REMARKS BY THE HON. ROBERT PERSAUD MBA, M.P

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AT THE

INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE (FAC)

Ministry of Agriculture Board Room

2 nd March 2007

 

I bid you a warm welcome to this the inaugural meeting of the Fisheries Advisory Committee and thank you for accepting our nomination as a member. This Committee is very important not only because it represents a sector that is very critical in the economy of Guyana but also as a signal that this Ministry is committed to inclusiveness in its quest to further strengthen the sub-sectors in agriculture.

 

We have always reiterated the need for all stakeholders in all the industries to be involved in the decision-making and on the implementation of strategies agreed by all for optimizing production. The Fisheries Advisory Committee is one such entity, where contributions from both the Public Sector and Private Sector will be invaluable for the sustainable development of the Fisheries Sector.

 

As we all know, the fisheries sector plays a very important part in the lives of Guyanese and in the economy of this country.

 

Fish is the major source of animal protein in Guyana. It is estimated that per capita annual consumption of fish rose from 9 to 27 kg between 1980 and 1988, and was about 45 kg in 2003. The fishing industry employs some 6 500 people in harvesting and 6 000 in processing and marketing, so more that 12 000 livelihoods depend directly on fishery, and many more benefit indirectly from fishing-related occupations, such as boat building, gear supply and repairs.

 

In addition, significant numbers work in processing, distributing and selling fish and fish products in domestic markets. A high proportion of workers in processing, distribution and retail are women, and they are active in harvesting as well.

 

Thus the need for a Fisheries Advisory Committee becomes very significant for the continued sustainable development of this industry. Some of the challenges that the FAC would face include the need for optimizing the utilization of fisheries resources of the fisheries waters of Guyana and at the same time do so in a sustainable manner. As such, r esource management and sustainable exploitation are major concerns that would need to be addressed. The need to further expand on Aquaculture is another of the challenges that the FAC would face in the face of depleting marine resources. Some of the challenges faced in this sector are lack of investment capital, technical skills, appropriated technology, equipment, inputs and research and training. Also, the problem faced by our artesanal fisher folks, particularly hijacking must be examined as we have representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Guyana Police Force and the Coast Guards.

 

The new Fisheries Act (Fisheries Legislation 2002) was passed in Parliament in December 2002 and signed into effect by then Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock on July 25, 2003. This Act put in place the legal framework for effective fisheries management and development. This new revised act includes a number of new provisions, such as: authorizing the Minister to promote the development and management of fisheries to ensure the optimum utilization of fisheries resources; mandating the Chief Fisheries Officer to prepare and keep under review a plan for the management and development of fisheries, including consultations with fishermen and stakeholders. It also provides for the creation of a Fisheries Advisory Committee, the reason we are all here.

 

Procedures for licensing fish processing establishments; dispute settlement in fisheries and for foreign and local licensing are also included in this new Fisheries Act. In addition to the Act, Fisheries Quality Control regulations were put in place to improve on the mechanisms for quality assurance and safety in the fisheries sector.

 

A Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) which you have received will be launched soon which is intended to promote the conservation and sustainable development of the fisheries resources of Guyana. It will provide information on fisheries policy, guiding principles, goals and the legal and institutional framework for fisheries management and development, including aquaculture.

 

The FAC consistent with its legal mandate must guide and oversee:

1. Fisheries management and development, which refers to:
1. Policy and Planning aspects of Fisheries;
2. Institutional and corporate development of the Fisheries body;
3. Facilitating inter-agency coordination for effective fisheries management;
4. Development of a Fisheries Information System (FIS) for informed decision making in the Fisheries Sector; and
5. Oversight of the current administrative process and the subsequent establishment of a semi-autonomous Fisheries Commission

 

1. Fisheries agreements, joint ventures and development projects in the fisheries sector

 

 

I would like to thank all of you for coming and for being part of this very important committee and I’m sure that you will be committed to ensure that this Committee carries out its role very successfully and would be the driving force in making our fisheries industry a thriving and sustainable one.

 

Thank you.

Attached is a list of the FAC members

 

List of members of the Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC)

 

1	Mr. Andrew Bishop – Chairman	CEO, Guyana Lands and Survey Commission
2	Dr. Dindyal Permaul – Vice Chairman	Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture
3	Mr. Leslie Romalho	Chairman , Guyana Association of Trawlers Owners and Seafood Processors
4	Mr. Pravinchandra Deodat	Chairman, Upper Corentyne Fishermen’s Co-op Society Ltd.
5	Mr. Mohamed Khan	Greater Georgetown Fishermen’s Co-op Society Ltd.
6	Mr. Rodney Davis	Executive Director, North Rupununi District Development Board
7	Commander Godfrey L. George	Guyana Coast Guard
8	Ms. Stacey Phillips	Environmental Officer, EPA
9	Ms. Dawn Maison	Principal Fisheries Officer (ag), Ministry of Agriculture
10	Mr. Cecil Seepersaud	Head, Agricultural Planning Cycle Unit, Ministry of Agriculture
11	Mr. Beni Sankar	Chairman, National Aquaculture Association of Guyana
12	Mr. Nareshwar Harinan	State counselor, Ministry of Legal Affairs & Attorney General Chambers
13	Mr. Keith George	Director, Frontiers Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
14	Mr. Theodosius Velloza	Dean, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, UG
15	Senior Superintendent Louis Crawford	Guyana Police Force, Ministry of Home Affairs
16	Mr. Nigel Dharamlall	Project Coordinator, Guyana Rice Project Management Unit
17	Dr. Patrick Chesney	Manager, Policy & Donor Relations, Conservation International Guyana
18	Mr. Cyril Belgrave
19	Mr. Paul Geer	Director, Financial Intelligence Unit
20	Mr. Avinash Mohamed	Marine Biologist