Gov’t pursuing further mechanisms to tackle piracy
-focus on strengthening response

Georgetown. GINA, September 24, 2007.

Government’s commitment to alleviate incidents of piracy, which are affecting the marine fishing industry, is heightening with focus on improving the response capabilities of the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Coastguard.
            This is part of the administration’s approach to tackle piracy through which various interventions have already been made, including drafting of tougher legislation to make piracy a non-bailable offence and procurement of boats and engines to enhance patrols in Berbice and Essequibo. Establishment of a special fund to assist piracy victims and a radio communication network are other activities being pursued by the administration to combat piracy.  
            Earlier this month, fishermen of various areas met President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee to discuss the issue of piracy. The need for better communication through radio linkages and enhanced response from the Coastguard were among the issues highlighted at the meeting. It was agreed that measures would be implemented in this regard.
            Today, Chief of Staff (designate) of the GDF Gary Best, Colonel Bruce Lovell and several officers of the Coastguard made a presentation on the Coastguard’s anti-piracy plan to Minister Persaud at the Ministry of Agriculture. Representatives of the Fisheries Department, the Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC) and various fishermen co-operatives societies were also present.

            Minister Persaud noted that the plan signals a renewed focus on strengthening the Coastguard’s response. The plan seeks to make the Coastguard better able to act as a deterrent, to provide a rapid response capability to any act of piracy and is expected to ensure greater collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders.
            Commodore Best highlighted the level of collaboration that exists between the various stakeholders, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and the Coastguard and which is important to addressing piracy. He assured of the Coastguard’s continued commitment to fight the crime through the multi-stakeholder approach.
Piracy has always engaged Government’s attention and various mechanism have been explored to address this criminal activity. During a meeting with Corentyne fisherman earlier this month, several proposals were put forward by Minister Persaud to deter pirates from carrying out their activities.  

Ensuring the registration and licensing of all vessels and engines, development of a colour code for each co-operative society, stamping of all vessels and engines unique to each co-op and confirmation of catches sold at ports are some of the ideas that have been proposed to deal with piracy.
The possibility of random patrols and inspection of vessels at sea and ports by the law-enforcement officials are other actions that are being explored. The stamping of vessels and engines could help the law-enforcement authorities to trace stolen items to areas where they are sold, while confirmation of catches could clamp down on the sale of catch stolen by pirates.

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