Amid continuing calls for support, Chief Fisheries Officer, Denzil Roberts, yesterday assured Region Two fishers that his department will continue to work to address their concerns.
He announced that fishing vessels operating in the region will be outfitted with monitoring devices, a move aimed at boosting security, ensuring safety at sea, and curbing illegal fishing activities.
This meeting followed a recent protest by the fishermen, who were eager to voice their concerns. The protest highlighted the fishermens’ desire for a more constructive relationship with the Fisheries Department. Attending the meeting yesterday were Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit, and various Fish-eries Department officers.
Throughout the meeting, the fishermen discussed the pressing need for enhanced security measures while at sea, suggesting specific systems for anchor and drift seine fishing. A few fishermen related their horrific ordeals at sea. Two of them shared that they were robbed and have not gotten justice to date. However, they expressed the desire to continue to invest in their business although they sometimes come home empty-handed.
They also lamented that consumers are choosing imported and canned fish over their catch. They noted that the imported fish is cheaper, and is the main reason behind consumer preferences.
The fishermen said that they would be happy if this issue could be looked into. “The fish coming into the country is cheap; people prefer cheap purchases. This is killing us fishermen. This needs to stop,” a fisherman stated.
Roberts told the meeting that the Vessel Monitoring Devices (VMS) devices will provide comprehensive security and tracking capabilities for the boats, making it easier to locate fishermen if they go missing.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairperson, Vilma De Silva, urged the fishermen to organise themselves into a group, explaining that the purpose of the meeting was to address their ongoing issues. She emphasized that collective action is key to finding solutions, while reassuring the fishermen that they will not be neglected.
“You are just as important to us as the rice farmers in this region. We are not neglecting you; we are committed to your welfare just like every other resident,” De Silva said.
De Silva also pointed out that a formal group would enable better representation of the fishermen’s interests. She told them that no issue is being overlooked and that matters which cannot be resolved at the regional level will be escalated to the Ministry of Agricul-ture.
The assembled fishermen also complained about the frequent robberies at sea that impact their livelihoods, noting that reported incidents often go unaddressed.
“We support the VMS [but] some of them fishermen are not keen because it will show everything we doing,” a fisherman explained.
They emphasised their long-standing reliance on fishing for their livelihoods and called for a stronger collaboration with the Fisheries Department. They also urged the authorities to clear the outfalls at the sluices.
“We want to survive. We are doing an honest living. Why are we being treated this way? We are bullied at sea, robbed, and sometimes come home without any catch. We need our areas to be zoned so no one can come around”, one said.
