The current state of the Fisheries Co-op Societies, based on reports, is not commendable and their management is not acting in the best interest of their membership.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud made this point yesterday at a Fisherman’s Fun Day convened at the Carifesta Sports Complex on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

Addressing scores of fishermen from across the country, Persaud said much work has to be done at the level of the Fisheries Department and co-ops to address petty issues of personality conflict, selfishness and envy.

These issues, including dishonesty, also plague most of the other co-ops here.

The minister explained that the role of his ministry is to provide support and guidance to these bodies in helping them perform at a desired level in satisfying the needs of their membership and the sector.

He stressed that co-ops are affected by a degree of pettiness, even though their operation is reflective of another outlook of a business entity, and by law, benefits more than regular businesses.

Persaud emphasised though the small-mindedness is not of crisis proportion, it still impedes the sound management and functioning of these operations and should be removed forthwith.

If this is not done, he feared, persons who manage these entities will lose focus of their roles.

The minister pledged his ministry will work with these bodies to remove their difficulties and on that score, urged negligent officers to assume their rightful roles.

He said apart from the negatives, there are some positives; and he singled out the role of co-ops in tackling piracy in collaboration with his ministry as an example.

The poor management of co-ops is not the only set-back of the fisheries sector, as it is also up against the challenges of climate change and the global financial and economic crises.

Globally, Persaud pointed out, there are reports of over-fishing accompanied by an increase in fishing capacity.

In 2008, he noted, the global fishing sector enjoyed a fruitful year, earning in excess of US$1B from fish products; but the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has predicted the economic meltdown would cause this figure to contract by 3 per cent this year.

He disclosed that aquaculture accounted for 45 per cent of the total global output last year, and suggested, that industry can play a vital role in addressing the global depleting stock.

Artisanal fishermen, he stressed, are already feeling the squeeze of price contraction resulting from a decline in the region’s tourism industry.

Persaud said while the global economic downturn would be temporary, the recovery will take a longer time, and bearing this in mind, the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) has started to engage stakeholders in the identification and development of new markets.

On this point, the minister stressed, the fisheries co-op societies can play an important role in being more supportive to their membership in overcoming some of these challenges.

He underlined the approach by co-op members of sitting down and complaining will not solve their problems, and encouraged their leaders to be proactive and alert in handling their former concerns.

Persaud warned his ministry will intervene in co-ops which are not managed effectively.

He said government has invested heavily in the industry to improve the livelihood of fisherfolks and will continue to work in their interest and that of the industry.

The minister underscored, too, the need for changes in the industry, but acknowledged that there have been positive movements in this direction, notable in the areas of diversification, expansion of operations, value added initiatives, and marketing and certification of export to overseas markets.

Chief Fisheries Officer Mr. Vivek Joshi, who was also at the fun day, said extensive focus will be placed on data collection, aquaculture and addressing the needs of stakeholders.

Joshi said he is not asking marine fishermen to cease operations, but to consider aquaculture as a collective approach in addressing the dwindling marine stock.

He stressed the importance of monitoring and data collection, and reported that the Fisheries Department is soliciting help from regional and international bodies on this matter.

During his presentation, Joshi also informed the fisherfolks of the role of his department, other related statutory bodies and the fisheries management plan.

Chief Co-op Officer Mr. Abdul Jabbar spoke on the management of co-ops; and like Persaud, lamented the lack of cooperation among leaders of these entities he represents.

He stressed, the “I” and “me” mentality are not for co-ops, and these entities must be guided by a business plan, a documentation management seldom presents to the membership.