As we move into another new year, the Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) offers their wish list for 2015:
�2 That the Government open discussions on reasonable fishery compensation for the massive Petrotrin oil spills and COREXIT toxicity
�2 That the EMA require detailed environmental impact assessment's for all marine seismic surveys (bombing)
�2 That the Government consult stakeholders on the secret redrafting of the EMA Act
�2 That the Green Fund recipients, and quantum's dispersed from 2010 to 2014 be made public
�2 That the Government develop emergency response legislation and a co-ordinated plan for private/public facilities/equipment in national chemical and energy industry emergencies
�2 That the Government make public all maintenance schedules, public risk and warnings relating to Petrotrin's aging and dilapidated infrastructure.
�2 That the DPP charges brought against two FFOS supporters and it's corporate secretary be exposed as discriminatory and intended to control the assembly and movement of slaves, of which we are not! (Antiquated law)
�2 That FFOS judicial actions continue to protect our vulnerable, create legal precedents to ensure good public administration and ultimately benefit the Commonwealth. (FFOS are currently before the High Court on one matter and before the Appeal Court on another.)
�2 That our Honourable Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar begin peaceful mediation of the concerns raised by the Highway Re-Route Movement
�2 That the Government extend a humanitarian arm to those fisher families who have recently suffered loss on the North Coast, while also assisting our members to obtain insurance (currently unavailable)
�2 That Government uphold the law, prosecute illegal and unsustainable shrimp trawlers recently arrested poaching east of Saut D'Eau Island, and enforce the "One Strike Out" clause agreed by all 18 stakeholders!
�2 That our God-given potable water aquifers on the Northern range be protected for future generations.
�2 That supplemental CECs be required for all recklessly approved quarries granted without environmental safeguards in sensitive aquifer areas.
Gary Aboud
Corporate secretary, FFOS