Salisbury Fisheries Agriculture and Tourism Cooperative launched

The Salisbury Fisheries Agriculture and Tourism (SFAT) Cooperative, which has been formally registered, was officially launched on Wednesday December 11, 2013, at a registration ceremony on the Salisbury beach.

The new cooperative will focus on bringing about increased economic activity in the community through fishing, agriculture and tourism related activities.

Interim President of the Salisbury Cooperative, Titus Moses, in outlining immediate plans said the cooperative will seek to add amenities to the fish landing and washroom facilities currently existing on the Salisbury beach.

“The Salisbury Cooperative will expand and modernize the structures built then and will add much needed new dimensions. This will include a tourism component to comprise beach chairs, life guard boats, secure bathing zones etc,” he said.

“A fine restaurant, an agricultural sale depot, additional public showers with a ramp for people with disabilities, and an office for the cooperative will also be given priority,” Moses added.

Registrar of Cooperatives, Mariet Canoville congratulated the new cooperative movement for taking the bold step in developing Salisbury. Canoville challenged the new cooperative to work at creating at least (30) thirty jobs.

“Members of Salisbury group you have the potential to create at least (30) thirty jobs directly and indirectly combined in your community,” she said. “Can you imagine if you created at least 30 jobs and 19 other constituencies organized 19 viable cooperatives each providing at least 30 jobs, this would mean 600 jobs would be created in the cooperative sector, trust me it is not that difficult”.

“People of Salisbury, I have the confidence that you can make it happen. However, it would not be an easy road. It would take hard work and patience,” she said.

The Registrar of Cooperatives encouraged members of the cooperative to work hard, and be committed to enhancing the economic livelihoods of villagers. Canoville called on the cooperative movement to ensure that its meet the requirements of the Cooperative Society’s Act.

Her wish is that the cooperative would aspire to become a cooperative model that would be emulated throughout Dominica.

Meantime, Parliamentary Representative for the Salisbury Constituency, Hector John, said he welcomed the Cooperative movement as a vehicle for economic development. He described the Salisbury beach as a gold mine with tremendous potential waiting to be harnessed.

“This Salisbury beach has great potential. We have an area that can be utilized for sports, for fishing and social activities. At the Salisbury beach, we have a basketball court and we also have space to accommodate a playing field. We need to put our efforts together to utilize this place, this is very important and that is why we must commend the SFAT for doing just that,” he noted.

The Parliamentary representative suggested that the Salisbury beach be developed into a multi -purpose area. He called for progressive networking between the church and the Salisbury cooperative.

“The Salisbury beach is not only utilized by the fishermen and the Salisbury community but the church has a large stake in the Salisbury beach and we cannot do anything without the involvement of the Salisbury church. There must be progressive networking between the church, the SFAT and the entire community to realize our goals,” noted John.

DLP Senator for Salisbury, Bentley Royer, represented Community Development Minister, Gloria Shillingford at the launch of the Cooperative. Royer is convinced that the Salisbury beach has the potential to become a model beach on the West Coast. He called on the wider community to make this dream a reality.

“Salisbury has its place because it has a beach and with this beach we can concentrate on fishing, agriculture and tourism because I believe this beach has the potential to becoming the best on the West Coast if properly utilized,” he stated.

Franklyn Georges, a resident of Salisbury and member of the Cooperative endorsed the group. He called for the support of the wider community to assist the group in realizing its goals.

“Let’s make Salisbury second to none. Please keep working. Many of us return home and we sit on our behind and do nothing. Returnees please come and join the community in this effort,” he remarked.

The Salisbury Fisheries Agriculture and Tourism Cooperative has a current membership of (22) twenty-two. On Wednesday, the Cooperative Division presented the Salisbury Cooperative with $5,000 to assist in getting the cooperative started.

A copy of the Cooperatives Society’s act and regulations was also presented to the Cooperative.