Coast Guard ready for Bajans

SHOULD things get out of hand in the present Trinidad and Tobago-Barbados crisis over the right to fish in Tobago waters, the TT Coast Guard is ready! “While it is normal for us to patrol the coast of both Trinidad and Tobago to secure the borders, it is our job to prevent the infringement of any of the marine laws governing our country,” Lieutenant Commander Mark Williams told Newsday.

While subtly hinting that additional boats have been sent to patrol the coast of Tobago in light of challenges made in Tobago waters by Barbados fishermen, the cautious  Lt Commander Williams added, “We are just making sure that the waters of Tobago are secure. As to what  those measures are, I cannot say.” Newsday was reliably informed that usually, one vessel routinely patrols the coast of Tobago, but this has been increased substantially.

Following the arrest of two Barbadian fishermen in Tobago waters last week, their questionable release due to a message between a Government minister and a senior police officer, warnings were issued that more arrests will be made should a similar situation occur. And although Barbados’ Deputy Prime Minister and Attorney General Mia Mottley has called for a moratorium while fishing talks take place between the two islands, Barbados fisherfolk have threatened to continue to enter Tobago waters, and to retaliate if stopped. This has further resulted in Tobago fisherfolk making threats and the Bajans responding similarly. Because of this, it is feared that over the Carnival weekend, with the limited police resources being used inside the islands, the island’s coast could be a “sitting duck” for Bajan intruders. “As far as I am aware, we always had one vehicle patrolling Tobago, the 82-foot long TTS Galera, just like we have in South, the Gulf and other coasts,” continued Lt Com Williams. “That vehicle was recently in Trinidad for repairs, so we assigned another boat. I cannot say if the Galera has returned to service, although it should have. “While the problems between the governments do not impact on us directly or affect us in doing our duties, we have a job to do and that is to protect the coast for which we are ready. “Whatever you see or hear, we are just doing our duty and we expect this problem to blow away soon,” he added.