Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 01, 2014 News
Fisher folks are urged to outfit their vessels with the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) before becoming licenced for the New Year.
The Vessel Monitoring System is a satellite based positional tracking system. The devices which will be attached to the vessels consist of a Global Positioning System (GPS), and a satellite data transmitter that provides information on vessel name, location and activity.
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in an invited comment stated that such a move will significantly aid the fisheries sector in its surveillance efforts and in traceability of the catch.
The VMS is expected to be implemented on all marine vessels plying their trade at sea.
The move to implement the system is a collaborative effort of the Fisheries Department and the Guyana Association of Trawlers Owners and Seafood Processors, and is another step towards having the industry certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
The MSC certification contributes to the health of the world’s oceans by recognising and rewarding sustainable fishing practises.
Dr. Ramsammy advised that vessel operators comply with the standards of the MSC, as products using the MSC labels have a more advantage in the global market.
He noted too that the implementation of the VMS and the certification of the MSC will encourage a more level playing field among fishermen and women.
The instillation of the VMS units on fishing vessels is one of the major activities the Fisheries Department is looking to have further advanced in 2014, the Minister said.
He noted that to date, the Ministry of Agriculture is in receipt of all the VMS units, however, only 30 of these have been install on Seabob shrimp vessels.
Negotiations are currently on going with the National Frequency Management Unit to have the remainder released and subsequently installed on all fishing vessels.
“We are therefore calling on all fishing vessels to be outfitted with VMS units before they are licenced for next year. Such a move will aid in traceability of the catch, as well as the surveillance efforts of the Fisheries Department,” Minister Ramsammy said.
The implementation of the Vessel Monitoring Systems will also assist the Fisheries Department to monitor fishermen to ensure they are in compliance with the Harvest Control Rule (HCR).
The HCR determines the amount of days a vessel is permitted to fish for a year in order to ensure the resource is sustainably harvested.
“Another area for development is boundaries. Presently, negotiations are being done to have fathom lines enforced. Once this is done there will be boundary levels where Seabob or prawns vessels are allow to catch,” Dr. Ramsammy said. He added that “this is to ensure survival of recruits in order to replenish the stocks.”
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