For years we hear about piracy now it has come to light that the fishermen themselves are pirates.
Collusion between pirates and fishermen
March 3, 2014 By
Allegations have been swirling that a number of fishermen operating out of this complex are into piracy
– fishing complex chairman says
– $1M settlement paid in recent attack
By Shiran Ramnauth
The Chairman of a major fishing complex on the Corentyne said that around 30 per cent of the fisherfolk who operate in the area were involved in piracy. He said because many of them are allowed to get away with the crime, the scourge of high seas piracy will continue.
Number 66 Fishing Complex Chairman Parvinchandra Deodat, who also heads the Berbice Anti- Piracy Unit, made the comments in wake of a recent incident where known fishermen attacked their colleagues, but were later released by police after reportedly compensating their victim with some $1 million.
Number 66 Fishing Complex Chairman Parvinchandra Deodat
The incident has since sparked a major row in the industry, as several fishermen on the Upper Corentyne are furious. The incident further strengthens the arguments by many that a number of the pirate attacks on the high seas are being carried out by fishermen.
On February 17, about 20:30h, fishing vessel Sharmila, owned by Sharmila Khelai of 12 Lancaster Village, was attacked by the five men in another vessel OMI 3, property of Anilla “Dolly” Alfred, 48, of Number 67 Village. Four men who confessed to the crime were arrested, but were released, since the two parties settled the incident to the tune of $1 million. The incident occurred in Surinamese waters.
In interviews with several fisherfolk on the Upper Corentyne, Berbice Times was told that there is growing frustration among persons in the fishing business. Deodat said he was fully aware of the incident, and even though he cautioned both parties not to make any settlement, they still went ahead.
He insisted that the men held for the alleged piracy and hijacking should have remained in custody and should be jailed for life, with the vessel used to carry out the attack seized by the state, regardless of which territorial waters the incident occurred in. Deodat maintained his clean record regarding the fight against piracy in the Upper Corentyne. According to him, a Bill was passed in Parliament assented to by former President Bharrat Jagdeo in July 2008 stating that for any act of piracy, hijacking, or any other high sea offence, the culprit should be slapped with a life sentence.
Information was that the owner of OMI 3 is related to an executive of the Number 66 Fishing Complex. It was reported that after receiving threats, the owner of Sharmila was forced to make the settlement. Deodat said no interference should have come from the executive. He said protocol should be observed and those who committed the offence should face the consequences.
“At the fishermen level, we need to take a stand and ban those caught in the act for life, they should no longer be associated with the fisheries,” he posited. He noted that there was an incident whereby some men were banned from doing any business there; however, during his absence, a certain member of the committee allowed them to return.
Deodat also alleged that the two fishermen who were killed at Tain some time ago died because they recognised their attackers. He stated that fishermen from other fisheries have been able to infiltrate their system at Number 66 and commit the acts with the full cooperation of those in top positions. Ironically, other fisherfolk from various organisations are saying that the officials at the Number 66 Fishing Complex are carrying out these despicable acts and are trying to put the blame on them.
Not involved
“The executive members of the Upper Corentyne Fishing Complex are not involved in piracy, but are only committed to fight this scourge. No matter what this act cannot be stopped completely, to my opinion when you analyse what triggers piracy, you will see one area as being greed, where fishermen become greedy and rob each others to get more finance,” Deodat said.
Asked what might be triggering this behaviour, he acknowledged that some fishermen’s expenses are high…” and therefore, when they are not able to make a profit due to circumstances, they then resort to robbing each other to manage their expenses. Some of them are honest and try to make a decent living, but the expenses become extreme, now especially with the rise in the price of fuel. We have been disconnected from GPL for a number years now, so the expense incurred are contributing to these illicit activities,” he posited.
Climate change
Additionally, Deodat said with the change in climate: “The water gets colder and sometimes too warm for fishing; more so, there are thousands of rice and cane farms that are being cultivated in the area, all of which contribute to manmade disaster when the chemical used are released into the river, the fishes automatically move away from danger,” he said. Deodat noted that this results in the men having to go out additional miles in order to catch fish, thus doubling their expenses.
He also alleged that a truck from Georgetown owned by someone who was associated with them is now coming to Berbice and immediately purchasing the fish that have been hijacked, so there is no trace.
Meanwhile, regarding the settlement between the owners of OMI 3 and Sharmila, B Division Commander Brian Joseph said he has since sent the file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice. (Taken from the Berbice Times)
