Protesting fishermen in Anna Regina are calling on the Ministry of Agriculture to facilitate arrangements with a major buyer or processing company to purchase fish from them or store the products until market demand improves.
Fishermen and seafood vendors staged a peaceful protest in the town on Friday, appealing to the Government to intervene as the local fishing industry continues to struggle in the aftermath of the MV Barima tragedy.
According to the protesters, seafood sales have declined significantly since the tragedy, with many consumers fearful that fish and other seafood products may be contaminated. Carrying placards appealing for assistance, the fishermen said their livelihoods have been severely affected.
Among the protesters was Diana Basdeo, who said fisherfolk are facing financial hardship due to the drastic decline in demand, adding that many are struggling to meet loan repayments while large quantities of fish remain unsold in cold storage.
Seafood vendors echoed similar concerns, explaining that despite travelling through communities to sell their products, customers remain reluctant to purchase seafood, leaving vendors unable to buy fish from local fishermen.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said there is no scientific evidence to suggest fish available for consumption has been contaminated as a result of the tragedy, though he acknowledged that rumours have affected fisherfolk’s livelihoods.
