Suriname still to license 150 Guyanese fishing boats

By David Papannah On In Guyana News |
Checking in with fishermen: US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch (second from right) and US Deputy Assistant Secretary Barbara Feinstein (right) travelled to regions 5 & 6 to speak with local fishermen, the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, and see agro-businesses in action. Fishing boats under construction can be seen in the background. Feinstein, who has responsibility for Carib-bean Affairs and Haiti was here last week for three days during which she met with the government, the opposition and civil society bodies. (US Embassy photo)
Checking in with fishermen: US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch (second from right) and US Deputy Assistant Secretary Barbara Feinstein (right) travelled to regions 5 & 6 to speak with local fishermen, the Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, and see agro-businesses in action. Fishing boats under construction can be seen in the background. Feinstein, who has responsibility for Carib-bean Affairs and Haiti was here last week for three days during which she met with the government, the opposition and civil society bodies. (US Embassy photo)

The agreement between Suriname and Guyana last August for 150 fisherfolk here to be granted licences by Paramaribo starting from January, 2022 is still to be realized and Chairman of the No 66 Fisheries Co-op, Parmeshwar Jainarine feels the delay is as a result of a pushback from licence holders in Nickerie who currently rent licences to Guyanese and stand to lose revenue.

Jainarine yesterday told Stabroek News that fisherfolk are frustrated as the licence holders in Suriname are now demanding that they dock their boats in that country and are threatening to stop renting the licences.

He explained that the issue was brought to the attention of Minister of Agriculture,  Zulfikar Mustapha, who promised that he will work to resolve the issue. Mustapha is currently in Ecuador attending the 37th session of the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean. The Minister could not be reached for  comment yesterday. Messages sent to his WhatsApp number were not answered.