Venezuelan companies will now be able to legally fish in Suriname’s territorial fishing grounds following the signing of a new agreement between the two countries.
At the signing of the agreement by Suriname’s ambassador in Caracas, Glenn Alvares, and the Venezuelan under-secretary of Foreign Affairs, Rodolfo Sanz, it was disclosed that the Suriname government will issue 100 fishing licences to Venezuelan nationals to operate in Suriname, according to Caribbean Net News reporting from Paramaribo.
Under the agreement, Net News stated, all of the catch should be delivered to a designated harbour in Paramaribo according to internationally accepted prices. And the deal also provides for strengthening technical cooperation between Caracas and Paramaribo in the field of maritime operations.
Meanwhile, the two countries are still negotiating a deal to ensure a guaranteed supply of fuel to Surinamese fishing companies on the basis of favourable financing arrangements.
The Surinamese fishing industry has come under enormous pressure due to over-fishing, resulting in declining catches, and increasing fuel prices on the international market have increased operational costs substantially. The industry, Net News added, is also plagued by illegal fishing and trans-shipment at sea.
For several months the industry has been waiting for the conclusion of the PetroCaribe oil deal between Suriname and Venezuela, which will also provide fuel for the fishing sector on favourable terms.
In 2005, former vice-president Jules Ajodhia, along with other Heads of Government of several other Caricom member states, signed the PetroCaribe deal with Venezuela.
At the signing of the fisheries agreement, Ambassador Alvares noted that the agreement stressed the commitment of both governments to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two nations, Net News added.
