| Fisherfolk and regulators alike are contemplating the establishment of a special squad to fight the incidence of piracy.A key meeting on Wednesday between government and a special stakeholders’ body, in making several recommendations, also expressed alarm over the recent escape of a convicted pirate, Kevin ‘Long Hair’ Narine, who has been accused of terrorising and robbing the fishermen in especially the Berbice/Suriname areas over the past years.Narine and three others, among them convicted murderers described as dangerous,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, escaped from the New Amsterdam Prison early Saturday morning.During a specially summoned meeting by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, withthe Fisheries Advisory Committee,Wholesale China Jerseys, it was decided that boat engines which are a big target for pirates be colour-coded to identify a particular area and association it may belong to.This is to ensure traceability of fish products and equipment such as engines, the Ministry disclosed yesterday.The Fisheries Advisory Committee is made up of stakeholders from the fishing cooperatives, the Coast Guard, Police,Cheap NBA Jerseys China, Maritime Administration,Wholesale NFL Jerseys Authentic, Foreign Affairs,wholesale jerseys china, Attorney General’s Chambers, University of Guyana, Private Trawlers Association and the Ministry of Agriculture.It was further suggested that as a precaution to allow for easier identification, the boats at the time of registration should have their engine number stamped on. Pirates have been finding it easy to remove or file away the serial number.“It was also suggested that the Coast Guard should intensify their patrols and it was observed that certain times of the year piracy tends to increase so these trends should be noted and extra patrols be done in this period. Other recommendations include identification cards for fishermen, the use of radios and enforcement so as to ensure fishermen are licensed,” the Ministry noted.Regarding the formation of a special squad to probe pirate attacks, the body said that it wouldinclude the Coast Guard, police and the prosecutors, who would dedicate their time to investigative work, which would lead to the capture and successful conviction of persons involved in piracy incidents.“It was noted too many persons caught in piracy are allowed to be bailed or set free, where they return to intimidate the fishers or the persons thought to be involved in their capture and even return to piracy.”With many reported instances of pirates fleeing to neighbouring Suriname after attacks, and vice versa, the Committee also called for a closer collaboration with neighbours, including Suriname, to improve the communications.“This would create a communication network in the event of a piracy attack which would lead to more patrols being activated in the event it has cross border issues.”The intimidation of victims by pirates was also another critical aspect discussed.“It was noted that once persons see that pirates are caught and sent to prison, they would feel comfortable to assist the law in helping to capture them, as it is now the pirates released on bail or freed most times threaten the fisherfolk and return to their unlawful activities.”According to the Ministry, while is it difficult to totally stamp out piracy, the recommendations can reduce the incidences.“During the discussions, it was agreed that certain aspects of piracy lead to the difficulty in curbing this offence, such as the fact that most of the attacks are done by persons suspected to be close in the fishing community, the decision to release these perpetrators after being caught due to lack of knowledgeable prosecutors and law enforcement agents with regards to the Hijacking and Piracy Act 2008.”Investigations have found that in most cases,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, the engines and fish stolen from the fishermen are sold, which means that there are buyers. This,Wholesale NFL Jerseys Online, the Ministry said, also means that there are persons in the fishing industry who are willing to facilitate the crime by knowingly buying the stolen items. |
