MINISTER of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud and Deputy Director of Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ms. Tameka Sukdeo Singh met, Thursday, with a visiting delegation, from Costa Del Mar, Detona Beach, Florida, in the United States (U.S.), to discuss support in the development of Guyana’s inland fisheries policy in the area of sport fishing and conservation. At the meeting were representatives of Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) and Ocean Research (OCEARCH) and International Game Fish Association (IGFA) from Costa Del Mar.
The objective of the discussions was to regularize the budding fish sport industry in this country and the Ministry of Agriculture is collaborating on a project with GTIS, which will be providing professional advice, from its extensive experience, to ensure that the available resources are properly utilised and managed.
During the exchange, Minister Persaud emphasised that awareness must be raised in order for persons to engage in the sport in a sustainable manner and said that regulation is vital.
He said Guyana has a track record for sustainable development and utilisation of its  natural resources and added, “This is something that we do not take lightly.”
Persaud noted that there has been some unregulated exploitation of the inland fishing resources and cited instances of over fishing and disappearance of certain species in some areas, which place social pressures on surrounding communities.
He remarked that there is no coherent inland fishery policy or regulations in the country and said his ministry has had dialogue with the (United Nations) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on a proposal to appoint a long term specialist to help develop one and the relevant rights.

Draft document
Persaud said the experts are willing to work on refining the draft document that was developed by the FAO and the Ministry to implement measures suitable for preserving the resources and meet the aims of the country.
In that regard, he said, to bring some semblance of order to sport fishing, the ministry has been using other subsidiary legislation that fall outside the Fisheries Act, including from the Environmental Protection Act.
“The project is not stopping any community from accessing the fishing resources, but ensuring that they are exploited in a sustainable manner. This is similar to that of the Arapaima Management Plan in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo, except in a more extended manner,” he stated.
He also made reference to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and other sectors, including tourism and eco-tourism, in which much emphasis is being placed on the sustainable utilisation of resources.
Singh extended a warm welcome to the visitors and said the Agriculture Ministry and GTA are very excited about the opportunity to work with partners to develop sport fishing locally.
“Guyana’s tourism industry is now developing and part of our product is more of a specialized, sustainable type, which looks at protecting the environment and developing it, simultaneously,” she said.
Singh agreed that sport fishing, which has its genesis in sustainable development, will benefit the tourism industry.
She said the Tourism Ministry and GTA are looking forward to collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture on the initiative to develop sport fishing here.
Singh told the visiting group that Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad is happy that they are here, extends his welcome, and looks forward to working with them in a win-win situation for all.

Advisory role
IGFA Conservation Director, Mr. Jason Schratwieser explained, “We are here, today, in an advisory role, to see if there is an interest in developing recreational fishing in Guyana. We would like to offer any assistance we can, with the experience we have garnered in playing this role in a number of different countries.”
He said IGFA is a non-profit organisation, which has been in existence since 1939 and the core of its operations is the protection and conservation of game fish and their habitats, through sustainable practices and education.
“We have members in over 100 different countries and we try to work, internationally, with sustainable fisheries and we, at OSEARCH, believe in the socio-economic benefits of sport fishing and look forward to working with everyone,” Schratwieser offered.