The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas yesterday handed over a five-year management plan for the artisanal fisheries sector to Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder.
The Department of Public Information (DPI) said that there are five objectives outlined in the action plan: licensing and registration, marine environment, safety and order at sea, dialogue cooperation and coordination, and finance.
Minister Holder said: “These changes will be resisted by many, but with awareness programmes by the Fisheries Department, and with assistance by Cooperatives, I am sure all involved in this sub-sector will be willing to adapt to these changes,” the Agriculture Minister stated.
DPI said that among some of the changes that are necessary to effectively manage the sector are modification to fishing gear, to the types that are more environmentally friendly, along with the enforcement of closed seasons.
Chief Fisheries Officer within the Department of Fisheries, Denzil Roberts said “We will have more enforcement to ensure that the vessels are licensed,” the official explained.
This management plan, that runs from 2019 to 2024, allows Guyana to maintain its obligations towards upholding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #14 which seeks to conserve and sustainably use of the oceans and marine resources.
