The All Tobago FisherfolkAssociation (AFTA) intends to write to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley on Tuesday to deal with the problem of fishermen from Barbados who AFTA claims are overfishing in Tobago’s waters.
AFTA president Curtis Douglas said “enough is enough” He said AFTA would be sending correspondences to all concerned since the overfishing by the Bajans are causing fish processors in Tobago to go out of business and the employees sent home. Douglas said the Bajans have been plaguing the Tobagonians for years. He said during the Covid-19 Pandemic the fish population increased. However he said for the last year fleets of Bajan vessels have been operating in Tobago’s waters illegally. When asked he said the vessels can be identified as Bajan because of the identification markings on the boat. He said while a one pound pack of processed flying fish sells locally for $35, one fish sells in Barbados for $9. Douglas said Tobagonians are losing revenue since the island’s economy is based on fishing and tourism. He said when the flying fosh is overfished it creates a greater problem since many other commercial species depend on the flying fish for food. He said this creates a shortage of commercial species causing higher prices on the retail market. Douglas said there were around 5 commercial processors but that number has dwindled. He said a basket of frying fish that wholesalers sold for $200 now costs $400. Douglas said in February 2022 he raised the issue with THA Chief Secretary Farley Augustine.but it was not addressed. On Saturday Nikesha Pantin-Charles, the Secretary of Agriculture on the THA advised Guardian Media to contact Assemblyman Nigel Taitt who she said has the portfolio of Marine Resources and Fisheries. When contacte Taitt said he would not be able to comment until he has further information.