-by Kyler Rollins

Fisherfolk in Region Six received a boost today, thanks to the government’s one-off cash grant of $150,000.

The distribution, led by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, saw over $255 million injected into the local fishing sector, providing much-needed support to the industry.

The initiative forms part of the PPPC government’s continued efforts to support and strengthen the livelihoods of fisherfolk across Guyana.
This is the second fisherfolk grant to be distributed since the administration assumed office in 2020 and represents a cumulative investment of over $1.5 billion in disposable income for fisherfolk nationwide.

Minister of Agriculture Hon Zulfikar Mustafa said the government remains committed to developing a resilient and sustainable fishing sector, noting that the financial support is intended to assist with developing the sector.

“We have been working with various fisherfolk organisations to see how we can ensure that we bring relief to this industry. We know for a fact that there is a problem sometimes with your marketing. When you have large catches, the price for fish goes down. We are working now to develop a system where we will work with various fisherfolks across the country so that we can get a proper marketing system,” the minister said.

Apart from the cash incentives, Minister Mustafa noted that fisherfolks have benefited from improved landing sites, as well as the distribution of seines and other essential fishing materials to better support their daily operations.

Meanwhile, several beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the assistance, describing the grant as timely and impactful in helping to offset operational costs.

One fisherman, Ramkissoon, said “The government is doing a lot and it’s doing well and I feel happy that the fishermen receive because we are getting a lot of challenges, they are coming to us, you know, and demanding from us.”

Kenny Dhanpat said that the grant will provide much needed support less lucrative periods.

“I’m thankful for it because I haven’t worked for actually nearly two months now, I wasn’t getting the catch. So I am very thankful for it. That could assist us to do something else, you know, on the sea,” he told NCN.

The $150,000 cash grants aim to provide financial relief to fisherfolk to assist with the rising cost of living.