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‘More than just talk’ – Hon Pickering on Fisheries as 3rd economic pillar

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), right, with Rear Admiral Tom Karsten CEO, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science. Photo: VINO
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Secretary of State for Environment of the Government of the United Kingdom through the Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour of the Virgin Islands on November 9, 2016. Photo: VINO
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Secretary of State for Environment of the Government of the United Kingdom through the Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour of the Virgin Islands on November 9, 2016. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Hon Kedrick D. Pickering (R7) says turning the fisheries sector into the territory’s third economic pillar is more than just talk for the National Democratic Party (NDP) government.

The Minister’s remarks came during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Secretary of State for Environment of the Government of the United Kingdom through the Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour of the Virgin Islands.

The signing ceremony took place at the Number 10 Conference Room in the Government Administrative Complex, on Wednesday, November 9, 2016.

The agreement aims to further foster collaborative opportunities and co-operation which may consist of exchanging technical information, visits, training, and cooperative research and projects which are consistent with the development of the fisheries sector.

The project is a three-year one.

 “Many of us have heard over and over both on the campaign trail that we in the Virgin Islands should be thinking of building fisheries as a third economic pillar. But we are not only talking about it. We are actually endeavoring to make it happen,” Pickering said.

Proper scientific backing needed

“We have done significant work in terms of advancing the overall fisheries sector,” he stated, adding that proper decisions cannot be made without the proper scientific backing.

“If you are going to have regulations and ultimately protect the fisheries sector, it has to be with the relevant scientific data that tells us what is and what is not. Otherwise, we will be fishing like the olden days and just go out and drop your line hoping you catch a fish.”

This MoU is being jointly undertaken in the United Kingdom’s Overseas Territories-Turks and Caicos, Anguilla and the Virgin islands with the objective of strengthening the fisheries zone and further cementing the bond.

Just last month, the Fisheries Advisory Committee which consists of fishermen, public and private sector representatives, was formally established with the objective to advise the government on the matter of pushing the sector forward.

15 Responses to “‘More than just talk’ – Hon Pickering on Fisheries as 3rd economic pillar”

  • dog (10/11/2016, 18:50) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    More whites running me country
  • Hmm (10/11/2016, 21:29) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pickering needs to go sit with that. That's not the third pillar, not in theses times. That's old-time mentality talking.
  • Well (10/11/2016, 21:48) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    all he can do is work for is rich white friends
  • Smell Fish (10/11/2016, 22:10) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Give me a break it will never work. Here we go spending a lot of dough again for another failure like NHI. Can we the public see this fishy plan and budget? I hope your district got the guts to vote your ass out this time.
  • Observer (11/11/2016, 04:47) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Funny how all we get from some persons in these blogs is negativity. when will we start to offer solutions and just not negativity. Good move Doc don't mind the nay sayers why should the usvi get all the benefits of our fishing grounds. They already inundate the baths on a regular basis. Solutions please we already have enough non contributors talking.
  • My boy (11/11/2016, 08:50) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Any thing a rich white man says, he is all smiles. just to show
    how he thinks and behave.
  • zone 7 (11/11/2016, 09:14) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Myrun here blogging but pico will be our next Premier
  • ronnie (11/11/2016, 09:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    what type of slave this one is, a house slave?
  • Naturalist (11/11/2016, 12:07) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    If God didn't make it, it's bad for you. I noticed there is a systematic destruction of our people with regards to these man-made systems/programs. Government will continue a strict moratorium on the local fishing industry for a more wholesome farm raised fish. This move away from organically grown fish to a farmed raised fish will result in a spike in cancer and other autoimmune diseases.


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