Fisherfolk have been assisted in finding solutions as they await the repair of the frequently malfunctioning ice machines at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex.
On Tuesday, fishermen, boat owners and vendors at the complex vented their frustrations over not having adequate ice to keep their fish fresh, speaking of being forced to travel to Grenada or pay a higher price for less volume at Glacial Ice in Salters, St George.
That evening, Minister of Environment, National Beautification and Fisheries Santia Bradshaw and a contingent from the ministry visited the complex and on Wednesday, following a lengthy meeting, users of the complex said things were looking brighter.
President of the Black Fin Fleet Cooperative Society Ltd, Moonesh Dharampaul, said it was refreshing to finally be taken seriously as he described the meeting as an “eye-opener”.
“The minister is willing to go beyond the call of duty to ensure that we are looked after. I was very surprised that the minister not only visited the market [on Tuesday], but she came back [that night] to ensure that all the stuff she spoke about was being done and I must say kudos to her on that.
“We have not seen that level of engagement for a while. The topics that were discussed included things like security, infrastructure, staffing, procedural correctness, and [she], along with the Permanent Secretary, have been able to put a number of stock measures in place so that we have short-term solutions and long-term goals. So I must say she did a wonderful job and we’re really looking forward to working with her and making the industry better,” he said.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Bradshaw said in a video release that it was her first official meeting with fisheries stakeholders and she was happy the plans put in place were working.
“It is clear that the works are ongoing, we’re starting to see the ice being made again, and I’m hopeful that by [yesterday] we’ll be in a position to be able to have some of the boats filled up.
“Wolverine [Ice] is currently providing up to two boats a day with ice. We’re also having about 15 boxes [of ice] sent down to the Bridgetown market as well as a temporary solution.
“So we’re working on being able to get the market fully functional. The teams are really working behind the scenes to try to address the issues and the challenges that we’ve had, and we are working on some long-term solutions to be able to get the upgrade to the equipment here at Bridgetown Fisheries,” she said.
However, ice was not the only matter dealt with during the meeting, as Bradshaw, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said they had dealt with a myriad of other concerns.
“We had the opportunity to hear the concerns of the various stakeholders to be able to have a lengthy discussion in terms of not only what the problems and the challenges are, but also some of the solutions that the sector would like to see taking place in the industry. I think over the years we’ve made significant strides with the sector but there are still a number of things that are outstanding, [and] are recurring and coming out of this session, I think we’ve agreed that the issues of maintenance of the markets remain a concern.
“The purpose of the meeting was really to have a very frank and open discussion about some of the challenges that have been facing the industry, but, more importantly, to look at a way forward. We have to get the nitty-gritty and the basics right,” she said.
Bradshaw said some of the other key issues addressed included the maintenance of fish markets, security and behaviours.
“There are some procedural matters in terms of . . . reporting on bad behaviours and bad practices that may be taking place in the markets and how we actually regulate it.
“We’ve agreed to ensure that the necessary training in relation to the upcoming legislation takes place so that all of the stakeholders are fully aware of the role they must play within the sector, and understand they all have a responsibility to make sure that they uphold the sector and make sure that things are done correctly,” she said. ( CA)
