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Popular VG fisherman wants more done for fishing industy

- Believes Government not doing enough to help local fishermen on Virgin Gorda
Fisherman Willis L. Barry said fishermen in Virgin Gorda have been catching lots of fishes, including wahoos and tunas among others but yet Government has been allowing the importation of the very fishes from the United States of America. Photo: VINO
Mr Willis Luke Barry is well known on Virgin Gorda for growing gooseberry and for his skills in craft work. He said while he is also, to a lesser extent, growing some other fruits, ground provisions and vegetables, his passion and commitment to the fishing industry are being heavily frustrated. Photo: VINO
Mr Willis Luke Barry is well known on Virgin Gorda for growing gooseberry and for his skills in craft work. He said while he is also, to a lesser extent, growing some other fruits, ground provisions and vegetables, his passion and commitment to the fishing industry are being heavily frustrated. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, OBE said he is convinced that Government has been doing a lot in supporting farmers especially in the areas of providing water and fertilizers among other things. Here he is seen examining a breed of ducks in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr. the Hon. D. Orlando Smith, OBE said he is convinced that Government has been doing a lot in supporting farmers especially in the areas of providing water and fertilizers among other things. Here he is seen examining a breed of ducks in Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – Fishermen at Virgin Gorda are crying shame on the Government of the day who they claim are not doing enough to support local fishermen since they are allowing the importation of most of the fishes that they have been catching on a large scale.

Long time fisherman Willis Luke Barry, who is also well known on the island for growing gooseberry and for his skills in craftwork, said while he is also, to a lesser extent, growing some other fruits, ground provisions and vegetables, his passion and commitment to the fishing industry are being heavily frustrated.

Mr Barry said that they have been catching lots of fishes, including wahoos and tunas among others but yet the government has been importing the very fishes from the United States of America. “We are not getting the amount of sale because they are doing that. We are catching a lot of red snappers and others and sometimes you can’t get no sale for them,” he said.

Currently, according to the fisherman/farmer, the local fishermen are trying to have a fishing complex established, “…with the old post office but up to now we don’t know what’s going on."

Deputy Premier, Dr. the Honourable Kedrick Pickering has recently been elaborating quite a lot on plans to expand the agriculture sector at Virgin Gorda and across the Territory but the fishermen said not enough is not being done for the fishing industry.

“I am the first person to catch a lion fish in the BVI and you don’t even get five dollars to buy gas.” He also claimed he was among those who helped to cut the lion fish population in the waters of Anegada and West End, Tortola. “That was all in the papers and some kind of money were given but we never get it.”

Mr Barry also claimed that the UK had given some monies to monitor the lion fish but those who were the first to come into contact with them and have been catching the predator fish have never heard further about the allotted money.

Ban on fish gun not well received

More importantly is the issue surrounding "the banning of the fish gun", which he said is the only instrument that can be used to catch the lion fish. “Sometimes you can get close to them but you need the fish gun to shoot them but they trying to ban that’s so…”. According to Mr. Barry, the lion fish is on the increase in the Territory’s waters and for 2012 they managed to shoot in excess of two hundred. “So these cannot breed no more but what about the others?” he questioned.

Additionally he said that there are persons who are continuing to sell the guns despite the ban.

While at the recent Farmers’ Week activity at Virgin Gorda, Virgin Islands News online spoke with Premier, Dr the Honourable D Orlando Smith, who confirmed the ban on the use of the fishing gun. He sighted that the instrument poses several serious treats to life and limbs, which resulted in the decision.  

“Fishing guns can be very dangerous, we are a tourist destination and we have fishermen all over the place and therefore it is important that we have some control because there are some places where people shouldn’t use it. So I think we have to, while the ministry is developing a policy for spare-gun fishing, people would have to be patient.”

Asked if he was aware of reports that the guns are still being sold while there is a ban on its use, the Premier said, “I don’t know about that, what I know is that there is a hold on the use of fishing guns. It they are being used they’ll be in trouble.”

Premier Smith also said he was convinced Government has been doing a lot in supporting farmers especially in the areas of providing water and fertilizers among other things. “I just want to encourage them to continue, do whatever they have been doing successfully and Government will continue to give the support,” said the Premier.

“When it comes to Virgin Gorda we don’t get much from the Government, when it comes to fishing too,” said Mr Barry and noted that the fishing system is on the decline in Virgin Gorda because of the exodus of the older folks who have come off the scene because of their agility and age, “If we do not have the young people to take over we are going have a problem with the fishing system.”

Mr Barry did note, however, that a summer programme on fishing is held for youths in the area and that it usually pulls as much as one hundred children but there is a dire need for assistance to continue the programme. Being that the only fishing corporation is at Virgin Gorda, Mr. Barry is of the opinion that much more should be poured into the group from the level of the government. “The Premier himself is doing his best but there are some different things that are coming up that the fishermen need to get straightened up.”

11 Responses to “Popular VG fisherman wants more done for fishing industy”

  • virgin gorda (18/02/2013, 12:52) Like (10) Dislike (51) Reply
    What else is new with that get rich fast bunch in office?
  • mr fish (18/02/2013, 13:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well said barry a lot of lip service and personal agendas We the co -op will continue to run the summer programme as long as there are children in V G and they dont deport the president
  • . (18/02/2013, 13:39) Like (2) Dislike (22) Reply
    Mayson ayo aints see kedrick nah study ayo?
  • VG (18/02/2013, 19:06) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Local people on VG always trying to buy fish locally but the fishermen only want to sell their fish to the supermarket ad the hotels. Thank god for the fishermanman that comes from Tortola and sell by the fire station.


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