– Chief of Staff Best
THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) intends to increase its presence in Guyana’s Exclusion Economic Zone (EEZ) to deter illegal fishing and maintain the integrity of the country’s maritime borders. The indication was given by Army Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, on Monday, at a media conference hosted in Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the GDF.
He acknowledged that, while the Military has been maintaining aerial surveillance of the EEZ, it was not very active in the zone itself.
Best said aerial reconnaissance had indicated some level of activity by foreign trawlers but follow-up action was lacking because the its Maritime Flagship, GDFS Essequibo had been in dry dock.
“What we need, for effective action, are two resources working together, aircraft  and patrol boats, the aeroplanes to spot the foreign trawlers and alert and direct the Navy to where the suspected illegal activity is taking place,” he admitted.
Best said, to date, captains of  intercepted trawlers have been claiming that they were not fishing but en route to Suriname.
“What happens is if they see you, from a distance, they can pull up their nets to back their claims that they are not fishing. Usually, this works if they do not have a catch,”
he said.
Best pointed out, though, that the GDFS Essequibo was recently rehabilitated and is now ready to resume patrols to ensure the integrity of the EEZ.
“The EEZ is a big area but we now intend to be there more often, on patrols to ensure  its integrity and interdict illegal fishing within, if necessary,” he said.