Blows for fishermen as Corentyne River restrictions bite deep

It has been over a month since Guyana has been on a semi-lockdown amid the Coronavirus pandemic. One of the industry badly hit with thousands affected is the fishing one. Hundreds of fishermen have been unable to venture out to sea to fish in the Upper Corentyne areas as the water fall in Suriname area. Kaieteur News was told that Suriname authorities, as part of their COVID-19 measures, are not allowing fisher folk in the waters they patrol. According to the Chairman of the Number 66 Fishing Coop, Pameshwar Jainarine, “a lot of the fishermen are home and only a small fraction of the boats are going out to work and the very few that are going out at taking a chance to go out.” He added that there are over 150 fishing boats. The restrictions have been taking a devastating toll. The Chairman disclosed that they have since contacted the Chief Fisheries Officer highlighting the issues they have encountered. He pointed out that there has been no short or long-term assistance announced for fisherfolk since the crisis. In addition to workers not being able to fish, the few that have taken their chances to venture out have not been finding lucrative markets to sell their catch. In fact, it appears that vendors are not even finding the money to buy the fish. In the past, the fishing industry was overwhelmed with piracy attacks but this is an entirely new scenario that may batter the industry with no indications of how it will recover. He noted that he has three fishing vessels but only one is working presently because there aren’t workers for the other two. As if the restrictions are not enough, Jainarine disclosed that the exportation of fish has dropped drastically as well with less exporters buying. Normally, there are several exporters buying fish to take to the United States and Jamaica. It has dwindled down to one exporter from Georgetown buying. According to the official, the Coop has only been able to assist with soft loans- provide fuel for the boats at the cost of the Coop. Vessels are sent out with fishermen and whatever is sold they are given the opportunity to repay in parts for the fuel. Jainarine added that the only positive thus far has been the drop in price for fuel. Jainarine believes that the fishing industry isn’t prepared for such a crisis with burning questions of what next. They are appealing for assistance.

(Kaieteur News)