AS the country’s tourism continues to bloom, both local and foreign tourists, adventurers and nature lovers are becoming more appreciative of what Guyana has to offer. This was very evident over the weekend as hundreds of local, regional and international tourists converged on Rockstone, Region 10, for its annual fish festival.
The festival is a calendar event of the Guyana Tourism Authority and continues to grow annually, creating more enthusiasm with regard to sport fishing.
Apart from the traditional fishing competition, for biggest or most caught fish, persons were also engaged in several other fun activities, including fish frying and filleting, watermelon eating and swimming.
GTA’s Director, Indranauth Haralsingh and other senior officials of Tourism Ministry were also fully involved in the many activities at the fish festival.
Haralsingh told the gathering that the Ministry of Tourism continues to endorse and support the Rockstone community in hosting the annual event.
“This is largest crowd since the festival…so many people have left their homes to join in the events at Rockstone, it is great,” Haralsingh said.
He also noted that the activity has helped to promote both community and domestic tourism, thus creating more income for the Region 10 community.
Sport fishing, Haralsingh said, has vast potential for growth in Guyana, and the ministry will be working with stakeholders to ensure its realisation.
He also used the opportunity to inform the gathering that Guyana will be hosting the 2012 Sustainable Tourism conference in April, “when the attention of the international media will be on Guyana…this is a massive event that will help define and position Guyana as a sustainable tourism destination”.
Winners of the various competitions were presented with trophies and monetary awards.
Among of some of fishes that were caught, were ariwana, himara and lukanani.
The owner of the famous Oistins in Barbados was also present at the festival. Oistins is the site of the annual Barbados Fish Festival which honours those who contribute to the local fishing industry.
Since 2006, the Rockstone Fish Festival has been an annual event which attracts hundreds of visitors.