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Piracy fight…
Berbice fishermen install radio equipment at
Number 66 base
Berbice fishermen’s fight against piracy has taken another crucial step forward with the installation of a long-range radio set during the past week.
Chairman of the Number 66 Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Coop, Pravinchandra Deodat, disclosed yesterday that the antenna for the radio set has been installed and a request made for an additional five persons to be trained in the use of guns.
The facility, one of the main fishing bases in Berbice, has also been granted five shotgun licences.
Piracy reached crisis levels last year in Berbice with Government being forced to step in and join forces with neighboring Suriname to fight the scourge.
Several persons have been captured and placed before Suriname and Guyana courts, and there has been a notable lull in the incidence. Recently, the Guyana Government tabled legislation to make piracy acts unbailable.
Earlier, this year, through the intervention of Government, the Coast Guard announced that two boats will be permanently placed off the waters of Berbice to provide security for fishermen.
This announcement came as Government launched an Anti-Piracy Revolving Fund. Under the “insurance” fund which will be run by the sub-committee of the Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Agriculture, fishermen will be able to claim back as much as 20% for loss of engines, seines and boats due to piracy acts.
Last year, the Ministry donated two boats complete with engines to the Essequibo and Berbice Fishermen’s Co-op Societies for use as patrol boats.
Additionally, some $15 million has been committed to develop a state-of-the-art communication system that will allow a quicker response by Law Enforcement officials during or immediately after a piracy attack.
Some $5 million has been allocated by the government to establish the fund.
Under the security programme, fish co-ops will be equipped with communications equipment linking them to boat operators and could even allow for distressed fishermen to be located using the Global Positioning System (GPS) radios and special wristwatches.
Fishing in Guyana is crucial, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud had emphasised, noting that some 13,000 household depend on the industry for a living with almost $55 million being earned annually from seafood export.
However, he warned, fishermen must play their part in improving the industry, not just leaving it to the fishing co-op officials; every member has a responsibility.
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