The government has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Guyana’s fishing sector to modernize infrastructure, improve livelihoods, and ensure sustainable practices, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha told fisherfolk during a recent outreach at Sheet Anchor in East Berbice-Corentyne.

Minister Mustapha emphasized the importance of rehabilitating fishing ports and landing sites, noting that these upgrades are essential for boosting productivity and supporting local fishermen. He highlighted ongoing efforts to provide better facilities for fish processing and storage, which are expected to contribute significantly to the economic growth of coastal communities.

“What we found was that there were situations where fishermen had to use places that were not conducive to their safety. When they came out of the boat, they had to go down in the mud to bring up their catches, which was a strain on them. We recognize your importance—you are very important for the economy of our country,” Mustapha said.

The fishing industry directly employs approximately 18,000 people in Guyana, making it a vital contributor to the country’s economy. Recognizing this, the government has implemented measures to modernize the sector and reduce operational challenges faced by fisherfolk. These include removing taxes on essential inputs like twine and investing in Vessel Monitoring Devices (VMDs) to enhance safety and combat illegal fishing activities.

In response to complaints about declining catches, Minister Mustapha revealed that his ministry partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to study the issue. The findings pointed to climate change as a major factor, with increased freshwater from the Amazon reducing salinity levels and causing fish populations to migrate.

To address these challenges, Mustapha urged fisherfolk to diversify their activities and consider alternative income sources such as brackish water shrimp farming. He noted that shrimp production in Region Six has already increased from 10,000 kilograms monthly to 100,000 kilograms due to improved infrastructure and innovative methods introduced by the ministry.

“We cannot only depend on one activity for our livelihood; we have to do other things. I am prepared to work along with you to go into other activities—not to leave fishing—but so that when you have low catches, you can turn to alternative activities,” he explained.

The minister also committed to providing land for shrimp farming ponds and supplying necessary equipment and materials. Additionally, he offered support for fisherfolk interested in cultivating crops by providing planting materials, chemicals, and technical guidance.

During the outreach, several issues raised by fisherfolk were addressed, including damages caused by cut grass from the Canje River affecting fishing pins and nets and the need for a step at the New Amsterdam Market wharf. Mustapha assured attendees that these concerns would be resolved promptly.

As part of its broader agenda for empowering coastal communities, the government distributed food hampers at the end of the meeting and reaffirmed its commitment to improving livelihoods through innovative solutions and sustained investment in the fishing industry.