The Fisherman’s Day committee chairman, Winsbert Harry addressed the closing of the 49th annual Fisherman’s Day. The speaker passionately pleaded with all participants to become stronger, united, and work to completely rebuild the nation’s entire fishery sector.
During his speech, at the event, which was held with the theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future” and slogan “Healthy Fish, Tasty Dish,” Harry presented a grim view of the challenges being faced by the local fishers while emphasizing how important they are to the country. He did not hesitate to expose the many hardships currently affecting the local fishing community. These include rising costs for fuel, collapsing infrastructure, extreme weather conditions, overwhelming amounts of sargassum invading the waters, and limited access to financing and marketing. Due to the increasing burdens placed upon marine resources, Harry explained that many times fishers come home prior to sunrise and barely have enough fish to support themselves for another day.
These daily struggles contribute to great levels of frustration and despair experienced by workers. “There are too many within this sector that still feel invisible and disengaged… We too often only think about the fishers during a time of disaster or when the prices of fish increase because of them or when we cannot put those fish on our plate,” Harry said.
Although Harry expressed numerous difficulties facing the fishermen, he strongly defended the integrity of the occupation and reminded everyone that fishing is “not a secondary industry.” It is an essential economic engine driving families; sustaining communities; promoting tourism; and creating employment.
Furthermore, Harry emphasized that the right to food is directly related to economic opportunities and livelihoods allowing fishers who provide food for the country to create better lives for their families. Additionally, he emphasized that fish is one of the healthiest forms of protein available to Vincentians, therefore making the sector crucial to national food security and overall well-being.
To ensure a future for fisheries Harry proclaimed that the sector must be regarded as a serious national asset contributing to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rather than viewed as a charity. In addition, he presented a comprehensive outline of urgent needs required by the industry, such as:
* Stronger representation and safe harbor landing sites.
* Adequate cold storage and processing facilities.
* Insurance to protect fishers and better disaster relief systems.
* More training and job opportunities for youth entering into the industry.
Additionally, Harry forewarned his audience that “climate change is here” and that the oceans are experiencing changes. Therefore, he called for immediate action through marine resource conservation, diversification, and investment in aquaculture and value added production so that fishers can take control of more of the economy.
In a final powerful call-to-action to his peers, Harry encouraged the fishers to cease waiting for external assistance. “Do not wait for someone else to save this industry for you,” he urged. “It will be up to us as fishers… to preserve [our] history.”
He requested that the community stop fighting with each other and instead begin organizing and sharing knowledge together. Harry requested that the 49th Fisherman’s Day be seen as an “awakening” based on courage, renewed trust, and prosperity.