2022 will see a change being made in the way Tourism and seafood practitioners in St. Vincent and the Grenadines coexist; this is according to Minister of Finance Camillo Gonsalves during the 2022 budget debate.
“Within the context of our recently approved national ocean policy and our coastal and marine spatial plan, the fisheries department has been carefully studying the delicate balance between underutilized fishing locales and the sailing routes of yachts, speedboats and other pleasure craft, particularly on the leeward coast.” The Minister said.
Minister Gonsalves then goes on to provide an example of one of the issues that created the need for this change.
“For example, passing boats can often inadvertently cut lines, making it impossible for fisherfolk to retrieve lobster pots” he said.
The Finance Minister made mention of pilot initiatives that will facilitate the change.
“The 2022 budget year will see the launch of pilot initiatives to recalibrate the ways in which our tourism and seafood practitioners coexist in our shared maritime space.” Minister Gonsalves said.
