The Spanish Town Jamboree is an annual event in Virgin Gorda that attracts sports fishermen from the United States, St. Martin, St. Thomas, St. Barths and locally. Photo:Hezikiah Maddox/VGFC

Speaking on NDP Radio on Monday May 1, 2011, Dr. Pickering said the industry presents a lot of opportunities for VIslanders to capitalise on. “I see a bright future for sport fishing, a bright future for our local fishermen who are interested in deep sea fishing but also there is so much opportunity for young BV Islanders to make a career out of it.”

Dr. Pickering added that Marlin fishing is a big aspect of sports fishing and an added incentive for the industry here is that the fishing grounds are closer to the islands which would require less fuel to get there.

It was also said on the programme that there was no question about the quantity of the fishing banks in the Virgin Islands and that North Drop, which is a popular destination for Marlin fishing, is internationally recognised.

It was also noted too that the sport fishing industry in St. Thomas turns over some 200 million dollars a year.

“It is an area of our tourism industry that we need to really pay attention to and not just encouraging from the point of those who participate but those of our local people who can benefit from it in a direct way by being able to provide themselves and family with a source of income and a way to make a living,” Dr. Pickering said. “A few of the businesses on Virgin Gorda and on the East end of Tortola are looking into that but we have to make sure that locals who are interested in fishing can understand where the opportunities lie. I think that is where our responsibility really lies.”

Opposition Leader Dr. D. Orlando Smith said some work was done in that area several years ago when the NDP was in office. “We recognised that it is an industry that would bring money into the treasury but more importantly the employment of the young people.”