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‘We surrounded by water & for days you can’t find fish to eat’- Bishop Cline

- Calls for further developments in local healthcare system to cater to needs of population
Bishop of the New Life Baptist Church in Duff's Bottom, Tortola, Mr John I. Cline says as the VI develops, he wants to see the local economy take full advantage of resources at the disposal of the people, including taking advantage of the local marine sector. Photo: Facebook/File
He added that if a more equipped healthcare sector becomes a reality, people may be able to come to the VI from across the region to access healthcare services, just like they come to access jobs. Photo: VINO/File
He added that if a more equipped healthcare sector becomes a reality, people may be able to come to the VI from across the region to access healthcare services, just like they come to access jobs. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF'S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- Prominent clergyman Bishop John I. Cline says as the Virgin Islands (VI) develops, he wants to see the local economy take full advantage of resources at the disposal of the people, including in the marine sector.

Speaking on March 2, 2023, via a video posted on the ‘My BVI’ Facebook page, Mr Cline pointed to the local marine sector as a prime example of underdevelopment. According to the man of the cloth, the territory is surrounded by marine life but still faces seafood shortages.

“For days you can’t find fish to eat and I believe that we have to fix that and it should not take six years to fix that… I just don’t understand certain things,” he added.

He further said that although the VI does not have the land space like other Caribbean countries, it must learn to use technology to be able to take charge of food security, given the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These developments, the preacher said, must be taken into consideration when persons go to elect leaders in the VI at the upcoming General Elections. 

Development of the healthcare sector 

Meanwhile, Bishop Cline said there is also a need to develop the local healthcare sector to be sufficient for the needs of the people. 

“It is my desire to see and to live in a Virgin Islands where healthcare is not sought off island.”

Mr Cline explained that even though the VI cannot, because of its population size, have all the specialties that are needed, it must have at least some core competence built into the local sector.

The bishop noted that even from a private sector or public sector perspective, he wants to see systems where people can access quality and affordable healthcare right in the territory.

He added that if a more equipped healthcare sector becomes a reality, people may be able to come to the VI from across the region to access healthcare services, just like they come to access jobs.

36 Responses to “‘We surrounded by water & for days you can’t find fish to eat’- Bishop Cline”

  • home (07/03/2023, 13:19) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Go and finishing
    • Arrion (08/03/2023, 09:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      When I need dinner, I just go down to the beach on the rocks and throw my line in. The other day I caught 6 Hard Nose for dinner and sometimes I catch Snooks, blue crabs, and others just on my one line because I only need dinner and don't own a boat, so I really can't believe you cannot find fish. With all of the water surrounding us, you sound lazy not to catch anything.
  • herbs power (07/03/2023, 14:00) Like (30) Dislike (0) Reply
    But he have a boat, is lazy he lazy.
  • red (07/03/2023, 14:01) Like (49) Dislike (0) Reply
    Remember you and your government gave monies to friends and family that never owned a boat to go get the fish or farmers that never know how to plant a banana tree
  • A reader (07/03/2023, 14:01) Like (32) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dear Bishop Cline, check the weather, check the sea conditions, not everyday is a catching day! Ask any fisherman then you will understand
  • the rock (07/03/2023, 14:08) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then said jesus fish on the right side, remember, but u.are rigjt with health care
  • Population (07/03/2023, 14:08) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The idea that the BVI can't have niche facilities is only partially, only if you look at it as a question of servicing a small fraction of the local population. Do you know how many people would love to live out their last days in the Caribbean? Treatment homes are a well known idea in the surrounding islands and their existence give the locals of those islands access to niche treatment and medicine that would otherwise be in the US or Europe. There are definitely downsides and upsides to the concept but it's worth discussing the value it provides to people living within the country
  • love boat (07/03/2023, 14:14) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    I am really tired of these so call men of the cloth of a certain church who are just steeped in the ways of sodom. Certain preachers have love boats, they use them from time to time to carry folks out and park out in the middle of no where. Spend a few hours and return to land. Maybe they could take that time or use that time to do some fishing and feed a family.
  • The watchdog (07/03/2023, 14:28) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    Tell them pastor
  • HMMM (07/03/2023, 14:30) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then go and fish
  • Prominent clergyman Bishop John I. Cline (07/03/2023, 14:51) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Prominent..LOL
  • Long gone (07/03/2023, 14:53) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are no Frys in our harbours
  • Fishers of men (07/03/2023, 14:57) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    You're recently retired so you have plenty of time on your hands to go fish.
  • NT (07/03/2023, 15:11) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    You just like Peter when things ain't looking good you want to go back fishing. Are you through with fishing for souls?
  • E.Leonard (07/03/2023, 15:13) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    As the BVI population skyrockets,so too is the demand for food, ie, fish and other food, healthcare, education, housing, social services, etc., The BVI at one time was self-sufficient in food production, including fish, exporting excess to its friendly neighbor the USVI. The BVI with a skyrocketing population has a food insecurity issue and must explore opportunities to enhance its food security posture. The fishing industry capacity has not kept pace with the rising demand of an increasing population. What can the BVI?

    The Blue economy. Revamping fishing to meet at least domestic needs must be part of exploring and developing the blue economy, ie, a fishing cooperative. What is the scope of the Blue economy? Two metrics are important. The first is the Territory Sea which is a sovereign right and extends 12 mile from shore. And the second is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which extends up to 200 miles from shore. The BVI can lay claim to 200 miles on its north coast. Other potential opportunities in the blue economy in addition to fishing includes energy exploration(oil, gas, wind, tidal) , aquaculture, etc. The BVI must invest in protecting its EEZ, preventing encroachment by other countries.
    • RealPol (07/03/2023, 18:40) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The BVI needs to diversify its economy. The Blue economy is the next potential economic frontier that needs to be fully explored. However, I’m not highly confident in finding Black goal. But fishing is a good prospect. Much talk is had about economic diversification but no concrete action never materializes. Though the BVI may not be self-sufficient in food production, it needs to take action to reduce the food import bill.
    • Quiet Storm (07/03/2023, 23:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Seems like there is great potential in the EEZ. But how viable is the EEZ as an additional economic pillar?
    • @E.Leonard (08/03/2023, 08:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E. Leonard, a fishing cooperative seems like a good idea/suggestion. Our people need to engage in more group economics to empower themselves. If we want to be more than consumers, self-empowerment plan is vital to being also producers.
    • Road Town Rebel (09/03/2023, 06:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Virgin Islands need to look deep into the future. I want my great grand children to drive to Virgin Gorda from Tortola.
  • hey (07/03/2023, 16:27) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    He was never fishing for souls he was just trying to full his pockets just like his nephew i saw last year on Peter island a party and he and his rich friends came on a boat to party why can't he used that same boat to go fishing election is just around the corner and now and only now they are noticing a lot of things.
  • ( X ) HOLY MAN (07/03/2023, 16:50) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    WHILE YOU ARE ON ( SURROUNDED BY WATER , WHAT IS IT CALLED ? , AND CAN YOU PLEASE ENLIGHTEN Mr E LIEONERD THE GREAT HISTORIAN ,THAT WE ARE STILL WAITING ON HIM. TO WHY PWOP FROM OTHER CARIBBEAN ISLANDS ARE CALLED ( ISLSND PEOPLE , AND WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE AND THE HISTORY BEHIND IT , HE HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY BRINGING SOME PARTS OF OUR AFRICAN TO
    US HISTORY , BUT BSEEMS TO HAVE SELECTIVE AMNESIA ON SOME PARTS .THINK
  • Rubber Duck (07/03/2023, 17:02) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    We seem to be pretty good at catching square groupers.
  • Hmm (07/03/2023, 17:30) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    We can’t find any fish because of our stupid Premier,he allowed the outer islands come in an fish here but we can’t go in there area to fish
  • tola (07/03/2023, 17:45) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Since you all get that fake $20k fishing stemalus package you never touch water again ..
  • Are you sure (07/03/2023, 19:03) Like (2) Dislike (19) Reply
    Just sew guy at capoons bay who catched alot of f8nsh and there cleaning them. Are you not in touch?
  • Forbidden Truth. (07/03/2023, 19:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’s alie straight fron hell
  • SeaCB (07/03/2023, 20:06) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    I see folks fishing in the channel west of the sewage outfall (just after Prospect Reef and before Duff’s Bottom). I worry about people eating that fish, because I’ve seen the River of sewage that’s expelled so close to the coastline, that travels past Manual Reef and straight into Sea Cows Bay. It’s disgusting and appalling that the Gov’t can’t fix that sewage pipe to go deeper into the center of the channel.
    • Disinterested (07/03/2023, 20:49) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      There should be a moratorium on fishing downstream from this raw sewage outfall. The Environmental Division or the maritime folks should conduct regular testing of fish, whelks, conchs, etc from area downstream of the outfall.
    • Quiet Warrior (08/03/2023, 07:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Treated the sewage at an advance level before discharging into the bay. Writ large no treatment is the problem.
  • Farming Idea (07/03/2023, 20:29) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why don't we build some greenhouses to grow food? Oh wait ....
  • Is this really John Cline (07/03/2023, 20:57) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Why does he look so old. I know when this guy was such a handsome young man.
  • answer (08/03/2023, 10:40) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fish Mobile
  • vi (08/03/2023, 12:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go catch you own
  • Real Talk (08/03/2023, 13:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    R u bringing them philipino who catching even the jelly fish and eat ,all you business person and the complaining


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