Written by Rajendra Prabhulall
FISHERMEN on the Essequibo Coast have informed Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, that the difficulty in getting ice when they are going to sea is the biggest problem facing them.According to the fishermen, the shortage of ice is a serious problem and they called for the Lima Fish Port Complex to be handed back to them so that ice can be made readily available.

One fisherman said that fisherfolk are not getting facilities or services from the Lima Fish Port Complex. He complained to Minister Baksh that fishing boats cannot get ice to go to sea from the complex.

Baksh in responding said that the complex was leased to private businessmen because it was run down by members of the Lima Fishermen Coop Society. He said the complex was leased with an agreement in place to provide fishermen with ice and other essential services for the fishing industry.

He then called on the chief fisheries officer to re-examine the agreement to see where the businessmen had breached the contract. However, the minister was informed by the fisheries officer that the lease for the complex was renewed about two years ago for another five years.

Minister Baksh then agreed with Region 2 Chairman Mr. Parmanand Persaud for a big meeting to be held in the region with all fisherfolk and ice producers to address the burning issues facing the fishing industry on the Essequibo Coast.

Fishermen also brought to the minister’s attention that the Alfro Alphonso Ice Complex at Charity is selling fishermen ice at $20.00 per pound which they cannot afford to purchase to go to sea. They said the Charity Fish Port Complex has ice in large quantities, but in order to get ice, fishermen have to do all their business at the complex. Ice is sold to fishermen at $6.00 per pound but it was also reported that another producer of ice at Lima sells one bucket of ice for $300 and this is inadequate for fishermen to take to sea.

At the end of the meeting, Baksh interacted with the fisherfolk and encouraged them to continue their hard work on the high seas to catch fish to feed the nation. He said the government is now exporting more fish to many countries because there are markets available.
Former Vice Chairman of Region 2, Mr. Heeralall Mohan, also attended the meeting.