A group of fishermen yesterday met with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha in the Upper Corentyne area, where they complained that they are being harassed on a daily basis by the Surinamese patrol in the Corentyne River.

For years Guyana’s fishers in the Corentyne area have been securing licences from Suriname to operate. However, they reported that even with the licences they are being harassed.

They identified a member of the Surinamese patrol by name and alleged that they have to pay him in the waters to continue fishing in the Corentyne River despite having their licences. “He does demand money and if you pay him you allowed to fish never mind if your licence expire or if not,” one of the fishers told the minister/

The men related that they would often fish in the Orealla and neighbouring areas.

“I will raise this matter with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that they can deal with it diplomatically. Minister [Hugh] Todd will raise this matter with his counterpart in Suriname so that we can resolve this issue,” Mustapha told the fishers.

He stressed that this has been an age-old issue and it is time the necessary discussion is had so as to resolve the situation. He further noted that there are ongoing discussions between Guyana and Suriname as it relates to several other issues affecting fisher folks.

According to the men, if the harassment continues they might be forced to quit their trade and over 200 persons would be affected by this.

Additionally, the men related, that about one month ago two boats were seized by the Suriname patrol and one person has since paid US$7,500 to get back his boat.

Stabroek News was told that the fishermen have to operate a certain distance away from the ferry but the patrol allowed them to for some time then seized their boats. “This become a money making thing with the patrol,” one man stressed.

Mustapha yesterday said that the matter would have to be discussed by government officials with their Surinamese counterparts.

The fishermen are requesting that efforts be made by government to see that they receive their own licences to fish in the Corentyne River.

The men also told Mustapha that an official from the Ministry of Agriculture had advised them to get Guyana’s licence but after spending the money to do so they were then correctly advised by others that this cannot be done to fish in the Suriname waters or connecting area.