By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) should have more sea patrols as more fishermen are being attacked at sea.
This is the call from Fishermen and Friends of the Sea (FFOS) as well as Member of Parliament for Couva North Ravi Ratiram.
On Wednesday, the body of a Carli Bay fisherman Parasram Boodoo was found in a fishing net near the port at Plipdeco Pt Lisas. His body was identified by family members at at the Forensic Centre in St James. The autopsy is scheduled for Monday.
The search continues for Navindra Garib who went out to sea on Monday afternoon and is still missing.
It was the body of one of the two fishermen who went missing since Monday.
After Boodoo aka “Brain” went missing his vessel and engine were found in Granville.
Thursday also marked two years since seven of Couva’s fishermen were killed at sea.
In an unrelated incident on Tuesday, Hemraj Maharaj of Suchit Trace Penal, was swept away by currents while trying to save a fellow fisherman who was in difficulty near the Caroni River in the Gulf of Paria.
FFOS asked mariners to be on the lookout for him.
And AZPNews.com was told that many fishermen at King’s Wharf in San Fernando were afraid to venture out into the sea due to a spike in criminal activities.
On Wednesday, Ratiram in a press release stated, “We cannot allow any more lives to be lost and we are calling for immediate action on this matter.”
He continued his call to the Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, to establish a Coast Guard Base at the Carli Bay Fishing Facility “as a matter of extreme urgency and priority.”
Fuel was supplied to fishermen to aid in the search by Ratiram along with the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation.
FFOS also urged fishermen to be extremely cautious when venturing out to work.
FFOS stated, “FFOS are urging fishermen to always take precautions when going out on fishing expeditions, ensure that you can swim, always wear your life vests and be ready to flee from the murderous pirates who are roaming unencumbered. The Coast Guard continues to fail to protect our fishers, so we must do all that is possible to ensure our own safety.”
And San Fernando Mayor Junia Regrello told AZPNews.com that while issues at sea needed intervention from the higher authorities, he would be willing to assist in any way he can.
“The fishermen provide an essential service to San Fernando and we will do whatever we can to assist,” Regrello said.
He said he was not aware of particular issues at King’s Wharf and added that each fishing facility would be handled differently.
“It’s not a one size fits all across the board,” he said.
Anyone with information on the missing fishermen can contact the Coast Guard at 634- 1476/ 224- 0324/ 800-0777 or the TTPS Coastal and Riverine Unit at 773-9664 or the nearest police station.
