By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard has set up a forward command base in San Fernando to better deal with crimes against fishermen and marine life.
This announcement was made by National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds during a press conference on Friday.
His announcement came after two Carli Bay fishermen were killed and Couva South Member of Parliament Ravi Ratiram had called for stricter protection for those who ply their trade in the sea. Police arrested Ranjit Lakhan, 37 of Fullerton, Cedros and he has since been charged with murder. Investigations are still ongoing.
Hinds had met with Ratiram and others to discuss the issue.
He said, “ The Coast Guard set up a forward command base in San Fernando and put a vessel there with a view of being able to respond rather than come from Chaguaramas or wherever in the water they would have been to be able to react more swiftly for the fishermen’s plight or call in the southern and central area.”
Hinds said the fishermen were told training would be provided in the use of flares as an emergency sign to other vessels.
However, he lamented that fishermen were not being as cooperative as anticipated.
As I speak to you now, the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard has already unfortunately reported to me as Minister of National Security that not one single phone call, notwithstanding the email and the phone numbers and the cell numbers that were shared with the fishermen so they can call and say when they were about to go on a fishing expedition and where they would be so that we would position our vessel or vessels in the vicinity to make them safe while they do the business for Trinidad and Tobago and their family. Not one single call has come to the Coast Guard.”
He also said that he was informed by the Marine Unit that attempts were made to conduct training exercises with fishermen in groups but were unsuccessful.
He said one more attempt was made last Wednesday and he could not yet say if the training was conducted.
“Altogether, very unfortunate,” Hinds said.
He added, “We will continue to improve our border security issue.”
And he said only Thursday, expenditure was approved for certain pieces of equipment to assist border security protection efforts.
Deputy Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob who attended also asked for the public to work with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in the reduction of crime.
“The police service is making all the effort to deal with the prevention aspect and the only way to prevent things from happening is if we have that sort of co-operation with all our stakeholders,” he said.
Prisons Commissioner Dennis Pulchan was also in attendance.
