'ACP countries contributing to stagnant fishing industry'

Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer

WEAK AND ineffective governance, poor policies and bad institutional structures are among the major reasons for the widespread and continuing degradation and depletion of the natural resources of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. In effect, these countries are guilty of contributing to the worsening poverty among fishing communities and declining food security, which directly affects an estimated three million people who work as fishers, traders, and processors.

Recently, Dr Sandra Grant, regional manager of the ACP Fish II Programme, used a video presentation to get this message to a wide cross section of stakeholders concerned with the promotion, preservation and sustainability of regional marine resources.

Dr Grant used the occasion of the network monitoring and training workshop at The Wyndham Kingston hotel to call for the development and implementation of stronger policies to address the many common ills. She noted that the problems do not stop at borders, just as fish do not, hence, the need for regional focus and cooperation was integral to effectively addressing them.

This view was echoed by Helen Jenkinsson, European Union chargé d'affaires, who emphasised the importance of enforcing the requisite laws. "You can only implement and enforce a policy if it is the policy of all your members and, perhaps, here I should just repeat, implement and enforce. There are many countries all over the world, including some European Union countries, where you have legislation and it sits in a cupboard, so it doesn't achieve much," said Jenkinsson.

Continuing, she insisted that strict enforcement of national and regional laws is critical to achieving the stated objectives: "I know it's not easy, but this is important, and you are going to be dealing with, particularly, overfishing. Making sure that fishing is carried out according to seasonal laws where that is the case. It has to be enforced and it starts with your own fishermen in your countries, and also your neighbours and illegals from other countries and the rest of it. It really is key that that this is enforced."