The Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources is ending the year on a high note, with a number of successful projects and initiatives with which it undertook to assist staff and members of the public.
The Department carried out a project entitled ‘An investigation of the health of parrotfish nearshore coral reef habitats, parrotfish landings and population densities to inform management decisions. This study was funded by CARSPAW to the tune of EURO 7,000.
The Fisheries Department is inviting all fisher folk, and other interested members of the public, to a presentation and video launch about parrotfish and the importance of our coral reefs on Monday 28 December at 2 pm at the Agriculture Unit conference room.
The Unit was also successful in securing a project funded at EURO 11,190 from another French Government agency AGOA and CARIMAM. The objective of this project is to monitor the types, populations and movements of marine mammals in the waters of Anguilla. This project is expected to begin on 18 December 2020.
On November 25th, the Department held an important session on prudent financial management during this COVID 19 pandemic for the fishers.
This was conducted by Chief Executive Officer of the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla, Ms. Sharmaine Francois. Unfortunately, none of the fisher’s attended and staff from the Fisheries and Agriculture Units took advantage of the opportunity and were fully engaged in the session.
During the month of November to mid-December, the Department held over 15 outreach sessions on various topics on the marine environment, one of them being the importance of obtaining a quality education to be a successful fisher. The presentations were made to preschool, primary and high school students by the Fisheries Unit in collaboration with the Anguilla National Trust and local fishers.
From 30th November to 4th December, former Police Officer from the Marine Unit of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, Charles Webster, conducted a condensed session on basic seamanship for staff at the Fisheries Unit.
The Department has sought the expertise of Mr. Webster on previous occasions to conduct similar training with staff. The course teaches navigation and rules of the road, safe operations of vessels and other concepts that are essential to seafaring.
The Fisheries Unit would like to thank the Education Department, the Anguilla National Trust, the National Bank of Anguilla, Mr. Charles Webster, Mr. Rickielle Hodge of Pink Mako, all fisherfolk and everyone else who assisted the Unit in achieving its outreach efforts and capacity building goals.
The Fisheries Department wishes the public a very Merry Christmas and looks forward to building a bright and prosperous marine environment with you in the New Year!
