Fisherman’s Birthday 2021

 

29 JUNE 2021, ST GEORGE’S: Today we celebrate Fisherman’s Birthday in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. As the Senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, I wish everyone an enjoyable celebration. I want to applaud the efforts of fishermen, the fishing industry, and seamoss farmers, contributing to this economy as the number one agriculture export. We need to pay full homage and full recognition this so truly deserves. 

I recognise the hard work of those who have gone before; those who have passed and who were lost at sea; the ailing; the elderly; those who have retired, and of course, their families. I recognise the youth and the women who keep taking the trade up. I recognise the vendors involved in selling the fish and the various persons in the supply chain, and needed inputs. I recognise the government for its infrastructure, ice machines, lights and other pending and forthcoming infrastructure, as well as the hardworking staff, the Minister and PS for their continued support; our coast guard, for ensuring they are the first line of response to reduce for loses at sea. 

As we move forward with our fishing industry, I want to see that we can improve our training and have more training available for our fisherfolks. We can build our infrastructure so we can consume more of our fish, have more value-added, export more, and bring income to our country. We have challenges in freight and increases in operating costs, but at the same time, we are working together and with the government to improve these conditions. So we must not be daunted. We have reached very far. 

As the senator for Agriculture and Fisheries, I am with you working towards the change we all want to see for this country and this industry, the opportunities that exist before us within the blue economy, and how we can lay a strong foundation for the future. I wish all the organisations well. But, remember, it is a period of Covid, so we need to follow all the protocols and standards within this time to combat and fight this deadly virus. 

I look forward to your as we go through this challenging period, remembering that a united people with one purpose can achieve great things. Happy Fisherman’s Birthday!