Gov't takes steps to preserve Pedro Cays

The Government is taking steps to dramatically reduce the number of fisherfolk now occupying the Pedro Cays.

Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke announced yesterday that only 380 fishing licences will be issued this year for fishing on the Cays.

This represents a significant decline from the estimated 600 licences during the conch season.

The agriculture minister said the decision was made because of a pile up of garbage, and a general poor state of sanitation on the Cays.

He said the drive will be supported by the marine police and the JDF coast guard.

The agriculture minister said the security forces assisted by two fisheries officers will be intensifying enforcement activities, to ensure that only people in possession of licences are allowed to remain on the Cays.

He also said the Health Ministry has been mandated to provide within two weeks, recommendations on the toilet facilities required to  support the number of licencees that will be allowed to stay on the Cays.

The agriculture minister reported that $2.4 million was allocated from the Fisheries Management Development Fund to undertake clean up of the Cays.

He said the National Solid Waste Management Authority has so far removed more than 1,500 bags of garbage from the area.

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