A consultation organized by the National Association of Fisherfolk Cooperative Societies Ltd (NAFCOOP) is ongoing in Dominica to chart the way forward for the betterment of the fisheries and cooperative sectors.
The consultation which is being held under the theme: “Fishing-The Way Forward After Maria” is taking place at the Prevo Cinemall.
“This consultation represents our determination to show that we as an organization are prepared to set the pace and draw up a pathway to make the state of the fisheries and cooperative sectors better,” President of NAFCOOP, Earl George said while addressing the opening ceremony of the consultation.
According to him, today marks a milestone in the history of the fisheries sector whereby the nation can see that the fisheries sector is alive.
“As fishers, we are here to show that we can and do contribute to the advancement of this nation,” he stated.
George said this is not something which will be achieved singlehandedly, it will call for the collective effort of all, including the government and various agencies as well as the private sector.
“This consultation is an indication that we are not going to wait for others to come to us to do it or to tell us what to do,” he remarked. “We are sending the message that we are taking matters into our own hands and are chattering our future…”
Meantime, Rennick Toussaint Representative of the Fisheries Division believes this consultation is necessary and very timely to access, review and plan for the future Post-Maria.
“Maria has taught us that we can’t do it alone,” he said.
He pointed out that to move the fishing industry in Dominica forward “we must work collaboratively and in a spirit of unionism.”
“The cooperatives values of honesty, unity, social responsibility and caring for others must now be inculcated in our daily lives, bearing in mind that we cannot do it alone,” Toussaint noted.
Toussaint revealed that the Cooperative Division over the years have been mandated to promote, develop, supervise the Cooperative Sector and after Post-Maria and, “we saw the devastation the department went around and did what we call a damage assessment of all the cooperatives on the island and generally the majority of our cooperatives are fisherfolk and agriculture.”
“What we noticed that the majority of our cooperatives were hit severely by Maria,” he stated. “This report was submitted and we worked with a number of agencies to see where we can get funds.”
Toussaint indicated that this process is ongoing.
“We must all be determined to work harder and smarter to build a stronger and more resilient fishing industry,” he stated.
The Facilitator of the consultation is Nigel Lawrence.
how can they speak on behalf of fishermen when they do nit have a relationship with them
Every time I hear about the fishermen one thing come to mind they pay no taxes they and the farmers after every disaster they get boats engine etc yet still fish are being sold for 15 dollars if skero love he’s people as he claim y there is not a ceiling on fish and agricultural produce fish should not be sold for more than $7.50 per lb there should be price control already we are under paid in this country while farmer and fishermen are always getting stuff for free and also cash
Consultation was great. Lots came out of it. Very educational and eye opening. Cooperation is key. We can pull through it we are a resilient ppl
Wow… it’s a lot of devastation to recover from. I surely wish the cooperatives well as they all try to bounce back. The gov’t has tried and thrown a lot of big wigs, consultants and money at it, yet the price of fish is so so high. ..Indeed we cannot do it alone. Fishing is so well organized and lucrative in the French islands around us, any consultation with them to see how they do it so that we do not have to reinvent the wheel for so many things?