Following a recent pirate attack on fishermen in the Waini River, a call has been made for coast guards to widen their patrols.
Police ‘F’ Division Commander Ravindradat Budhram has said that investigations are ongoing into a report of the attack.
Five fishermen, from the West Coast of Demerara, were attacked in the Waini River on May 21 and robbed of approximately $8 million worth of fish, fish glue, food supplies, two outboard engines, and fuel, before they were left drifting.
The men, Muneshwar Bissoon of Hague Jib, Leroy Albert and Boy (only name given), both of Cornelia Ida, Satesh Bissoon, of Anna Catherina, and Zachery (only name given), of Leonora, were all rescued from their fishing vessel five days after being attacked. They later received medical attention from a Region One (Barima Waini) health facility before they were transported to Georgetown.
According to Carol Persaud, a sister-in-law of the boat’s owner, Totaram Bissoon, “Every year we have to pay licences fee but we are not getting any protection… the coast guards just operate but to a point. Nothing is being done to help our fishermen.”
She added, “Fishing is the only trade these men know. They born and grow in this and if they don’t get any protection, they would not want to go out back to sea… how will they survive?”
She added that when boats get attacked, not only do the crew members suffer but their families and boat owners, since they are held accountable by family members of the fishermen.
The men were attacked by four men 10 miles off shore and badly beaten. The fishermen declined to relate their story when approached by Stabroek News.
Persaud, however, said the fishermen explained to her family that they were all in the boat cabin on the night of the attack when they heard a boat pull up alongside. As a result of this, Muneshwar, who was the captain, enquired and was instructed to return to the cabin and he complied.
Persaud added that after the four men boarded the vessel, they ordered the crew members to exit and then demanded that they hand over their catch, which was transferred to their boat.
Stabroek News understands that the pirates threatened to kill the men if they attempted to disobey their orders. At the time of the attack, the men had 600 pounds of fish.
Persaud went on to say the pirates also made the men hand over their clothing, food supplies and fuel before they escaped.
She added that the fishing crew was brutally beaten with a cutlass and suffered chop wounds. Albert, she said, sustained a chop to his hand that almost severed a thumb, while Muneshwar suffered a blow to his head.
The woman stressed that the men had to light a fire to signal other boats. She said the men were left with nothing to eat and no medical supplies. She noted that after drifting for five days, they were rescued by a fishing boat and taken to the Waini Police Outpost.
This publication was told that the men were hospitalised for a few days before they returned home to their respective families.
Meanwhile, Persaud called on the coast guards, Maritime Administration and the police force to mobilise more patrols and extend their boundaries on the river. She also lamented that when fishermen are attacked there is a rare chance of justice.
