The All-Tobago Fishermen Association (ATFA) says the industry is on the brink of collapse after a series of financial setbacks for members.
Speaking at a media conference on the Scarborough Esplanade on Thursday, ATFA president Curtis Douglas questioned if the security firm hired to guard their vessels had any part to play in the thefts. He said since the firm has been hired, four boats and eight engines had been stolen.
“When you entrust an organisation to safeguard what is yours, and not even six feet from where the security is sleeping, is lying, is playing pansy, bandit is coming in where there is lights, with their tools, and their drills, and take off, and pong off, and lift off, and drive off with the belongings of the fisherfolk,” Douglas said, noting thieves seem able to engage in the sometimes noisy process of illegally removing the boat engines by force, undetected by the on-site security guards.
The association also accused the guards of threatening fishermen who agitate.
ATFA demanded that those who stole the boats and engines replace them by November or face litigation.
Guardian Media reached out to the security firm contracted to guard the fishing depots and equipment on the allegations but got no response.
The association called on the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) to at least compensate them 80 per cent of their losses. It said fishermen will put in the remaining 20 per cent.
However, theft is not the only thing affecting the fishermen.
Douglas also claimed that the Tobago fishermen, who were part of the initial clean-up effects after the Gulfstream barge leaked oil off Cove Beach, have not been paid for their service.
“All the Trinidad contractors have been paid! Why it is the first responders for Tobago, who would have make sure that we secure our environment and mitigate the hydrocarbon from destroying the island has not been paid?” Douglas asked.
He not only questioned the actions of the Chief Administrator, who has to disburse the funds, but also asked if the delay in payment was a form of victimisation because he has been critical of the current THA administration.
Government approved supplemental funding of $50 million in June for the clean-up. Those funds were received by the THA on July 17. Douglas is calling for an audit into how the funds have actually been disbursed, since none of ATFA’s members have been paid.
The financial burdens have been weighing heavily on the fishermen.
Elvis Bob’s engine was stolen in Black Rock on Great Race Day (August 17). He said he reported the theft to the police but there has been no response. He said he used to work for government but left to focus on fishing and did not expect to be struggling financially.
Through tears, he admitted that he could only afford to send two of his children to school.
“I get this work for my living after I resign to see about my family, you know? It hurt me very much to know I have to be going through that.” He is also owed money for aiding in the Cove clean-up.
Darren Douglas’ engine was stolen the same day as Bob’s. He reported the matter to the police, the Fisheries Department within the Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development and to the security firm. He claimed no one provided him with an update.
Contacted on the claims, Assistant Secretary in the Division of Food Security, Nigel Taitt, said fishermen are encouraged to report theft of their equipment to the police. However, he said the director of the division is responsible for managing the security firm and he could not comment on that issue.
Taitt said a committee was formed to treat with the oil spill and they meet regularly. He advised ATFA to engage with them to track the progress of their payments.
