The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs says it was in receipt of reports that on January 22, nine Guyanese fishermen were taken into custody by Suriname’s military but were later released.

The nine men, identified as Armaan Edwards, Genovese Davair, Alistair Peneux, George Edwards, Ackley Felix, Bob Peneux, Rodrick Herman, Edward Herman and Clifton Edwards, are residents of the Upper Corentyne riverine community of Orealla/Siparuta in Region Six.

According to the Ministry, they were engaged in subsistence fishing in the Corentyne River at the time of their arrest.

“They were using hooks and lines and were in small boats and canoes,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The men were reportedly taken some 30 miles upriver to Apoera in Suriname, where that Dutch-speaking country’s military processed and later released them.  The Ministry noted that some of the men were forced to paddle for hours to get back home.

The matter was immediately reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and is engaging that Ministry’s attention. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has also revealed that it has engaged the Toshao of Orealla/Siparuta, David Henry, and some of the affected fishermen.

“In the process, Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, was properly briefed on the issue. Minister Allicock continues to engage the toshao, and remains in close contact with Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge,” the statement said.

And while no laws of the sea were broken by the fishermen, the Ministry sought to explain that subsistence fishing is part of Indigenous Peoples’ culture, and has been practised for centuries.

“In the Amerindian village of Orealla/Siparuta, subsistence fishing forms a part of the village life and economy.  The Corentyne River is the village’s sole source of fresh fish,” the Ministry said.