Latest update January 18th, 2025 7:00 AM
Meadowbank Wharf a death trap
Fishermen and boat owners, who operate at the Meadow Bank Wharf, are calling on
A fisherman walks cautiously across the slippery plank
the relevant authority to look into the deteriorating condition of the facility.
Some fisher folks are convinced that the facility’s management, Georgetown Fishermen’s Cooperative Society Limited, is not looking into their interests.
Loose planking, a slippery deck, damaged walkways, no sanitary facility and the absence of professional guards are some of the complaints fishermen have.
According to a fisherman, in 2010, management replaced a few deck boards but that was only a drop in the ocean. The man deemed the facility’s condition as hazardous to the safety of both fishermen and customers.
He explained that the wharf is busiest before dawn with many persons buying and selling seafood. Poor lighting, loose planks and fish slime are a dangerous combination to unsuspecting visitors to the wharf.
He recounted that on many occasions persons fell prey to the hostile environment and were injured.
He added that boats operate via a trip system, and as such, every trip a boat utilizes the facility a moorage fee of $3,000 is paid to the Society. This amount was expected to contribute towards the maintenance and repairs of the wharf.
However, the wharf is visibly falling apart.
Another fisherman noted that management only collects the money and is hardly around to ensure the operations of the wharf are done in the interest of its customers. They stressed that the Society also earns money from the trucks that utilize its front entrance to sell fish during the mornings.
He emphasized that the waterfront was not dredged in a while.
The man stressed that boats are forced to utilize only a small portion of the wharf, adding to an already frustrating situation.
The fishermen noted that although they work tediously at sea and contribute significantly to the economy, they are forced to work under poor conditions.
According to Denzil Roberts, Chief Fisheries Officer of the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture, the facility is in need of rehabilitation but the Society would have to pronounce on that.
He added that approximately 190 boats are moored at the wharf. On a daily basis about 5,000 lbs of fish are available at the facility and roughly 100,000 lbs on a monthly basis.
Attempts to contact the management of the facility were unsuccessful.
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