Guyana waits in optimism on solution to Suriname’s fishing licence setback – Agri Minister

Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha (left) and Suriname’s Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Parmanand Sewdien sign the agreement on Thursday, August 19, 2021

President Irfaan Ali has also expressed similar optimism that the matter will soon be resolved and although the licenses should have been issued some four months ago, there is no telling now when that will happen.

Suriname had agreed to issue some 150 SK fishing licences to Guyanese fisherfolk by January 2022. These SK licences are granted to vessels with a Suriname Coast (Surinaamse Kust) to fish in the offshore zone along the breadth of the coast of Suriname.

Based on media reports in the neighbouring country, however, the Surinamese government has faced some pushback from private sector players, and concerns from opposition members.

Issues raised consistently by Guyanese fisherfolk include the high cost of licences through an illegal arrangement and the outright non-issuance of licences.

It was previously reported that Guyanese fishermen operating along the Corentyne have to pay some US$3,000 (about GY $630,000) to fish under an illegal arrangement with a licensed fishing company in Suriname.

And even when the fish is caught, it has to go to Suriname first and the rejected catch is then sent to Guyana.

A development in this matter, however, is that the Surinamese authorities claim that several licences were granted to Guyanese fisherfolk.

This is a claim that the two governments are now seeking to verify.