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Fishing Restrictions in Anguilla.

Fellow Anguillians, I am Pam Webster, Leader of the Opposition in Anguilla.

I wish to respond to the latest COVID-19 update, released by the Governor and the Premier on Monday 6th April 2020. Allow me to briefly refresh your memory of a press statement that I issued to all media on Friday 3rd April 2020. In that press statement, I raised the issue of the fishermen in District One and elsewhere who were being prohibited from fishing in our waters by the Royal Anguilla Police Force. My inquiries into this matter included several calls to the Governor, Ministers responsible, the Fisheries Department and a detailed review of The Public Health (Temporary Restriction on Movement of People and Public Gatherings) Order which was gazetted on 27th March 2020. I called on the government at that time to provide an exemption for our fishermen to be able to carry out their work to maintain the supply of fresh fish to the local market, inclusive of households, supermarkets, and restaurants. In that press statement, I noted the regulations implemented in Turks and Caicos Islands and Trinidad and Tobago, which classified fishermen and farmers as essential workers; recognizing the critical role that they play in food security, particularly at this time where global food chains have been affected by the COVID-
19 pandemic.

 I am somewhat disappointed in the government’s decision to restrict all our fishermen and their vessels from fishing in Anguillian waters. This restriction will come into force from April 8th to April 21st – a 14 day period. This decision will place an additional financial strain on fishermen and their families, particularly during this economic crisis we are facing. Likewise, this decision may negatively impact our food security. At this time, with much uncertainty about when our tourism sector will be fully active in a post-COVID-19 environment, we must rely on and invest heavily in our ability to feed ourselves.

The government, in its latest statement issued on 6th April 2020, suggested that their actions to restrict all fishermen from fishing in our waters was to ensure that resources designated to protect our borders were not being “stretched”. In the past five (5) years, I have made several representations to this government concerning the need to invest more in border patrol and our search and rescue capabilities, to no avail. Now, this particular chicken has come home to roost and has become a serious impediment to our fishermen, who are essential to us at this time.

 The release from the government was also deliberately vague concerning any compensation package for our fishermen, who will be out of work for two weeks at least. Last night I spoke with several fishermen in my District and these new restrictions greatly concern them, as they should. I also see no evidence of any real and tangible consultation with the fishermen before the decision was taken.

 I also attended a meeting earlier today with the Government and several of our licensed fishermen, in which our fishermen made excellent representations and suggested alternative approaches – all reasonable. In light of this, I am calling on the Governor and the Premier, going forward, before considering any extension of the
14 day period, to take into account the following:

 1. Ensure that all our fishermen are encouraged to be part of the solution, by soliciting their assistance in reporting unknown vessels in our waters and increase our surveillance in this area.

 2. Instead of making a unilateral decision to stop our fishermen from practicing their trade, please consider, as one fisherman suggested today, a system by which we can allow them to operate on specific days and at specific times to ensure that they are still able to function, albeit with some limitations.

 3. Hold additional consultations with our fishermen during this 14-day restrictive period to develop a system for continued fishing in our waters that will satisfy all stakeholders involved.

4. I am calling for a detailed package of compensation for our fishermen for the loss of income they are now forced to endure.

 5. I was given the assurance by the Government that The Public Health (Temporary Restriction on Movement of People and Public Gatherings) Regulations, 2020 would be amended to classify our fishermen and farmers as essential workers. I urge them to ensure this is done swiftly in order to lay the framework for their incorporation into our essential services going forward.

 6. After the restriction is exhausted, we need our fishermen to enjoy every freedom to help us survive the post-COVID-19 era.

 To all Anguillians at home and abroad, from the beginning, I have maintained, and I continue to maintain, that the health, safety, and wellbeing of our people is my number one priority. And yes, this requires us to make difficult decisions. However, good governance requires proper and effective consultation with all stakeholders, to better inform our process of decision making. In this instance, I believe that patrolling our waters and making provisions for our fishermen can be solved through effective negotiation and cooperation from all stakeholders. We must always seek to do right by our people. After all, they are the ones who elect us to work in their best interest. I continue to pledge my full support to the government and our people during this difficult time and it is my hope (and I am encouraged by the Premier including me in today's meeting) that we will communicate more effectively on such issues in the interests of our people.

 

Thank you. God Bless you and May God Bless Anguilla, always

Office of the Leader of the Opposition

THE HON. PAM WEBSTER

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