Continued efforts to tackle piracy
- revolving fund for fishermen launched
Georgetown, GINA, March 31, 2008.
Interventions are continuing by the administration to ensure sustainable development of the fisheries sector by addressing some of its main challenges. An anti-piracy revolving fund for fishermen was launched today.
The fund, launched by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, seeks to provide some form of assistance to piracy victims that will enable them to continue their activities to earn a livelihood. Representatives from the Coastguard and fishermen co-op societies, other stakeholders and fisherfolks were present at the launch.
The fund, established with an initial $5M by Government is open to all interested boat owners, whether or not they are members of fishermen co-operative societies or associations, who could become victims of piracy. It is being administered by a sub-committee of the Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Agriculture and a designated officer of the Fisheries Department.
Minister Persaud said the initiative is part of efforts to provide self-insurance since it is recognised that agricultural and fishing activities are viewed as ‘high-risk’ by the insurance companies. The fund is intended to serve as a novel initiative that could be later explored by the other crops or rice farmers if proven successful. 
Minister Persaud addresses launch of anti-piracy fund.
He noted that while piracy is an age-old problem in the Caribbean and other countries, Guyana is faced with different kinds of pirates, whom he referred to as ‘high-seas bandits.’
He added, “whilst efforts have been undertaken in the past to deal with the scourge of piracy that affects primarily our artisanal fisherfolks, we need to constantly look at new approaches, strategies and action in bringing the state of piracy under much control.”
Administrator of the Fund, Rennita Bentick explained that an examination and valuation will be done of the fishing outfit (boat, seine and engine) from which 0.25 percent of the total value will be calculated. This will represent the annual cost of registering the outfit and the fee can be paid on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or annual basis.
Other interventions by Government to deal with piracy include the purchase of two boats and engines that were handed over to co-ops of the Upper Corentyne and Essequibo and implementation of an Anti-Piracy Plan by the Coastguard.
One of the plan’s main features is establishment of a comprehensive communication system that involves installation of radios at fish port complexes at Number 66 Village and Rosignol, initially.
Fishermen will be required to join the system by acquiring their own hand-held radios which are estimated to cost $60, 000 each. Since it is recognised that some persons may not be financially able to procure a radio, Government facilitated an arrangement whereby the importer will deliver bulk supply of the devices to be made available through the co-op societies.
The communication system also includes a wristwatch that serves as a Global Positioning System (GPS) that will enable fishermen to provide details on their location when making an emergency report.
Another aspect of the plan is enhanced patrol by the Coast Guard through which four additional vessels will be deployed to the Berbice area, two of which will be permanently based at sea.
Commander John Flores of the Coastguard said the communication system and increased patrols are anticipated to be in full operation within the next two to three weeks. 
Minister Persaud inspects communication equipment
In addition, there has been collaboration with fishermen, Coastguard and the Police to determine other ways of tackling piracy while the Ministries of Home Affairs and Agriculture have commenced the process to make hijacking a non-bailable offence with drafting of the Anti-Piracy Bill to be tabled in the National Assembly.
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