– Ramsammy
GUYANA continues to advance along the technology path of the 21st Century, as it moves to implement a new Global Positioning System (GPS) mechanism to monitor licensed vessels that are at sea and may encounter difficulties. This is all through the collaboration among the Agriculture and Transport and Hydraulics Ministries and stakeholder companies to protect fisherfolk and curb the increasing number of piracy attacks on them.
Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, who made the announcement, said steps are already being taken in this regard and noted that, by this month end, a model of that GPS should be available.
In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, earlier this week, he said: “We are still putting together a model of the GPS that we will be using. We are looking at something affordable, yet effective, to provide the security. By April month end, we should have come up with what we are looking at, to heighten the security against pirates.”
This effort to see such an implementation came with the recent increase in piracy attacks at sea on local fisherfolk.
This initiative was first talked about and implemented mentally at the Fisherfolk Convention, which was held earlier this year, where the minister promised that Guyana will be heightening its efforts to protect fisherfolk from the wrath of pirates.
“One of the strategies that are being looked at closely is a Global Positioning System (GPS) which will allow fisherfolk to be under watch by the local authorities even after they have left the borders,” Minster Ramsammy said.
He continued: “It will be a system whereby they can press a button and we will automatically receive a signal that they have either sighted a suspicious boat or if they encounter any kinds of problems. With this system, we will know the name of the ship that is leaving and the names of the crew members and other such information that is needed to be on the alert and up-to-date.”
The new process will ensure that the authorities are up-to-date with what is going on in the industry and with the fisherfolk, so that the necessary assistance can be rendered at any point whenever it is needed, Ramsammy assured.
Advancing
According to him, due to the fact that the world is advancing in technology, Guyana must be able to take a more enhanced approach in dealing with these issues to ensure the country is not lagging behind.
“Who would have thought, growing up in Guyana after Independence that, in discussing fishing, we would have reached the stage of talking about the use of Internet and GPS, remote sensing and other technological advances? But this is precisely where we are today,” he observed.
“Robbery at sea, especially among the artisanal vessels, has been occurring over the years and, though we have placed measures to mitigate this activity, it continues to happen. We have brought together all the relevant stakeholders, who, through their presentations, you will be able to understand their role and in discussion, you will be able to provide recommendation so that we can all put in place systems and other necessary actions that will provide a better environment for you to ply your trade which we all recognise as being very demanding, dangerous and at times, very unpleasant,” Ramsammy stated.
He alluded to the fact that the ships will have to be licensed in order to be protected by this new security measure and said, if ships are not registered and licensed, this would lead to inconsistency.
Another issue of concern is unlicensed ships and the minister pointed out that licensing and ensuring fishing is done within the regulated environment is critical for the growth of the industry.
“However, of great concern is that only approximately one-third had fishing licences last year. Whilst we realise, sometimes, the Fisheries Department does not have in place offices throughout the regions to receive monies, steps have been taken for the officers to visit each region, at least once per quarter, so as to facilitate the maximum boats having licences,” Ramsammy said.
Knowing
He emphasised that the success and safety of fishing and the various stakeholders depend on the authorities knowing how many persons are engaged directly and indirectly in the industry and where fishing is done.
“We need this data, so that, in collaboration with the Coast Guard, MARAD and other stakeholders, we can be able to serve you better, offer more security at sea and you will be able to receive the benefits that a licensed boat is expected to receive.” Ramsammy advised.
Additionally, he insisted that there is a need for more cooperation among fisherfolk and the fisheries staff at all times, so that the correct information will be recorded from both ends, if there should be sustainability of resources in this regard.
“We would also like to see more cooperation with our fisheries staff when they go out to collect data at your landing sites. The information received helps in understanding the magnitude of the industry. We can be able to have an idea of how your catches are over the years and even to take measures that will ensure the sustainability of the resources out there,” Ramsammy said.
He recalled that, over the years, even while there has been an increase in robberies at sea, advanced measures were implemented to lessen the number of criminal activities and it has been a continuous effort.
The minister reiterated that fisherfolk are important assets to Guyana and added that the fishing industry will not be orphaned but treated with as much importance as the other areas that fall under the Agriculture Ministry.