President intervenes to assist piracy victims
-  Special fund to be created, enhance communications system mooted 

Georgetown, GINA, September 12, 2007

Fishermen’s pleas to government for assistance to fight against piracy has been heard and the Head of State after meeting with a number of fishermen today at State House has indicated that a special fund to assist those affected and tougher laws will be enacted to curb piracy.
            Meeting the Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee today at State House were fishermen from the Rosignol, Parika and Number 66 Fishport complexes. 
            “We met with the fishermen especially those affected by piracy. We agreed on a number of measures that would hopefully improve the situation that deal with better communication through radio linkages, the Coastguard playing a more involved role and the response time of the Coastguard to build greater capacity and the Coastguard to respond,” the President commented following the meeting.

            He explained that the creation of a special fund was also discussed to offer assistance to those affected by the criminal activities perpetrated on fishermen.
            “We spoke about assisting through the creation of a small fund to which there would be contributions from the fishermen themselves but also a small contribution from the government to assist those who have lost their livelihoods,” President Jagdeo expanded.
The Head of State said talks were also held on toughening up the laws to make piracy a serious offence.
“We spoke about toughening up the law a non-bailable offence because we have had some cases where people were released on bail and they go straight back into hijacking. In some countries they take it seriously because people can lose their lives at sea. So we are toughening up on that. We are going to pay much attention not just to people who do the hijacking but people who buy stolen property.  They would also face severe penalties,” the President said.

            Today’s meeting is a follow-up on a promise made by the Agriculture Minister to have the fishermen meet the Head of State to put forward their concerns and suggestions to aid in the containment of piracy.
            The Minister on August 5 held a meeting at the Upper Corentyne Fishermen Co-op Society complex, Number 66 Village, to discuss several propositions that could be implemented by fishermen and which would make it difficult for piracy to take place. Over the past months, there have been a series of meetings between Minister Persaud and fishermen to examine a number of strategies to aid in the alleviation of piracy.
            This is part of Government’s efforts to reduce incidents of piracy which are affecting fishermen, resulting in severe losses. This criminal activity has been in existence for decades and has affected the livelihoods of many persons who depend on marine fishing.

more bulletins