New Fisheries Department hosts general meeting with South Caicos Fishing Community

#TurksandCaicos, August 9, 2021 – The Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources Management (FMRM) hosted two general meetings with fishing community on July 28 and 29th 2021 at the DECR Conference Room, Providenciales and District Commissioner’s office in South Caicos.

The meeting was called to introduce the management and staff and the role and purview of the newly formed department, particularly as it pertains to the members of the local fishing community; the opening of the lobster season and existing fisheries regulations.

Fisheries regulations regarding the lobster fishery were discussed for the reference of attending fishermen prior to the start of the 2021/2022 lobster season (August 2nd 2021). Reviews of the catch effort for both the lobster and conch fishery over the past few years were also provided to the community.

The meeting was well attended and participants were able to share an open forum with the department and discuss fisheries related matters that were of concern. Sea based search and rescue, fishing equipment, representation for the South Caicos community on the Fisheries Advisory Committee, and the need for the fishing community to get involved in the TCI Fisheries Cooperative, were all discussed at great length.

Deputy Director Henry Wilson expressed desires for the department to establish a good rapport with the local fishing community and for the department to work hand in hand with the fishing community moving forward.