Finding the right bait

It employs as many as 6,000 people. It represents roughly nine percent of the agriculture sector’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It earns some TT$62 million a year. The fish and fish-processing industry provide our rural, coastal communities with their main source of employment, not to mention supplying our nation’s protein requirements and food security needs.  It has been a part of our economic landscape since the colonial era, and is likely to continue contributing to national development for some time in the future. But in the face of regional and global economic and environmental changes, is the fish and fish-processing Industry of Trinidad and Tobago an industry with a future?  Can it be developed even further and made sustainable and profitable over the next few years?

Fish industry’s future
Over the past year, members of the fish and fish-processing team (FFIT) have been working assiduously, towards resolving these issues.  The FFIT is one of seven industry development teams operating under the ambit of the Prime Minister’s Standing Committee on Business Development.  Like the other industry teams, the FFIT was given a mandate to draft a strategic plan for the long-term development of its industry. The industry team is optimistic about the continued viability of TT’s fish industry, notwithstanding the range of competing interests represented, and the complexity of issues inherent in the industry.

Challenges
This country continues to have a vibrant and growing fish-processing sector, a thriving game fishing sector and a relatively untapped offshore fish resource.  Together, these factors paint a picture of new opportunities through which the industry can be developed in the near future.  But there are a few challenges that must be met head-on, before this vision of prosperity can be realised. One of the most important challenges facing the industry is the poor state of the inshore fish resource, which is heavily over-exploited.  Linked to this is an outmoded, legislative and regulatory framework, to manage and develop the industry.  Another issue is inadequate infrastructure and onshore sites for fishermen to land and manage their operations.  Also, the industry continues to face the challenge of meeting new food safety requirements in the handling of fish, from the ocean to the grocery shelf.

Of major concern is the reality that the fish industry is heavily fragmented, in terms of stakeholder representation; stakeholders range from the single fisherman working his nets, to the big trawlers and industrial processors.  This makes it complicated when attempting to effectively address the issues of all stakeholders as effectively as possible, not to mention having proper representation of industry interests, and adopting a collaborative approach to the management of the industry’s resources. A critical issue, as well, includes the limited social policies developed for the coastal communities who are among stakeholders of the fishing industry.  This is particularly important to help provide alternative — or, new — job opportunities for fishing communities, as well as, ensuring a more educated well-trained work force.

Making it happen
The team is suggesting the establishment of a fish and fish-processing industry secretariat to oversee not only the implementation of proposed projects, but also the development of business within the industry. One of the first projects that must be tackled is creating an integrated coastal management policy for Trinidad and Tobago.  This would help determine the best coastal areas to be allocated for fishing activity, as well as which areas are better suited to alternative coastal marine activities. 

The team advocates better training and support for fishermen, not only in managing business operations, but also to provide new skills as an alternative to fishing, if necessary.  Security issues are also critical.  The reality is that many of our fishermen put their lives and personal property in danger every time they go out to make a living. Finally, the FFIT maintains that a unified fisher folk association, to represent effectively the interests and secure the future of local fishermen, would not only ensure that fishermen’s and related industry interests are represented, but also facilitate real industry collaboration and cooperation, whether for resource management or meeting international food safety standards.