Concerned that government initiatives could cripple the fishing industry, fishermen are uniting and mobilising to take action to avert this crisis.
A cross-section of fishermen from the Carli Bay, San Fernando and Erin Fishing Associations met with their colleagues from Cedros fishing groups on Saturday at the Cedros Community Centre to discuss their issues.
Cedros Councillor Shankar Teelucksingh, who attended the meeting, said the main issues discussed was the pollution in the Gulf of Paria caused by waste products by the various energy industries operating along the coastline, fuel increase due to the non-supply of regular gas, cost of super stream outboard oil and the possible increase in fish prices.
Due to the pollution, the fishermen complained that they now have to venture further out to sea to fish.
They discussed having to raise the price of fish between $45 to $65 if the Government does not do anything to address the increased gas and oil expenses and the pollution.
“In the area of pollution, they asked the secretaries of the various groups to write Institute of Marine Affairs and Environment Management Authority in terms of the pollution. The industries on the Point Lisas, La Brea and Point Fortin coastlines are pumping their waste product into the ocean without any proper testing and monitoring from those both agencies which are responsible for monitoring such things.”
Teelucksingh said the fishermen noted regular gas is available in Venezuela. However, they complained that Energy Minister Franklin Khan was giving no kind of representation in terms of having the gas imported here at a cheaper rate.
The fishermen also denied that they were receiving benefits as outlined by Planning and Development Minister Camille Robinson-Regis.
Teelucksingh said the small pirogues which fishermen use were not qualified for any sort of subsidy. He said the process of accessing the subsidy on engines was so frustrating that sometimes the fishermen would not even bother to apply. The duty to bring in outboard engines has also increased, according to the fishermen.
Another meeting with all the fishing groups in the country will soon be held to come up with a plan of action. Opposition Senator Gerald Ramdeen was also present at the meeting and promised to speak about the issue in Parliament on behalf of the fishermen.