The Fisheries Division on Monday gifted 44 fishers with much-needed supplies in the continued effort to increase the local supply of fish.
Hon. Minister of Agriculture Claude Hogan commended his staff, including Fisheries head Alwyn Ponteen, Director of Agriculture Melissa O’Garro and the Permanent Secretary Daphne Cassell, for the work they did to make the project happen.
A sum of $12,000 was spent to gift the fishers with supplies, which included among other things, a vacuum sealer, water coolers, gill nets, nylon needles, rope, trap floats, fish pot wire, ballyhoo netting and circle hooks.
Melissa O’Garro encouraged the fishers to keep good records in order for the sharing of data with the ministry, so they can keep track of how the industry is growing. “We want at the end of the day be able to show how the supplies have been beneficial” to us all.
She also requested that the fishers give their support to the Waitt Institute staff who are on island to gather information and work with the government on designing an ocean management strategy.
O’Garro acknowledged the addition of more young fishers which bode well for the longevity of the industry on island.
Minister Hogan said in the future they want to add biodegradable gear. “When you lose fish pots, the fish don’t just die.” He called for the cooperation of the fishers so they could improve the industry.
