Fisherman robbed at sea

…calling for stringent measures to avoid piracy

Following a recent maritime attack at sea, a fisherman is calling on relevant authorities to implement stringent measures so as to safeguard those who seek a livelihood at sea.

Haresh Singh, a fisherman from Sparta village on the Essequibo Coast, was on Saturday afternoon robbed of his possessions during a routine fishing operation offshore the Essequibo Coast in the Atlantic Ocean.

According to Singh, pirates carted off more than $1.4 million in seine, which he had aboard his vessel at the time of the attack. The fisherman explained that he had set his seine in the Dunkel area deep in the Atlantic Ocean and when he had returned to land, he noticed another boat taking off with his seine and catch.

Singh pointed out that this was not the first time he has had such an unfortunate experience, as on numerous occasions he was robbed while at work at sea.

The disgruntled fisherman indicated that despite several reports made to the Fisheries Officers within the Region, nothing was being done to address the matter. He also noted that scores of fishermen were promised better supervision of the waterways by Coastguard boats by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo during a recent visit to the area, but to date they were still awaiting actions emanating from his promise.

Given his most recent loss, Singh is calling on the Prime Minister as well as the Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder to put measures in place to clamp down on acts of piracy and defend those depending on maritime activities for a living. Moreover, he posited that intervention from those in authority was particularly important, since fishermen were now scared to venture to sea since they were fearful for their life.

Singh even went on to say that fishing was his only source of income and as such, called on Minister Holder to launch an investigation.

This report of yet another act of piracy affecting Guyanese fishing operations comes just days after an outcry from residents on the West Coast of Demerara regarding the disruption to their livelihood as a result of similar attacks.

http://guyanatimesgy.com/fisherman-robbed-at-sea/