Fisherfolk want major changes to operations at Fisheries Complex

Calls are mounting for changes in the management of the ice machine system at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, as fisherfolk continue to grapple with ongoing shortages that are affecting their livelihoods.

Leader of the Black Fin Fleet Co-operative Society, Moonesh Dharampaul, blamed “poor management” for the recurring issues plaguing the facility, while speaking to media on the sidelines of a visit to the complex on Tuesday by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Head of the Black Fin Fleet Co-operative Society, Moonesh Dharampaul (in black) speaking to FAO representatives as Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Rene Orellana Halkyer

Dharampaul said while Minister of Fisheries, Santia Bradshaw appeared committed to addressing the longstanding problem, the slow production of ice was still severely hampering operations for fisherfolk.

He added that the cooperative was now calling for Chief Fisheries Officer, Dr Shelly-Ann Cox to oversee the seafood markets, arguing that the current management structure was not delivering the level of accountability and communication needed.

“On the issue of the ice machine, it is poor management across the board. There’s no other way to put it.

“We’re not seeing the level of engagement from the current management in terms of maintenance, communication and accountability. That is what we want at the end of the day,” Dharampaul said.

The latest criticism comes just a week after a group of fishermen based at the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex held a press conference outlining their frustrations with the prolonged issues surrounding the ice supply. 

Dharampaul explained that the current system was operating at reduced capacity because only one of the two compressors on the machine was functioning.

“The machine is designed to carry two compressors with two ice machines. Today they would only be able to do two boats and then they would have to reload again, build up for tonight and then go again. So we are operating on limited ice capacity,” he said.

He added that the ongoing shortage was continuing to disrupt the sector, noting that “fishermen are leaving Barbados and going to Grenada to get ice”.

According to Dharampaul, more than 150 vessels remain moored at the complex as operators await relief from the crisis.

He also disclosed that the Ministry had already initiated steps to review the situation, revealing that the permanent secretary and the new minister had requested a report from Senior Manager of Fish Markets, Eric Lewis.

The report, he said, is expected to include maintenance logs and proposals for replacement equipment and machinery.

At the same time, the Black Fin Fleet Co-operative Society is pushing for an independent audit of the machine, along with the establishment of a public-private partnership arrangement to manage the ice system.

“We believe that this partnership will be able to reduce the cost to government, increase the efficiency of the ice machine and, at the end of the day, give the fishermen a sense of partnership and ownership in the industry,” Dharampaul said.

He added that the proposed changes were needed “sooner rather than later” if confidence in the sector was to be restored.

(SB)