Georgetown: As the price of catfish is expected to plummet in response to an export ban implemented by the United States, dozens of fishermen are likely to ground their boats.
Gilbacker, the most valuable catch of the catfish species, usually retails at $1000 per pound.
According to industry sources, historically, conditions are not conducive for gilbacker catch between January and April. Nonetheless, the price of gilbacker remains relatively high at around $800 per pound.
However, by May, most fishermen begin operation, in search of the lucrative gilbacker.
There are over 150 small vessels known as cruisers who rely heavily on the gilbacker catch for their livelihood.
Gilbaka, also known as “Gillbacker” is a scaleless saltwater fish that is part of the catfish family. It is found in the muddy sea bottoms of coastal rivers.
Hundreds of small-scale fishermen operate in the West Berbice region and along the Essequibo Coast. There are also dozens of larger inboard vessels that fish in the Waini River, in the Barima-Waini region of northern Guyana and sometimes close to the Venezuela/Guyana border.
The cost of gilbacker is sometimes eight times the cost of other fish.
One exporter said suppliers may turn to Canada to keep export levels up, but there is going to be saturation point on the local market, which will result in lower prices for gilbacker.
He stated that the U.S. market accounts for 70% of all gilbacker exported while Canada markets take the remaining 30%.
He noted that a person selling gilbacker at $800 per pound means that he earns $800,000 if he sells 1000 pounds. This amount, the exporter says clears expenses and profits.
The Government has indicated that the United States is attempting to protect its catfish industry.
Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, blamed Government’s inaction for the ban on catfish exports to the United States.
According to Jagdeo, the Coalition Administration, despite having received notice of these changes, failed to communicate effectively with the stakeholders of the fisheries sector, many of whom have invested heavily in this area.
Jagdeo stated that the Coalition Government received an extension until February 3, 2018, to bring Guyana into compliance with the new export regulations and failed again.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stopped the export of all Siluriformes fish and fish products (catfish species) from Guyana, effective March 1.
Amanda Cauldwell, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown had said that the U.S. notified the Government of Guyana of the pending export changes in November 2015, more than 18 months before they were to go into effect.
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