Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering (left) has assured local fishermen that Government is pursuing measures ensure they receive payment upon the point of delivery but was careful in noting that the system will take some time to get on stream. 'As soon as that is done I will make a major announcement,' said Hon. Pickering, noting that the proposal has to be first approved by cabinet. Photo: VINO

One of the few females in the fishing industry making a point at the first ever National Fishermen's Conference on March 1, 2013. Photo: VINO

This was an issue raised by fishermen and addressed by Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Dr. Kedrick D. Pickering at the National Fishermen’s Conference at Purcell Community Centre on March 1, 2013.

Hon. Pickering was very confident in assuring the fishermen that presently there are measures being pursued to ensure that they receive payment on the point of delivery but was careful in noting that the system will take some time to get on stream. “As soon as that is done I will make a major announcement,” said Hon. Dr. Pickering, noting that the proposal has to be first approved by cabinet.

The Minister explained that with that system in place it would place the fishermen in a better position to earn more as they would not have to be out using sea time seeking markets for their catch. “From where I am sitting is one of the things that would encourage you to invest more in your fishing equipment, in your fishing boats because you now know that when you bring in the fish you can get the fish sold.”

“I want you to listen carefully because this is where the real money is,” he challenged the fishermen. At the time he was speaking about the available markets presently and spoke of a discussion he had in October 2012 during a boat show at Nanny Cay where he said he had audience with approximately fifteen businessmen who work specifically with the cruise yachts and have a vested interest in purchasing fishes locally. “These are the people who are not necessarily interested in the cost, these are people who want to eat fish, a specific type of fish, a set quality of fish and the price is no problem.”

The challenge raised by the businessmen, Hon. Pickering continued, was that in most cases there was not sufficient fish on the local market and as such the businessmen were forced to import them from overseas, in most cases, from St. Thomas. “They were overjoyed when they heard that our fishing complex would provide them with the fish they need when they need it. Now [Acting Manager of the BVI Fishing Complex] Mr Williams is telling me that they can’t keep up with the demand,” said Hon. Pickering.

The Minister argued that there are enough restaurants and hotels in the Virgin Islands to “eat up” all the fish provided locally. “We don’t even have to worry about exporting our fish because we can’t produce enough fish for the market.”

The Government of the Virgin Islands has plans to construct fishing complexes on each of the main islands; Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Tortola. In the initial stage, Government plans to set up a solar farm at Anegada to the extent that some five acres of land has been surveyed to accommodate the facility. It believed that the solar farm would produce energy at a much cheaper cost. “We have to get started somewhere and we think that Anegada is very unique,” Hon. Pickering stated.