Updated legislation for the management of the fishing industry is on its way.
The confirmation comes from the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ravi Ratiram, who says the current legislation is outdated.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with TTT News, he said the Ministry has completed its work on updating the Fisheries Management Bill.
“At the Ministry, we would have completed all the drafting, the stakeholder consultation when it comes to our Fishery Management Bill. We have a Fisheries Management Bill in this country that is over 100 years old, and international agencies, they look down on us.”
The Minister anticipates that the legislation will be taken to Cabinet soon.
“It is before CPC at this point in time, and very soon it should be at the Cabinet and will be laid in Parliament.”
Minister Ratiram hopes that the Bill will receive the necessary support in the Parliament.
“It is something that really, all stakeholders, whether it is government, opposition, fishing associations, cooperatives, Tobago House of Assembly, all stakeholders, their comments were taking into consideration and that is the legislation that we have in front of us right now. So I’m looking forward to the support of the opposition on the Fisheries Management Bill as we go forward.”
Minister Ratiram noted that this update to the Fisheries Management Bill aims to modernise the outdated 1916 Fisheries Act to ensure sustainable, long-term management of marine resources.
Key features of the Bill include regulating all fishing activities and enforcing penalties for illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.