GATOSP awaits meeting over Chinese fishing licences

Nov 08, 2013 News

By Zena Henry
With all the information surfacing about the possible issuance of fishing licences to Chinese nationals, the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) says it is awaiting word from the Agriculture Minister on what is actually taking place in the industry.

GATOSP President, Leslie Ramalho

President of the GATOSP, Leslie Ramalho, told Kaieteur News yesterday that the information they are receiving about the aforementioned fishing licences is what has been reported in the news. He said that it would be welcomed if the Minister would call a meeting to address concerned fishing operators. Ramalho noted however that no contact had been made with the Association, by either the Minister or Ministry, since the matter came to the fore.
Ramalho told Kaieteur News that he has not received a response to a more than a one-month-old letter that was dispatched to the minister.
The Minister was recently quoted in another section of the media as saying that no fishing licences have been issued to the Chinese. According to that report, a final agreement with the Chinese fishing vessels will address the issue of overfishing and potential environmental effects, which have been the growing concern of some stakeholders.
Ramsammy said that the industry must accept the reality of overfishing which is faced by every country, but resources should be used responsibly for sustainability. The Minister had told Kaieteur News that several foreigners, including France, Brazil, Trinidad and Barbados had stated an interest in deep sea fishing. He said that a two-page concept was presented to him by the interested company.
Kaieteur News was also told in an earlier interview with the Minister that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the Chinese seeking to conduct a study of the deep water catches. The activity was pointed towards the fact that the Chinese would be seeking fish species other than that which is caught by local operators.
The Minister was reported as saying that following the Chinese concept and species find, a detailed proposal should be presented.
In the case of deep water fishing, it was explained by the GATOSP that local operators have refrained from this, as the activity is monitored by the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and tuna-like species. The 1966 Convention, “aims to cooperate in maintaining the populations of tuna and tuna-like fish found in the Atlantic Ocean at levels which permit the maximum sustainable catch for food and other purposes through the creation of the ICCAT.”
Leslie Ramalho explained that Guyana has no quota which depends on historical data pertaining to catches and deep water species. He said this information is highly important for involvement in deep water fishing and especially for export; hence, locals have not been too hot on the activity. Further, if the government is seeking to involve the Chinese in first-time deep water fishing, it was questioned, the purpose of 40 Chinese fishing vessels conducting the study.
In the meantime, the GHRA has yet again registered its dissatisfaction with the manner in which the fishing licence issue has been developing. The organization sees the Minister’s explanations on the matter as “less than convincing.”
“The idea of contracting a Chinese agency to determine whether there are species in Guyana’s waters that can be fished by Chinese trawlers suggests Minister Ramsammy is being facetious or that he has no regard for public opinion. Such a study would convince no one and appears more like a fig-leaf to cover his intention to continue on the course of licencing Chinese fishermen.”
“A study of the species, shoals and fish-stocks in Guyanese waters would be very valuable, assuming this information is currently unknown. Are there any baseline data on fish stocks? What should the harvesting rates be? These are important questions, but what faith could be placed in having that information provided by institutions which have a vested interest in the outcome? If this information is a priority, the study should be tendered in a professional manner and the contract awarded on the basis of impartial and professional criteria.”
The organization has noted further that given the lack of resources/equipment, the notion that the Chinese fishing activities would be monitored, is an insult to the nation. The Environment Community Health Organization (ECHO) had also expressed concern over the developments, attaching an environmental worry.
Meanwhile, Minister Ramsammy at yesterday’s Parliamentary session indicated that arrangements would be made for the relevant stakeholders to meet on the issue.