Fishermen Disappointed by Insufficient Quotas

Fisheries Minister, Derek Klazen revealed that fishing quotas allocated to seven companies under the Government Employment Redress Programme in 2023 are too low to justify investing in new boats. This has led to dissatisfaction among over 2000 fishermen re-employed through the program. The affected fishermen, including Namsov employees and those previously unemployed due to a 2015 strike, have protested this shortfall, prompting demonstrations and petitions. Klazen noted that some companies in the program lack vessels and are forming joint ventures with others, including foreign entities, to access fishing opportunities.