Chinese eye Guyana’s fishing zone, to approach Govt

Sep 30, 2014 News

Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy says that it is possible that Chinese fishing operators on a visit to Guyana will make a proposal to operate in the local sector. He said that interested Chinese operators are still in the country.

Agriculture Minister Leslie Ramsammy

While the Minister is unable to say when the Chinese would leave, he has confirmed their interest in the local fishing industry, so much so, that the foreigners hope to make their proposal to the government soon.
Dr. Ramsammy told Kaieteur News that there has been no discourse on the type of equipment, or boats to be used. When asked about the type of vessels and equipment being proposed, he said, “We are not there yet.”
The Minister said, however, that the Chinese team has conveyed interest in fishing and processing. The Minister has noted however, that as part of the discussions that commenced some time last week, he has provided the Chinese with all the laws and regulations that pertain to the industry.
The Minister had told Kaieteur News last week that discussions had commenced with Chinese nationals who are here scouting the local fishing industry. He said, “They want to submit a proposal before they leave.”
This is not the first time that the Chinese are expressing interest in the sector. Stakeholders who say that the country should exercise caution when dealing with the fishing resources, panicked when it was alleged that several licences were being given out to Chinese fishing operators whose vessels and equipment scare local operators, particularly in the area of competition.
Minister Ramsammy said, yesterday, that he has already met with some fishing groups and should be meeting with others.
President of the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) Leslie Romalho, said that he expects to meet with the Minister soon. Last week Friday he received correspondence for a meeting with the Ministry, but given the hour, he could not gather all the representatives at the time.
Romalho said that he is anxiously awaiting the meeting so that the organization could be up-to-date with any developments. He added, “We have a commitment from the Minister that if ever a proposal is submitted by the Chinese it would be discussed with the relevant stakeholders – that is both industrial and artisanal – before any decision is made.”
The last time local Chinese fishing came up, GATOSP immediately dispatched a letter to the Agriculture Ministry seeking clarity on some 40 licences allegedly being issued to the foreigners. The Minister quickly clarified that no licences were slated for the Chinese and declared that it was a “false alarm”. He said the Chinese were merely making enquires about the local industry.
Local fishermen were concerned that they were being asked to reduce boats and catches because of depleting resources, while reports were that Chinese nationals were being added to the industry. Outside of that, local operators fear that they would not be able to compete with the Chinese operators whose boats are sometimes as long as 130 feet, while local operators maneuver with 70-foot long vessels. Operators also spoke of fish processing vessels that have extensive on-board facilities for processing and freezing fish.
The Agriculture Ministry clamped down on the number of fishing trawlers and it was said that licences are no longer being issued. The newspaper was told that to prevent overfishing no more than 100 vessels were being allowed in this regard.
It was denied that Chinese vessels would operate in waters either in the 12-mile Guyana territorial limit or in the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Locals are concerned also about job opportunities if licences are granted to the Chinese. The low Guyanese employment in local Chinese contracted projects has been evident.