Training programme for marine fishers
- to address captain licence issue

Georgetown, GINA, November 30, 2007.

A training programme will be conducted through the Maritime Administration (MARAD) with support from the Ministry of Agriculture for fishermen and potential fishers, as part of efforts to ensure that the licensing process for captains is simplified.
            This was highlighted today by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud following his meeting with more than 50 fishermen and officials of MARAD and the Police to address the enforcement of the captain’s license. There have been reports of cases where fishermen, who do not possess the license, were apprehended.
            During the meeting at the Ministry of Agriculture Boardroom, it was agreed that MARAD will conduct the training programme to prepare fishermen for an oral test to acquire the license. The training session is expected to be done early January while the test will take place later in the month.
            This is to address the literacy issue that exists in the marine fishing sector and also to enhance safety. In the interim, enforcement of the license is being placed on hold until the training and test is undertaken to allow stakeholders adequate time for compliance.
            Under the Fisheries Act of 2002, all fishing vessels operating in the marine industry are required to be registered.
            Additionally, established shrimp and finfish processing plants are issued annual processing plant and export licenses, after meeting the inspection requirements while new plants are required to go through a probationary period during which licenses are issued per shipment.
The Fisheries Department within the Agriculture Ministry liaises closely with the Coastguard and Marine police on fisheries enforcement issues. It also monitors compliance with the Turtle Excluder Device (TED) requirements and conducts inspections.
This is all part of efforts to ensure regularized fisheries operations and guide sustainable development of the sector through which various initiatives have been implemented. These include establishment of a Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC), launched earlier this year and completion of a Fisheries Management Plan (FMP).
            The fishing industry is an important component of Guyana’s economy. It contributes approximately three percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employs close to 13,000 people and serves as a main source of animal protein. The industry embraces both large and small scale activities and is therefore, an important contributor to social stability and economic diversification.
Estimated per capita annual consumption of fish rose from nine to 27 kilogrammes between 1980- 1988, 45 kg in 1991 and reached 58.7 in 1999. Exports of marine products from Guyana have increased from 11, 627 tonnes in 1998 to 21, 901 tonnes in 2003.  

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