Hijacked boat recovered

Berbice: The fishing vessel owned by “Palwah” of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, which was hijacked by pirates in the Corentyne River last Thursday evening, was recovered with all its tracking devices, outboard engines and other materials missing.
The boat was discovered in the vicinity of  Number 43 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, two days after it was hijacked by a few men who were armed with guns and cutlasses. Upon its discovery, the stripped boat was taken to the Rosignol Fishing Co-op Wharf and subsequently to Georgetown to facilitate repairs.  The police and coast guards were unable to make any arrest, but they are still investigating the matter.
From reports received, the victims of the hijacking are fearful that if they provide the police with the identity of the perpetrators, they might be targeted since they fish for a living. Berbice Piracy Committee Chairman Parvinchandra Deodat on Monday said that there are not enough measures in place to tackle piracy on the Corentyne River.
He noted that before piracy can be efficiently tackled; all stakeholders have to play a major role, noting that collusion and bribery have to stop. This practice, he reiterated, will not assist in fighting the scourge. According to Deodat, based on the alleged skullduggery of some ranks, the Number 66 Insure Fish Boat Complex was forced to write the Home Affairs Ministry and the police commissioner, and since then, they have become targets for victimisation.
The chairman further stated that January last, some fishermen were robbed, and based on investigations; a few people were arrested, but were subsequently released despite evidence to institute charges against them.
“It was clear that the perpetrators have passed a lot of money to get loose,” he alleged. However, in light of the recent pirate attack, the Berbice Piracy Committee had a meeting with Surinamese officials on ways in which both nations can improve the livelihoods of their fishermen.
He noted that discussions were aimed at looking at areas to tackle piracy, and more so how the trade can be sustained despite several challenges, including the one they are faced with presently. He also said that the productive discussions also tackled measures in which fishing can be beneficial to both Suriname and Guyana with the limited resources that are available at their disposal.  
Another issue that was successfully discussed was the fishing policy that would probably see Guyana getting license to fish in Surinamese water and vice versa. The meeting was held on Sunday at the Number 66 Insure Fish Boat Complex.