WEDNESDAY WOMAN: Vernel’s vision of hi-tech fisherfolk

With a vision to see all people associated with the local fishing industry recognised as professionals, Vernel Nicholls continues to advocate training.Having worked at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex for 27 years, Nicholls now also wears the hat of president of the 11-year-old Barbados National Union of Fisherfolk Organisation (BARNUFO). She says she has big dreams for the Barbados fishing industry and hopes “to see all persons associated with the industry trained, so when we speak people listen. We want the Government to buy into what we are proposing to them”.  Nicholls recounted her entry into the fishing industry: “I was young, out of school, had no qualifications and no job. It was the first real job.” Nicholls sees employment within the industry as a feasible professional option. “I have been blessed to educate two children and build my own home through working in the fishing industry. I ensured that my children got the best, and I would always support the fishing industry as an option for a profession,” she said.Noting that everyone in the industry had the same opportunity to make a living, Nicholls said that in the early days one did not get the level of financial returns one could get now but it was now a very viable industry to those who used it sensibly.During her first year as president, Nicholls has represented the fisherfolk on all local and regional matters pertaining to the industry. She has also sought to rebuild the organisation. “BARNUFO had a lot of challenges. First [there is a] struggle with membership – if there are no members then there is no organisation. We need to get a membership base to lend strength and voice to our representation,” Nicholls said.In her capacity as president, Nicholls recently visited Newfoundland, Canada, for a training opportunity organised by the Barbados Vocational Training Board. “I was so impressed with the fishing industry in Canada. It is not picture perfect, but it is a good model for any industry that wants to see growth, especially an industry like ours which has been around for many years.”  The visit to Canada has Nicholls even more determined to see advancement in the local industry and the eradication of the stigma attached to it, with a lack of respect from people who see fisherfolk as uneducated.“Barbados’ fishing industry has the potential to be strong like any other industry, such as tourism. It just needs the support.”Even though fishing is an area in which people can be trained on the job, Nicholls advocates formal training.There is a level  of professionalism in Canada that is lacking in Barbados, she said, adding that the advancement in the Canadian fishing industry was an initiative from the fisherfolk themselves, when they recognised how little respect they got. “Today everyone coming into the fishing industry in Canada is trained and they are referred to as professional fish harvesters. This is where I would like to take the fisher folk here,” said Nicholls.With regard to people entering the local industry, Nicholls said, a meeting with Vocational Training Board showed that some fisherfolk do not see the importance of being trained and being seen as professionals.To get this mindset changed, she said: “I am looking to set up meetings and visits in schools through the Ministry of Education to find out if children viewed it as a profession and how they would like to be viewed if they entered the profession.”Technology the keyNicholls sees technology as the key to bolstering the industry. “In Canada there are boats which have the latest technology. If we want the young people in Barbados to enter the industry we need more technologically advanced boats; then young people would jump on the opportunity.”She added that the lack of technology limited fishing ability, and if the fishermen here would advance their fleets they would understand the need to be trained to use the different kinds of equipment.The upgrading of technology is not too far off, Nicholls learnt through a conversation with a local long-line fisherman, who had upgraded his boat with a computer and radio which allowed him to fish farther offshore.The technology also enabled him to test the water temperature, which better enabled him to find fishing areas and also to fish for other species outside of the regular fish season, rather than being tied up in the dock until November.  “We cannot stick to flying fish and dolphins – we need other species. In Canada, when there was the collapse of the codfish industry, they had to look for others, [and] they [got into] the crab and lobster industry,” she said.  Nicholls thinks that training would not only teach fisherfolk how to fish but also increase their employment opportunities.  “When the fishing season here is closed, then fishermen can find work on ships, oil rigs and have the opportunity to fish in other territories, but right now they are not certified to do so.” She added that when countries called for teachers, nurses, doctors and other professions, those people could get up and go because they were trained to work anywhere.  “That is not so with fisherfolk, so we need to understand the disadvantage we are faced with and realise that things may not always be good with the fishing industry here.  “With the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, we have the privilege to go and come if trained, so we cannot be close–minded. The society is changing, both locally and globally; we need to take the chance and get the necessary tools to change along with it, so we don’t get left behind,” she said.