alleged pirates. Boodram yesterday called on the authorities to place some urgency and attention on the plight of the Claxton Bay fishermen. "It's a serious issue because it's not just one life that has been lost but many fishermen's families are now facing the world without their loved ones. "They are risking their lives every day to provide fish to feed this nation and supply the country's export needs. Something needs to be done to protect these servants." He said Trinidad and Tobago was the only country in the world where fishermen are being neglected. Boodram said fish was an important commodity to the country and was a part of any healthy diet. He said Government always complained about the high food import bill but that could be reduced if fishermen got protection and security to ply their trade.
Despite upgrades to several fishing depots along the coastline, Boodram said Food Production Minister Vasant Bharath needed to move faster and provide more security.He called on the Coast Guard and police to conduct frequent checks on the fishing areas, while maintaining tighter security at the depots. He also said a greater rapport between Venezuelan and local national security services was needed to stem the tide of robberies on the high seas. He added: "Fishermen should have some extra power. Selected fishermen should have some firearm to help protect themselves. "With some of the things that are happening now, it is very sad. "The families around here are very concerned when their loved ones are going out to fish just to put food on their table. Something has to be done," he said.
