CABINET has agreed to heighten counter piracy activities in order to assure Guyanese fisher folks of the government’s commitment to them plying their trade.

This is according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who was speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Ministry of the Presidency on Friday.

Underscoring that government was concerned with the fishermen’s livelihood, safety and security, Harmon said there would be collaboration between the security forces of Guyana and Suriname until the perpetrators of the massacre are brought to justice before the courts.

He said that the Surinamese government had agreed to assist the families of the deceased by resuming the search for the missing fishermen, and providing moral, psychological and financial support in burial.

The Minister of State said that the day-to-day operations by the Surinamese police will be shared with Guyana’s security officials, on what had been done subsequent to the pirate attack.

Two weeks after a deadly pirate rampage on Suriname waters that left 12 Guyanese fishermen missing and five dead, authorities in both countries believe that they have a clearer idea of what transpired.

Fifteen persons remain in police custody in Suriname, among them are ‘Crack Head’ and ‘Dick’ and a close family member of Somnath Manohar, who was killed at the end of March following the death of a fisherman.

The drive-by shooting of Manohar was said to be an ongoing battle for control of the fishing grounds by mainly Guyanese fishermen who operate in Suriname.
Following the death of Manohar, it was believed that a revenge plan was hatched by the fishermen who worked with him, which resulted in the massacre and some fishermen missing.

The missing fishermen were said to be living in both Guyana and Suriname.
On Monday, the Guyana team met with Suriname’s ministers of justice, defense and agriculture. Also, the team communicated with Police Commissioner Anthony Chin and was briefed.

It was made clear that the current situation of fishing will see more regulated with checkpoints established and more demands for identification of fishermen.