Pedro Cays fisherfolk urged to leave as storm approaches

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Fisherfolk on the Pedro Cays have been urged by South West St Elizabeth Member of Parliament Hugh Buchanan to return in land as Tropical Storm Sandy heads towards the country.

Buchanan said today that fishermen and women on the Cays should make proper preparation to evacuate immediately.

His call comes amid what appears to be the nonchalant attitude of some fisherfolk on the Cays to respond to the storm warning.

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Late yesterday evening, a fisherman known as Mullo who was on the Pedro Cays, told The Gleaner that he has not seen any sign of preparation by his colleagues to return to the mainland.

"I don't see anybody a mek nuh move yet but dem on the alert still," told The Gleaner.

The Office of Disaster Prepardness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) yesterday warned marine interests that they would experience winds primarily out of the east and becoming southerly by today and they must move swiftly to secure their properties.

"Fishers on the cays and banks are strongly advised to evacuate immediately and start returning to the mainland. Other small craft operators in our coastal waters are advised to return to port and small craft operators who are in port are advised not to venture out," the ODPEM advised.

However, Mullo said the fisherfolk normally move at the "last minute", which he acknowledged, was risky.

"If you wait till the last minute now like tomorrow, dem would a mek up dem mind now who a come. You see who nah come dem just batten down," he explained.

daraine.luton@gleanerjm.com

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