Lack of sustained effort to address fisherfolk challenges ‘embarrassing’

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy speaking to president of the TUCDC Lloyda Angus (on his right) and other members at the Fisherfolk Day observance yesterday at the Rosignol Stelling.

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy yesterday said that he is “often embarrassed” about the fact that the country does not seem to have a continuous and sustained effort in addressing challenges affecting fisherfolk and has also expressed concern at the low number of fishing boats being licensed.

“Mostly, since independence, we have made some real genuine efforts to bring remedies, but these efforts never have staying power and we always seem to return to the status quo,” he said at the Fisherfolk Day observance held yesterday at the Rosignol Ferry Stelling. The local industry has been continuously plagued with piracy and several fishermen have died with efforts to end the scourge being short-lived. The ministry has come under criticism for the limited progress made in this regard.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Khan, Secretary/Manager of the