Fisherfolk protest against steel mill

Ever since the announcement that a steel mill will be constructed in the area, the fisherfolk in Claxton Bay and environs have mounted several protests.

Yesterday from as early as 8 am, fishermen gathered at the fishing depot at Claxton Bay where they burnt tyres in protest of the proposed construction of the Essar Steel Mill, a short distance away.

President of the Claxton Bay Fishing Association, Kishore Boodram told Sunday Newsday, “We are not saying we don’t want a steel mill in the country. All we are saying is to move it to another part of the country as we already have so many industries in this three mile radius.

“We are in the pollution and we think we have enough.”

He begged: “Don’t put the steel mill in the heart of a village, it will be harmful in the future.”

Boodram said Trinidad Cement Limited and Point Lisas Industrial Estate lie in close proximity to Claxton Bay and already have an impact on the environment there.

He said they will keep up the protest to save their mangrove.

“Claxton Bay has the second largest hatchery area in the Gulf of Paria because mangroves produce some of the best hatchery areas you could think of.

“You find all species of fish here in Claxton Bay. We also have sea grass beds like nowhere else.”

He asked: “Is that what they want to destroy?” Boodram who issued a call for more dialogue with the authorities, told Sunday Newsday he intends to mobilise all the fisherfolk in Trinidad and Tobago to demonstrate against the building of the steel plant.