Fisherfolk from across the island were yesterday engaged in talks on the future of the industry.
The discussion, held at the office of the Fisheries Division, focused on developing the capacity to implement a small-scale fisheries guidelines.
“We are saying that we want to lead in these decisions. We want to be the people to be able to sit at the table and participate in these activities,” said Vernel Nichols, president of the Barbados National Union of Fisherfolk Organisations (BARNUFO).
Vernel Nichols
“We know that many times policies are made, decisions are made, and sometimes if we are not a part of these decisions people can do what they like and, in most cases, some of the people that are making the decisions really don’t know much about our activities.”
Also making presentations at the meeting were Dr Patrick McConney of UWI’s Centre for Research Management and Environmental Studies, and Dr Raymon Van Anrooy of the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation.