Minister Mustapha assures fisherfolk ‘we are committed to protecting your livelihood’

– distributes 250 hampers to Three-Door Fishermen Co-op

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, M.P, on Tuesday, distributed 250 hampers to fisherfolk of the Three-Door Fishermen Cooperative Society of D’Edward Village, Region Five.

Last week, the fishing group engaged His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who committed to providing assistance to the sector, while stressing its importance to Guyana.

During the meeting, several issues affecting the fisherfolk were highlighted. Chief among them was the global decline in fish catches.

Today, Minister Mustapha said government will never allow the sector to perish. The exercise, he pointed out, demonstrates how serious the fishing sector is to the administration.

“We have to put systems in place because we know that you would want to maintain your family. People are going out with the hope of coming back with good catches so that they could have enough money.

From the government’s perspective, after that meeting with His Excellency, we will be working with this co-op and other fishing organisations around the country,” the minister added.

Approximately 231 fisherfolk at Rosignol, Region Five, have already benefitted from the hamper distribution exercise, as government advances efforts to cushion the effects.

Minister Mustapha explained that the challenge faced by fishers is not only affecting Guyana’s waters.

Government is already in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to determine the cause of the problem.

Minister Mustapha relayed that works are moving apace and the two agencies are currently establishing a taskforce.

In the interim, fishermen and women who are facing the scourge, will be provided with a number of high value crops from the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NARIE). The ministry has promised to provide markets for their produce.

“This fishing industry is a very important one for us. Almost 20,000 people are engaged in this industry. Our export overseas has been providing good revenues and we as government, are very interested in ensuring that the fishing industry is sustained,” the agriculture minister relayed.

He further committed to providing a number of lights to allow fishermen and women to effectively work at nights. The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) has already been contacted in this regard. 

The minister also instructed the ministry’s extension officers to work closely with stakeholders.

“I want you to know that you are not alone, we are behind you, supporting you and we are committed to protect your livelihoods and we will work together to ensure that we sustain the fishing industry,” he reiterated. In the end, the minister extended greetings on behalf of His Excellency, Dr. Ali.