Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
EHCO notes environmental effects; disapproves potential Chinese fishing licences
The Environmental Community Health Organization (ECHO) has joined the list of concerned persons seeking clarification on the considerations of potential fishing licences to be granted to Chinese-state owned fishing vessels.
The organization is against the initiative. “We, in ECHO, believe that it would not be in the best interest of our natural environment to grant licences to Chinese fishing vessels to operate in Guyana’s waters.”
In a press release to the media, the organization noted that it is paying close attention to the issue and has expressed worry over the possible environmental threats that giant Chinese fishing companies may pose since it is concerned with overfishing; “resources being depleted faster than it is being reproduced.”
Fishing: Local operators at work.
Local Director Royston King noted, “The mood and spirit of nations all over the world is to scale back on the use of natural resources. Globally, there is an urgency to put strict regulations in place to protect biodiversity and the culture of local communities. In the face of unprecedented environmental events impacting our environment we in Guyana must do more to preserve the health of our ecology and protect local communities.”
The Environmental agency related the dangerous issue of locals continuing to hurt the environment and raised the serious issue of polluting rivers and other water sources through mining activities.
It was noted that the “continually and continuous negative environmental mining practices are impacting on marine life and other biodiversity.”
“There is the tragedy of commons- members in a group using common resources for their own gain and with no regard for others. This can lead to overexploitation of common resources. Echo has a real concern that this contemplated move by the Authorities can lead to overfishing.”
“An additional means of categorizing biological diversity is functional diversity; the variety of biological processes characteristic of a particular ecosystem. These units of diversity are interrelated. In the face of environmental change, the loss of genetic diversity weakens a population’s ability to adapt; the loss of species diversity weakens a community’s ability to adapt; the loss of functional diversity weakens an ecosystem’s ability to adapt; and the loss of ecological diversity weakens the whole biosphere’s ability to adapt.
“Because biological and physical processes are interactive, losses of biological diversity may also precipitate further environmental change. The progressively destructive routine results in impoverished biological systems, which are susceptible to collapse when faced with further environmental changes.”
ECHO is the second organization to reject the proposal of Chinese fishing licences. The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) also addressed the issue of locals being sidelined for Chinese. The body called on the government to put local operators first, while noting the huge local contracts under which Chinese nationals are getting first preference.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy however continues to state that the Chinese will not be given fishing licences that will in any way affect local catches or the fishing industry on the whole.
The issue was raised some time back when information surfaced that at least 40 fishing licences were under consideration for Chinese nationals. The Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) had thus expressed great concern with the issue and requested an audience with the Agriculture Minister over a month ago.
The Minister has told media workers that he is seeking to meet with the GATOSP President to address the concerns of the worried fishing operators.
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