Diplomatic channels used to get fishing licenses but ‘ball in Suriname’s court’ – Mustapha

Scores of Guyanese fisherfolk continue to wait for 150 promised special fishing licenses from Surinamese authorities and though the Chandrikapersad Santokhi-led administration has seemingly reneged on the promise, diplomatic channels are still being used to get the permits.

This is according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who was grilled by Opposition Parliamentarian Vinceroy Jordan on the matter Friday morning.

The Parliamentarians are involved in the consideration of estimates for budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Agriculture in the Parliamentary Committee of Supply.

“The 150 licenses were promised by the Suriname authority to give to Guyana, they reneged on it and we are continuing to represent that issue,” Mustapha said, noting that the Guyana government continues to raise the issue with various Caribbean bodies.

Fishing licenses no hindrance to ‘strategic’ Guyana/ Suriname relations

He added, “It is their prerogative to give us the license or not but we are continuing to make that representation.”

Jordan was not satisfied with this response. For him, the issue has been unfolding for far too long and the licenses were promised since 2021.

At a joint press conference held at the end of Suriname’s President Chandrikapersad Santokhi visit to Guyana in August 2021, the promise was made. It was subsequently noted that 150 SK licenses would be provided by the Dutch-speaking country to Guyanese fisherfolk.

“What is the current state of the discussion? Is it promised or is it not? Will we have it or not?” Jordan pressed Mustapha.

In a seemingly frustrated manner, Mustapha explained that the government is doing what it can: engage regional authorities through diplomatic channels.

“These people have no idea how international relations work, they don’t know diplomacy.

“We work through the diplomatic channels, we work through the international channel and we will continue to represent the fisherfolk,” the Agriculture Minister said.

Because of the proximity of Guyana’s Berbice county and Suriname, fishing in Surinamese waters has been ongoing for decades. Based on Surinamese law, however, it is illegal for Guyanese fisherfolk to obtain licenses to fish there. So various schemes have been worked out to allow fishing to continue.

A decade ago, licenses cost about US$500 (or about GY$105,000). Now, this arrangement can cost about US$3000 (or about GY$630,000) or more, making it quite a lucrative scheme.

Under the current scheme as well, the fish caught by Guyanese usually goes to Suriname first and the rejected catch is then sent to Guyana. Sometimes, this requirement is bypassed and the fish is smuggled directly to Guyana.

This licensing situation has troubled Guyanese fisherfolk for quite some time. Deepening bilateral relations between the two countries, however, seemed to finally provide a resolution.

However, the licenses have not been provided.

“We are continuing to make the representation, we had the commitment and they reneged on the commitment. That will continue to be on the agenda while the PPP is in government,” Mustapha vowed on Friday.