THE Fisheries Department in the Ministry of Agriculture recently approved the operations of all seabob trawlers that were docked for the past seven weeks during a closed season.The season re-opened last Monday after being closed for seven weeks (midnight August 16, 2015 to 12:01am October 5, 2015). During this period, all seabob trawlers were docked, with the exception of a few which were used for research purposes.

In addition, companies conducted fleet maintenance and revision training for fishermen, while management staff ventured off on annual vacation leave.

“The Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Department recently approved the closed season for Guyana`s Seabob (shrimp) , following a written request by Mr. Bruce Vieira, President of the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners & Seafood Processors(GATOSP). The closure was ratified by the Minister of Agriculture Mr. Noel Holder, in keeping with protocols previously established between the GATOSP and the ministry,” the Agriculture Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry noted that the closed seasons are specified time periods when no legal fishing is permitted for a particular species . This has been going on for several years in Guyana and its implementation is closely monitored by the Fisheries Department on an annual basis.

Such an intervention is not limited not only to Guyana, but has become a global practice aimed at allowing various species to multiply or replenish, thus ensuring growth and sustainability.
FOREX EARNINGS

The seabob shrimp in Guyana has been well known over the years for generating foreign -exchange earnings and revenue through regional exports and to markets in North America and Europe. The major industrial stakeholders include Pritipaul Singh Investments, Noble House Seafoods, BEV Processors, Guyana Quality Seafoods and the Fisheries Department.

The seabob stock was last assessed in June, 2013, when it was deemed fully exploited, but not over-fished. As a result of this, a proposed Harvest Control Rule (considered as `best practices` in fisheries management) was drafted following deliberations with the consultant, GATOSP, and the Fisheries Department.

The current rule allows for an overall days-at-sea: 87 licences each with an allocated 225 days at sea. This implementation of the rule commenced in 2014 and is monitored and enforced by the key stakeholders, in particular the Fisheries Department through the Seabob Working Group (SWG).

Consistent monitoring of vessel catch (Catch Per Unit Effort) and vessel movements while fishing (via Vessel Monitoring System) are currently being managed by officers within the Fisheries Department. Individual companies also have the ability to monitor their respective fleets, the Agriculture Ministry noted.
MSC CERTIFICATION

Additionally, the ministry underscored that the final measures are currently being put in place for the seabob to enter into assessment for achievement of Marine Stewardship Council Certification (MSC) in the not- too- distant future.

MSC certification basically signifies that harvesting and management of fisheries resources are being done in a sustainable manner, which in turn allows for access into global markets for sale of produce. Measures implemented include, but are not limited to, installation of Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and By-Catch Reduction Devices (BRD`s) on trawler vessels and the drafting of fisheries regulations.

Also drafted is the Seabob Management Plan and an international press release done on the Fisheries Improvement Plan (Guyana Seabob) on the Fishery Improvement Projects website.

There is also a seabob fishery observer programme being conducted through funding from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (Guianas) and supported by the Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and the GATOSP. This programme will initially run for one year.