Fishing – Worthwhile investment, rich potenial

10.JUNE.11

Next Monday, June 13, will mark the climax of the 2011 activities to highlight the importance of fishing and to celebrate the invaluable contribution of our fisherfolk to national development.{{more}} An annual holiday, fittingly called Fisherman’s Day is officially declared for the occasion annually, now shifted to coincide with the religious holiday of Whit Monday. Monday’s activities will be built around the various fishing competitions, leading up to a prize-giving ceremony and the award of the coveted ‘Fisherman of the Year’ prize.

Monday’s celebrations will bring to an end a series of activities over the past month at various venues. The main event will be held, most likely for logistical convenience, at the Calliaqua Fisheries complex, but there have been other successful activities in outlying rural fishing communities such as Barrouallie and Owia. It is a pity that the Owia venue, representing the largest such investment by government outside of the central facilities in Kingstown, is not more conveniently located so as to allow patrons to see the developments there.

The investments in Owia, Kingstown, Bequia, Calliaqua and Barrouallie, indicate a growing realisation of the critical role that the fisheries industry can play, both as an important motor of economic development as well as in helping our country to realise its marine potential in feeding our people. That potential is being rapidly recognised worldwide, and today, commercial fishing and fish farming are essential elements in growth and development. Statistics from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), reveal that in 2008, the global capture of fish brought in 90 million tonnes with a first-sale value of US$93.9 billion, while aquaculture (fish-farming) produced 52.5 million tonnes, but with a higher value amounting to over US $ 98 billion.

In the CARICOM region, surrounded as we are by the Caribbean Sea and bordering on the mighty Atlantic Ocean, fishing provides a vital source of animal protein and minerals. The average consumption of fish in this region is well above the global average with Guyana having one of the highest consumption rates in the world. Statistics show that while Guyana and other CARICOM nations like Grenada and Antigua, rank high in per capita consumption of fish and fish products, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is among those at the other end of the scale, maybe confirming the trend towards imported chicken parts.

Besides its role in nutrition and food security, incidentally linked to the goal of achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the fishing industry is also a major employer, with more than 182,000 persons employed directly and indirectly and some 200,000 metric tonnes harvested annually. However, CARICOM is still a net importer of fish and fish products, with imports accounting for 30 per cent of regional consumption.

Given these facts, the region as a whole, and our country in particular, need to focus greater attention on unlocking the tremendous economic potential of our marine environment. Education and training, aimed at substantially lifting the productive capacity of our fisherfolk is clearly one step necessary. Recognising the enormous potential in our seas and seeing fishing as an important investment opportunity area is another. There are also issues relating to the proper management of marine resources and ecosystems, matters relating to international treaties, maritime boundaries and the like, and in ensuring that our resources are not plundered by extra-regional forces. And, there is the gender perspective – getting more women, especially young women involved in this area of activity. Twelve per cent of the estimated 45 million involved in full-time or part-time fishing are women, but the figure is much lower for SVG and CARICOM. Getting more women involved will also enable us to move on and to embrace ‘fisherfolk’ as opposed to ‘fishermen’.

SEARCHLIGHT congratulates our fisherfolk on the occasion and wishes them a healthy and abundant catch on Monday.