It’s Fisherman’s Birthday today and the Nation’s fisher folk were in a state of merriment, with the occasion officially declared open with the blessing of boats this morning.
St. Peter’s Day, as it’s otherwise biblically known, gives great recognition and attention to the life of a fisherman.
It’s a reflection of the work such daily sea-farers, the main operators in the Fishing sector, have to endure.
Fisheries Minister, Adrian Thomas, addressing the opening of activities in Gouyave, St. John, noted that the number of units in the sector has expanded over the past 2 decades from 601 to 990 vessels.
He says during the same period, the number of fishermen increased by 75%, from 2,600 to 4,525.
Senator Thomas sees the sector representing 12% of the labour force here.
Thomas spoke of the influx of sargassum seaweed that continues to clog coastal areas as another impediment disrupting fishing activities.
