Three fishing pirogues were destroyed in a fire at the Morne Diablo Fishing Facility on Sunday night, prompting fishermen to remove their remaining vessels yesterday amid fears the attackers could return.
Several fishermen were seen loading their pirogues onto flatbed trucks after reports circulated that those responsible planned to come back and burn the remaining boats.
Morne Diablo Fishing Association president Kelvin Deonarine described the incident as both a “hate crime” and a “mystery.”
Deonarine said the association was informed about the destruction of the three pirogues but was unable to prevent it.
“At the beach, we have no security, and it’s at least four miles before you reach the first house. I’ve been asking for security for years. Governments come and governments go, but we can’t even get someone to clean the beach. I’ve been putting that in writing since 2006. Up to today, it’s a facility that was simply placed there, and if the fishermen don’t take care of it themselves, nothing gets done,” he said.
He added that the fishing shed destroyed in the fire had been outfitted with electricity by the fishermen themselves. The owners of the three pirogues estimate their combined losses at more than $600,000.
One of the affected boat owners, Anthony Ramnath, said he had no idea why his vessel was targeted. He explained that he last used the pirogue, Nandanee 3041, about three weeks ago before securing it at the facility.
Ramnath said he received a call around 11 p.m. on Sunday and was told to come to the beach. When he arrived, he found his vessel engulfed in flames.
“When I came, I saw the boat on fire. Everything was destroyed, the fishing nets, the boat, everything. We were supposed to go out and earn a living the next morning. I still owe the ADB Bank, I have three children, and now I have nothing to provide for my family. This is how I make my living. School has just reopened, and things are really hard for me. I can’t see a way forward,” he said.
Ramnath believes the incident could have been prevented if there was security at the facility. He said fishermen feel neglected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries. He appealed for help and can be contacted at 293-0732.
Fisherman Terry Ramjit, who has spent 30 years in the industry, said fishermen have long struggled with inadequate infrastructure, poor road access and a lack of security. He said after the fire, many fishermen began making arrangements to remove their pirogues from the facility.
“We are living in fear,” he said, calling on the authorities to improve security and infrastructure to allow fishermen to operate safely.
The fishermen said Fire Service responded promptly and extinguished the blaze within a reasonable time.
Up to press time, there was no response from Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Ravi Ratiram.
