New initiative to further strengthen seabob industry, empower more women

A new initiative has been launched to revitalise the cooperative societies within Guyana’s artisanal fisheries sector. The project is spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the European Union Delegation to Guyana, and the Ministries of Labour and Agriculture. Launched on Thursday at Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown, the initiative aims to empower women, enhance the professional capacities of local fisherfolk, and improve their working conditions.

The initiative marks a vital step forward in promoting significant development within Guyana’s fisheries sector, with a specific focus on the Atlantic seabob value chain.

Guyana, being one of the largest producers of Atlantic seabob, was among 12 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific (ACP) selected for the EU’s ‘FISH4ACP’ programme in 2022.

FAO Country Representative Dr Gillian Smith said FISH4ACP specifically focuses on seabob production in Guyana.

“The idea was to strengthen the seabob industry for sustainability and ensure that fishers, stakeholders, and processors have a sustainable livelihood,” Dr Smith said.

The new phase, launched on Thursday, aims to foster improved cooperation and collaboration among small-scale fishers.

The initial project has already contributed to Marine Stewardship Council certification for Guyana’s industrial seabob sector, a key certification essential for accessing more lucrative markets such as the European Union, which highly values sustainably sourced seafood.

According to ILO Project Lead John Bliek, the new project will undertake extensive efforts to revitalise cooperatives, creating additional employment opportunities that fully comply with ILO standards.

“We started with a needs assessment, which Cipriani College is conducting, to identify the specific technical capacity-building needs of the cooperatives,” Bliek explained.

Once the assessment is complete, the initiative will proceed with comprehensive training programmes.

Bliek added that while they are “technically doing the right thing,” confirmation from local stakeholders is essential, noting that many associations are eager to become cooperatives but lack the necessary expertise.

Chief Cooperatives Officer within the Ministry of Labour, Janaknauth Panchu, pointed out that although 26 fisher cooperative societies are registered with the department, only five operate in accordance with the Cooperative Societies Act.

“This could be attributed to many reasons, usually poor management and sometimes corruption by elected committee members,” Panchu explained.

Although the department has intervened to resolve disputes, Panchu admitted these interventions are often temporary. He also noted that the current cooperative society legislation, enacted in 1948, is outdated, citing fines as low as 50 cents, one dollar, or $250 for refusing to hand over financial records for audits.

“That cannot be considered a fine in today’s society,” Panchu said, adding that the government and the ILO have been working to review and update the legislation.

Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Guyana René van Nes highlighted the EU’s longstanding commitment to supporting fisheries and the livelihoods of local communities.

“Guyana is the world’s most dominant producer of seabob—no other country catches more seabob than Guyana. This represents a significant market and a vital part of your fisheries,” the EU ambassador said.

He further stressed that the support from partners like the Ministries of Labour and Agriculture is crucial for sustaining ongoing efforts.