More money for brackish water shrimp project as $55M approved for fisheries support

As part of targeted interventions to boost local fish production – particularly through the new brackish water shrimp project – an allocation of $55 million was approved during the budget estimates on Tuesday.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who was asked to provide a breakdown of this allocation, detailed that about $30 million would be spent on the brackish water shrimp project on the Corentyne coast of Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne).

This money would be used to purchase tubes, boxes and some sluices.

Through this project, the government is aiming to increase the production of this shrimp from 250,000 kilograms to 500,000 kilograms by 2025. Already, 63 ponds have been completed and higher production of this shrimp was seen in 2021 when compared to 2020.

Meanwhile, other funds will be used to boost capacity and install new fencing at the Satyadeo Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD).

Some of these funds will be used for digital fish tagging devices and also some furniture and equipment.

While presenting the 2022 National Budget, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said that a total of $743.7 million has been allocated to the fisheries subsector as part of the government’s intention to expand fishing activities and ease the woes of local fisherfolk.

And he noted that a direct allocation of $230 million is budgeted for the second phase of this brackish-water shrimp production initiative. This allocation is expected to raise aquaculture production by over 300 per cent.