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Chinese company not granted licence for six fishing vessels – Minister
(Kaieteur News) – Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, has confirmed that the Fisheries Department has not approved licences for Chinese-owned Grandeast Seafood Inc. to operate six fishing vessels in Guyana.
When contacted on Monday, the minister gave brief responses. He noted that the licences was not approved and also dismissed suggestions that the ministry was in talks with the company to consider granting the licences.
Kaieteur News reported on Sunday that nearly eight years after establishing its seafood processing operations in Guyana, Grandeast made an application seeking approval to operate its own fishing vessels, citing an inconsistent supply of raw materials as a key constraint to its operations.
One of Grandeast Seafood Inc. fishing vessels
In a letter dated February 19, addressed to the Chief Fisheries Officer of the Fisheries Department within the Ministry of Agriculture, Grandeast requested approval for the vessels as part of efforts to stabilise its seafood production.
Grandeast, which has been operating in Guyana since July 3, 2018, is a subsidiary of Hong Dong Fisheries Co., Ltd., a China-based company with experience in overseas fishing operations. The company said since operating in Guyana it has invested approximately US$20 million in establishing a modern processing facility and supporting infrastructure.
According to the letter, the plant has an annual production capacity of 5,000–6,000 metric tonnes of fish and 10,000–12,000 metric tonnes of shrimp for both local and export markets. However, since its establishment, production has only reached about 2,500 metric tonnes of fish and 700 metric tonnes of shrimp.
Grandeast exports has primarily been directed to China and Jamaica, with 2,450 metric tonnes of fish valued at US$4 million and 670 metric tonnes of shrimp valued at US$6 million. The company outlined that it holds a wide range of approvals and certifications, including licences and permits related to fisheries operations, food safety, environmental compliance, and taxation, and stressed that it operates in accordance with both national and international regulations.
Despite this, Grandeast highlighted supply shortages as a major challenge. “One of the main challenges currently faced by the company however, is the inconsistent supply of raw materials, which has resulted in under-utilization of the licensed processing facility. Despite having the capacity to process significantly higher volumes, production is constrained by limited and irregular access to fish and shrimp, affecting operational efficiency, employment continuity, and the company’s ability to meet export demand,” the company stated. To address this issue, the firm proposes to deploy six company-owned fishing vessels to ensure a more reliable supply of fish and shrimp, improve utilisation of its existing investment, and maintain output levels. Grandeast said the vessels would operate in compliance with Guyana’s fisheries laws and in areas that do not conflict with local fishermen. It added that the initiative could create jobs and provide training opportunities for local crews, contributing to skills development within the sector.
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