Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud held discussions with a team of experts from the Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS), Ocean Research (OCEARCH), Internationals Game Fish Association (IGFA) and Costa Del Mar, to embark on developing an inland fisheries policy.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, the ministry plans to develop a comprehensive programme so that sport fishing and inland fishing resources are properly utilised and managed. Persaud noted that developing an inland fisheries policy as regulation is vital for sport fishing in order that it is done in a sustainable manner. He noted too that “Government’s track record, in terms of sustainable development and sustainable utilisation of our natural resources is something that we do not take lightly.”
Persaud also referred to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and other sectors, including tourism and eco-tourism, where focus is placed on using resources sustainably. He acknowledged that there have been some instances of over-fishing and certain species of fish have disappeared in some areas due to social pressures in communities and lax regulations.
“There is no coherent inland fishery policy or regulations in the country,” he said, adding that as a result discussions were held, recently with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for them to assign a long-term specialist to help develop the policy and the relevant rights, Persaud said. The ministry has also been using other subsidiary legislation and other legislations that fall outside the Fisheries Act including some from the Environmental Protection Act, as well as the boundaries of the Forestry Act, to attain a measure of control in the industry.
“The project is not stopping any community from accessing the fishing resources but to ensure that the resources are exploited in a sustainable manner,” Persaud stressed. The policy is expected to be similar to the Arapaima Management Plan in Region Nine and is expected to be placed in the national regulations. The minister also noted that the experts and organisations are willing to work in refining the draft document that it developed with the FAO and to implement regulations that will preserve the resources while meeting the country’s goals.
Deputy Director at the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Tameca Sukhdeo-Singh said the GTA is excited to work with the GTIS to promote sport fishing in the country.
She added that the tourism industry had been developing rapidly and that the regulation would be able to target environmental protection and tourism development simultaneously.
Similarly, USAID Mission Director Carol Horning said the US government is pleased to be part of the project.
She noted that the GTIS has been working with the ministry for over four years to help it expand birding as a niche market in eco-tourism and USAID hopes that it can assist in a similar way in the development of sport fishing. Horning also expressed hope that the organisations’ explorations will lead to something tangible and was happy to have the various organisations on board to provide the scientific knowledge and judge the real potential for sport fishing in the country.
In addition, Vice President of Marketing of Costa Del Mar, Al Perkinson, noted that part of the corporate mission is to develop sport fishing and protect fishes and their habitat around the world. He said his company has been working in Guyana for some months now and has discovered that it has done great work in developing its eco-tourism. Perkinson added that sport fishing would be an excellent form of sustainable industry that would benefit citizens and at the same time protect the country’s rainforest and other parts of the environment.
IGFA Conservation Director Jason Schratwieser said it has worked in over 120 countries to help develop sport fishing industries. IGFA’s primary goal is the protection and conservation of habitat through sustainable practices and education.
The Association has visited over 120 different countries in an effort to work internationally to promote sustainable fisheries for recreational exercises. “If there is an interest in developing recreational fisheries in Guyana, we would like to offer any assistance that we can, based on the experience,” Schratwieser said. He also noted that if implemented well, recreational fisheries can bring in a lot of revenue in a sustainable industry.
OCEARCH President Matt Shilling said this non-profit organisation “believes in the social, economic, and environmental benefits of sustainable fisheries management while protecting sport fishing access by focusing on four primary programme areas: research, education/ awareness, sustainability, and marine debris.”
