Fishermen plead for help

PRIME Minister Patrick Manning has promised to tackle the issue of security along TT’s coastlines very closely and disclosed that as part of this thrust, Government will be purchasing a new radar system.

Speaking on the issue of sea piracy following a post-Cabinet press conference at White Hall yesterday, Manning said the new radar system will provide a 350 degree coverage of our coastlines and should be acquired within a year’s time. He was responding to concerns from local fishermen about sea piracy, when he spoke to Newsday. Manning added that further plans are underway to set up another CoastGuard base in Cedros, which will go a long way in helping out the situation. Moruga fishermen seem to know about the dangers of the sea since they have suffered several incidents of piracy as well as run-ins with the Venezuelan “Guardia Nacional” over the past year. But not only in Moruga; piracy on the high seas has also occurred in fishing villages such as Erin, Icacos and Cedros over the years. About two years ago, there were also reports of stolen boat parts in Carenage, Maracas and La Fillette.

The Moruga fishermen have really felt the brunt of it lately, however, and are calling on Government for more protection and assistance from the Coast Guard. They say if these attacks continue to happen as often as they do, there may be no more fishing industry for TT to look forward to in the next few years. They painted a grim picture for the future, saying fishing may become just another hobby. Just before the end of August, several fishermen from the area experienced a run-in with Spanish-speaking, gun-toting pirates. They were robbed, tied up and left for dead as the pirates took all their food and water supplies. Julien Silverton, who was there that day, said these pirates are young, strong and smart. “They look very young like teenagers and they put guns to your face. They robbed us of everything we had, including jewelry and you should see how quickly they do it, they are quick,” he said.

Residents believe the pirates are the poor youths of Venezuela who live near the Orinoco River. A few of the fishermen who lost several engines and two of four boats that day, heard that their engines may be in St Lucia. They had to get their serial numbers together quickly this week and are awaiting word from officials at National Fisheries to see if recovered engines match theirs. Reynold Ramkelewan, owner of the boat, “Mr Cola” said  four boats went out to sea that day. The others were the “Marissa” and two which the pirates stole: the “Cobra” and the  “Great White.” Also stolen were four engines — three 75s and one 115. They said if they add up all the engines, nets, boats and other equipment that they have lost over the year, it would total in excess of  $150,000. “So you see, we are taking a chance by going out into the ocean. It is becoming a dangerous job in which we fear for our lives, but nobody doing anything,” said one fisherman. “Meanwhile, these young, trained youths robbing us of our livelihood,” he added. Residents believe the sea piracy is just as big a trade as the drug cartel.

Kenrick Anthony, a fisherman for about 30 years said: “But where the Coast Guard? I only see them about twice and I does be out there all the time.” Most residents felt quite disillusioned even at a time when  the area was receiving a lot of attention with a number of recent incidents. The week after the fishermen were attacked, about 24 kilogrammes of cocaine washed up along the shore. The next day, residents were attacked by strangers demanding where they were keeping the drugs. “Too bad I did not get any of it,” joked one gentleman, “but we realise this is the only time we get attention.” The village became the centre of attention yet again when a portion of a US Arian space shuttle washed ashore, causing widespread curiosity across the country and even internationally. The last time something like this happened was a few years ago when a French L5 torpedo washed up on the shore, bringing visitors from far and wide to the beach. Concerned residents also spoke about the neglect of the beaches and the agriculture industry. The only things that the village seems to be popular for these days, they lamented, are marijuana, drugs and beatings in the forest, or getting lost at sea. After years of protest, they eventually got new roads and the water supply is better they said, but there is so much more that needs to be done. “The youths have nothing here, all ah dem leaving,” said one elderly resident.

Peter Glodon, spokes person for the fishermen shared these sentiments. He was due to meet with at least three Cabinet Ministers including Agriculture Minister, John Rahael and MP for the area, Works and Transport Minister, Franklyn Khan on Wednesday. Glodon said he will be making a proposal to Rahael, to investigate the findings of a report in which two Venezuelans were gunn-ed down while they are trying to verify if the retrieved engines from the Venezuelans correspond with the engines which were stolen from the Moruga fishermen. He will also be making a request for more emphasis to be placed on agriculture and fishing since this makes up a large portion of the National Food Bill. Glodon said even though Government promised the village a new fishing port which would have been available in the last 2002-2003 Budget, they have not received anything. Lieutenant Comm-ander Mark Williams, Commander of Opera-tions at the Coast Guard said: “We know about the problems and we would like to do more,  but right now we have a limitation of assets.” He said the Ministry of National Security was aware of the need for more patrols because of the importation of drugs and is working on bringing in more high-speed vessels to chase high-speed crime-related incidents. Williams warned fishermen that going too close to the Venezuelan border is breaking the law but Moruga fishermen say the best and biggest “catches” are found closer to the Venezuelan coastline.