[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the aftermath of the last reported drowning of two fishermen from Vieux Fort in March, the Minster for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Co-operatives, Ezechiel Joseph spoke on the situation. “It is unfortunate, and I want to extend to the family our sincere condolences, but I am hoping it is a lesson for other fishermen that they should be out there with the respective gear that they have been advised to go out with.”
He added “I am sure you have heard that the fishermen are being asked to go out with safety gear and they have been trained in that regard, but some of them are not listening. We have a lot of laws, but it is just a question of people not adhering to the laws”.
Laws outlining the use of safety equipment while fishing are found in the “Fisheries Regulations Saint Lucia Statutory Instruments
of 1994, No.9” under regulation 4. It reads:
Every vessel shall carry on board-
(a) A bailer capable of removing water from the vessel;
(b) A hand-held compass or other compass approved by the Chief Fisheries Officer;
(c) Not less than 13.64 litres of fresh drinking water stowed in a closed container for each person on board the vessel less than 7.62 metres in length over-all or 22.73 litres per person on a vessel 7.62 metres and over;
(d) One set of oars and one main sail;
(e) A battery-operated water-proof flash light;
(f) Non-perishable rations stowed in a waterproof container, sufficient to sustain each person for at least 5 days;
(g) A small glass mirror capable of being used as a reflector;
(h) At least two flares suitable for use at night;
(i) At least two flares suitable for use in daylight;
(j) A sea anchor of a size and design appropriate to the vessel;
(k) At least one lifejacket for each person on board the vessel;
(l) A radar reflector.
Regulation 5 outlines the penalty for not adhering to these aforementioned laws: “Any owner, master or charterer who contravenes the provisions of Regulation 4 shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars.”
Last year, during the hurricane season, the Caribbean experienced powerful hurricanes which caused heavy rainfall and rough seas and also devastated some islands. The 2018 Atlantic hurricane season forecast released last month from Colorado State University calls for the number of named storms and hurricanes to be slightly above historical averages, but less than last year. A total of fourteen named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes are expected this season.
In speaking to a number of fishermen from Anse la Raye on Thursday (who all wished not to be named), they all indicated that they don’t venture out when warnings are issued although one did say that sometimes he feels tempted to, and may take a chance if winds are not too strong, because this is his livelihood and he has to provide for his family. They all indicated that when they go out to sea, they do so with all the required safety equipment. (Hopefully this is so!) In the case of any emergency at sea, the possibility of loss of life as we have seen in Saint Lucia would be remarkably less if each fisherman was adequately equipped.
So, with a predicted busy hurricane season almost upon us, let us hope that they all take heed.
