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The future of the fishing industry is in safe hands.
That assurance was given by Minister of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Reginald Farley on Monday, 28th March, 2005. As he delivered the feature address at the opening of the Oistins Fish Festival.
In giving his full support to plans by the Ministry of Agriculture for continual training in safety at sea, communications and other aspects of seafaring life, he said that systems were being put in place to pass the skills of older fishermen on to the younger generation.
“Whilst we applaud the work and contribution of our experienced fishermen we must ensure that there is a system in place that will transfer their skills to the younger generation.
“I am pleased to say that I have been able to identify in my area, Silver Sands and Enterprise particularly, a number of young men just out of secondary school who have committed themselves to joining the fishing industry,” he continued.
He also said the youngsters had committed themselves to learning at the feet of the experienced fishermen, as well as joining in any established formal training which was available.
“The future therefore of the fishing industry is in safe hands because we have a solid pipeline of young people who are committed to joining this, one of the oldest professions in the world,” said Farley.
He said formal education in areas relating to the sea would also be expanded.
“Through the Ministry of Education, specifically the Samuel Jackman Prescod Polytechnic, we have made a determination to expand our training capacity in those areas related to the sea.
“We have started a new seafarer and engineering programme and we will very soon be signing a memorandum of understanding with the government of Bermuda to do student exchanges and to jointly engage in training for people interested in working at sea whether in fishing or other aspects,”he said.
The minister said that Government believed that when it came to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, there should be a clear and rational approach to the shared fisheries resources across the region.
“We therefore will continue our involvement in initiatives such as the CARICOM fisheries mechanism, as well as try to negotiate fishing agreements with countries in our region willing to do so,” he said.
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