AFC supports stronger security for fishermen

Georgetown : The death, damage, and damnation befalling of fishermen especially in recent months at the hands of pirates must be halted. The AFC at this week’s media briefing urges the Government to immediately strengthen the security within our fishing zone to prevent the commission of so many acts of piracy.

The part claims Innocent lives are lost, catches are stolen, along with engines and other expensive fishing equipment.

The AFC urges the Ministry of Home Affairs to organize a system of permitting outbound fishing boats to carry arms. Upon their return, these arms must be accounted for at the nearest police station or the nearest fishing complex, by the fishermen who went on the outbound trip. This is the system used in Suriname by its fishermen. It encourages a confidence for those in the industry, and it deters those criminal elements in the high seas who feel they can act with impunity. AFC said fishermen must be allowed to defend themselves through these licensed firearms which they will carry.