CATEGORY: FISHING
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By Trevor Thwaites (St.George's Correspondent)


(CALLISTE, St. George's):A little more than two months after having their boats stolen on March 8th, 2006, the six fishermen in Calliste South St George, are back on their feet, hoping to boost production, especially for the six matches to be played off at the National Stadium during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007, when the big extravaganza comes to the region. To date there has been no reports of the whereabouts of six boats and equipment valued at approximately EC 180,000 dollars that were stolen in March.

The fishermen appealed for help and so the government through the instrumentality of the Agriculture Minister the Hon Gregory Bowen and government’s Caretaker Minister for the South Senator Ann David Antoine, has provided the fishermen with timely assistance. Boats and equipment valued at EC 210,000 were recently presented to the fishermen. At the handing over ceremony, the Agriculture Minister praised the fishermen for the patience and good attitude displayed during the trying circumstances.

He encouraged them to ply their trade as a business and to boost production for the world cup matches to be played in Grenada. He also urged them to insure their boats and equipment against theft and other setbacks. Bowen assured the fishermen that they were not neglected and that government will provide the necessary assistance for them to effectively executive their jobs. Senator Ann also hard words of encouragement for the fishermen and promised to work in their interest. She said that government is in discussion with the St George’s University concerning adequate treatment for Benz.

She is confident that very soon fishermen experiencing the attack will have the necessary treatment at the St George’s University. Benz is experienced by fishermen engaged in deep water diving. It occurs when the flow of oxygen is cut off from the lung during deep water diving. Four Fishermen have died and 10 are said to be suffering form the attack over the last 15 years. Some need crutches to walk.

Well the Calliste fishermen are warming to the task and have accepted the challenge of boosting production for the world cup matches to be contested here. They have showered praises on the government for the speedy assistance provided and have pledged to supply seafood in abundance during the world cup matches. “We have taken up the challenge. In fact we were already thinking along those lines even before the suggestion from Mr Bowen. We will definitely boosting our production for the world cup so that the many visitors can say good things about the country,” spokesman for the fishermen Peter Alfred told the Spice Isle Review.

The Calliste fishermen are involved in deep water diving catching lobsters, lambie, turtles, sea moss and other delicacies. They do good business with the local hotels supplying seafood on a regular basis. Reports indicate that hotels were very much affected with the shortfall of supplies during the loss of the boats for almost 10 weeks. The fishermen have been given a grace period of one year before starting the repayment for the equipment. “We are delighted;" "Nuff praise and respect to minister Bowen and the government;" "What they have done for us is truly remarkable,” were some of the responses of the fishermen.




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