Fishermen write UN about seismic survey
Word of proposed seismic surveys in the Gulf of Paria by a multinational oil company has reached the United Nations (UN), as fishermen at King’s Wharf, San Fernando, have expressed fears about fishing in the area while the surveys are being conducted. The fishermen, who believe the survey will disrupt fishing grounds in the Gulf of Paria, have written a letter of complaint to the UN’s Department of Fisheries. Fishermen from San Fernan-do, Marabella, Claxton Bay and Oropouche expressed concerns about disruption of their livelihood. The multi-million dollar survey which has been re-scheduled to start next Wednesday, is a project of Petro-Canada. San Fernando Fishing Co-operative chairman, Salim Gool, said a letter objecting to the survey was also sent to Petro-Canada executives. He lamented that while the UN acknowledged the co-operative’s letter, it had received no response from Petro-Canada. Gool said in its letter to the oil company, the co-operative cited the UN’s letter and response it received. He said, "The last thing we heard is that they (Petro-Canada) would only pay compensation on legitimate claims. We have been advised that fishermen should fish around the seismic vessels, but we feel that is an unsafe thing to do," he said. The co-operative intends to write newly-installed Energy Minister, Dr Lenny Saith, on the issue. Some 60 fishing pirogues operate out of King’s Wharf and generate employment for an estimated 600 people.
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"Fishermen write UN about seismic survey"