The Ministry of Agriculture’s Fisheries Department has taken a significant step towards enhancing management and security standards for fisherfolk with the procurement of 100 Vessel Monitoring Devices (VMDs).
The VMDs are aimed at monitoring fishing activities in real-time, with a specific focus on reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices.
These devices, procured from Latitude Geospatial, represent a significant investment, with the project costing approximately 15 million dollars.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha underscored the importance of these devices in advancing the fishing industry.
He highlighted their role in enabling authorities to locate vessels, ensure fishers’ safety, and prevent accusations of encroachment into restricted areas.
Moreover, Minister Mustapha emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, urging fisherfolk to encourage others to register.
He clarified that registration was not solely for revenue collection purposes but was essential for understanding the extent of involvement in the fishing industry.
The implementation of VMDs addresses the unpredictable nature of maritime environments, providing a modernized safety measure for fisherfolk operating at sea.
As the distribution of VMDs begins, the Ministry of Agriculture anticipates extending this initiative across the country, with the ultimate goal of equipping every vessel in Guyana with a government-provided tracking device.
With these advancements, Guyana’s artisanal fisherfolk can look forward to improved safety, enhanced management practices, and a more sustainable fishing industry.
Reported by Delicia Janneire for NCN News