Guyana nets bigger fish hauls in 2012

Dec 30, 2012 News

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…but piracy, fuel costs prove daunting

The country’s fishing industry has shown significant growth over the last 11 months, but pirate attacks and costs of fuel continue to pose the greatest of challenges. There have been a number of fishermen killed and reports of stolen boats, engines and catches over the past months with few arrests made. A number of fishermen also remain missing since the attacks.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture in its year-end report, the fishing industry continues to grow in economic importance in Guyana, providing a source of relatively cheap animal protein and employment for many persons in the rural areas.
“It also ensures that the population remains among the highest per capita consumption of fish and fish products within the region.  However, there is an increasing pressure on the marine resources as such measures are being taken to ensure that the fishing industry remains sustainable.”

Aquaculture production between January to November saw farmers harvesting approximately 239 metric tonnes, a slight increase from last year figures.
For November, marine production figures for the same period indicate production of approximately 47,000 metric tonnes, already surpassing last year total figures.
Revenue collection from licencing of various activities in the marine subsector indicates a figure of over $24M, increasing over last year’s by $7M.
According to the Ministry, regarding the potential for sports fishing, a Draft Inland Fisheries Policy and Strategic Plan has been completed and workshop held to prepare an action plan. “Currently, the draft is being finalised to be presented to the Fisheries Department for review and to be presented to the Minister of Agriculture for approval and subsequent implementation. We continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism in the development of the Rockstone Fish Festival and also with other partners to develop sport fishing as a viable enterprise in the hinterland regions.”
The development of aqua-culture and Fish Diversification Program, which includes farming of tilapia and hassar, saw more lands being put in use – some 3,000 hectares (ha) in total.
“While about 2,500 ha of this is brackish aquaculture along the coast, about 500 ha of fresh water aquaculture is now producing tilapia and other fish for local and international consumption.Approximately 60,000 tilapia fingerlings were produced to date at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station and made available to local aquaculture practitioners.”
Meanwhile, on the issue of ensuring that Guyana complies with global standards of sea fishing, the Ministry disclosed that its Fisheries Department is collaborating with the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) in pursuit of the Marine Stewardship Council Certification on the sustainable exploitation of seabob resources.
“It is expected that by next year all trawlers would be equipped with VMS (Vessel Monitoring) devices for better management of the industrial fleet. Plans are also in place for the implementation of the by-catch reduction (BRD) devices on trawling nets.”
These measures, the Ministry said, along with others will ensure that conflict among the industrial fleet and the many artisanal fishers will be reduced as there will be the capacity to keep track of the industrial fleet to prevent encroachment on the fishing grounds of the artisanal boat. Damage to seines and other equipment will be reduced also.
This year, a 6% reduction of the number of fishing trawling fleet was implemented.
“Another close season has been implemented from August 28th 2012 to October 08th 2012 for all vessels harvesting seabob as one of the measures in ensuring sustained production. These measures are all implemented with the aim to ensure that the fisheries sector remains vibrant and thus ensuring food security, income generation for the rural population and poverty reduction as employment is generated along the production process all the way to market.”
US inspectors were also in Guyana to check on trawlers in the fishing zone to ensure that they are complying with the use of the turtle excluder devices. The US is Guyana’s biggest customer for fish and shrimp.
According to the Ministry, Guyana continues to collaborate with the region through the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) to assess the stock within the region and nationally.
During the year also, a meeting was held between the Ministers of Agriculture of Guyana and Suriname on possible collaborations and a fishing agreement is currently being formulated for discussion at next meeting.
“The constant threat of piracy also would be addressed in the agreement as well as the licensing arrangements and it is envisaged that some regulations would be harmonised so that the fisherfolks from both sides would be able to work in a more secure environment.”

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