Rosignol fisherman reeling from seine theft

Deodat Ramoutar

Seine theft has emerged as a serious and growing concern for fishermen, veteran Deodat Ramoutar said, as several of his boats remain idle following repeated losses.

Ramoutar, who has spent 36 years in the fishing industry and operates from the Rosignol Fisheries in Region Five, said that since February he has lost four boatloads of seines—fishing nets essential to his daily operations. “From February to now, I lost four boatloads of seines. The boats are parked up because they don’t have nets,” he told reporters. “I haven’t received any help so far. Even the Coop doesn’t have anything to assist. I asked them for gasoline to help search for the nets—they didn’t have,” he added.

According to Ramoutar, he has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars searching for the missing nets, travelling as far as Mon Repos and Mahaica on the East Coast of Demerara, but has recovered only a damaged portion of one net.

Ramoutar explained that while engine thefts and hijackings were once the main threats, missing seines have now become a major issue. “Now seine lost from the boats if it cuts away accidentally, or sometimes people cut and thief it,” he said.

With several boats out of operation, he is appealing for government assistance. “It’s very difficult to replace the nets in a short time. I’m asking the government to please help with some seines so I can get the boats back to work,” he said.