Suriname shrimp importers and sellers yesterday afternoon held a counter protest in front of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Representative in Port Mourant, Corentyne in response to local shrimp vendors who protested on Friday to have the Suriname shrimp banned from coming into Guyana.
According to the Suriname shrimp importers and sellers, they depend on the Suriname shrimp to make a living for themselves and family.
Rajendra Roberts, 41, one of the protesters stated that he does not mind paying a fee to bring the Suriname shrimp into Guyana, but has no choice but to smuggle the shrimp into the country as local authorities refuse to accept the documentation he has from the Suriname authorities. “The problem we have, me a bring shrimps from Suriname but when we come here now the custom a make me take the shrimps and throw it away,” he complained. “Me na mind pay a duty when me come here but me na want to smuggle the shrimps into the country. Me just want make a living.” According to the importer, Guyana does not have as many shrimp ponds as Suriname thus it is easier to import a large quantity of shrimp from Suriname.
