One of the important matters that the Anguilla delegation discussed in the margins of the just-ended Joint Ministerial Council meeting in London was the Government’s plans to develop the island’s fishing industry and improve or expand its marine protected parks and other areas. It appears that some of the positions taken by the Anguilla delegation ran counter to those of the UK Government. It is understood that the UK’s desire is that Anguilla and the other Overseas Territories should commit substantial portions of their ocean territories to marine protected areas as part of what is referred to as the ‘Blue Belt Initiative’.
It is a matter which the Anguilla Government says it is not comfortable with. This is understandable in that, while marine parks and other protected areas are important, Anguilla has a stated commitment to further explore and develop its fishing resources as a way to fuel the economy. This means the availability and usage of much of the island’s territorial waters. Of particular concern therefore, to the Anguilla Government and its people, must be the impact that the UK Government’s ‘Blue Belt Initiative’ could possibly have on Anguilla’s 200 nautical mile exclusive economic fishing zone extending to the north. This unexplored ocean territory is said to abound with multiple species of pelagic fish and whatever else may be lodging in the depths. Because Anguillian fisher folk have neither the expertise in deep-sea fishing (involving many days at sea) nor the trawlers and other equipment, the Japanese and Taiwanese are said to use the island’s far-reaching rich fishing zone as a money-making playground of exploitation. The tuna, wahoo, dolphin and other large fish they catch there, may be finding their way back to the Caribbean (if not to Anguilla itself) in cans and other methods of processing and preservation. This, in reality, is what Anguillian fishermen, aided by the Government, can undertake if they are willing to pursue what may be a lucrative venture.
Anguilla’s exclusive economic fishing zone is said to span a distance of 85,500 kilometres and is one of the largest and, perhaps, most advantageous, such zones in the Caribbean. The small and open Anguilla fishing boats which clutter Island Harbour Bay, for example, cannot venture that far. Perhaps due to a culture where each fisherman wants to own and profit from his tiny fishing vessel, there has never been a fishing cooperative whereby, instead of a multitude of little inadequate boats, there could be one or two deep-sea trawlers in operation. These small boats are said to only venture out to a distance of 35-40 miles including largely overfished areas.
The Anguilla delegation reportedly told the UK officials that the territory’s Government already has plans for the development of its 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone. Further, Anguilla is embarking on enabling legislation covering that area, and has already established a number of marine parks, and other protected areas, near the mainland of its own choosing in consultation with marine experts. There is certainly nothing wrong in being blunt, while respectable, in the interest of the future economic development of Anguilla and its people.
What is now left to be seen is just what plans the Anguilla Government has for the exploitation of the island’s vast span of northern ocean. At a recent meeting of the Anguilla House of Assembly, two Anguillian young men were complimented for their interest in exploring that zone – and consideration was given to granting them duty-free concessions to facilitate the importation of equipment to that end. Nothing more has been heard about that matter. It would be a most welcome opportunity to see a positive development of that initiative. Aside from this, there are reports that a foreign investor may have an interest in such a project and is likely to obtain approval but with certain controlling conditions. Whatever is the best way out, or plan, the sooner it is explored and implemented, the better it would be for improving the economic development of Anguilla.
In terms of legislation, the fishing industry in Anguilla is governed, so far, by the Fishing Protection Act 1986, the Fisheries Protection Ordinance 1988, the Marine Parks Act 2000 and the Conservation of the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2010. The Anguilla delegation to London spoke about legislation regarding the plan for the island’s exclusive economic fishing zone. It is something we should look forward to but, mostly importantly, the actual exploitation of the bounteous fishing zone. It would mean much for the strengthening of the tourism industry, the island’s food chain, and the overall development of Anguilla. In short, the island must pursue, as a matter of urgency, the development of its fisheries by utilising what is now simply a vast wasted and neglected ocean territory.
