Fisherfolk celebrate cash grant amid challenges at sea

For many fisherfolk across Guyana, the announcement by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali that each fisher will receive a $150,000 cash grant, along with tax relief on fuel, seines, and other essential fishing materials, has come as a welcome relief amid challenging times at sea.

The initiative, aimed at easing financial pressures within the fishing industry, has been met with widespread appreciation, particularly among those struggling with declining catches.

When Ignite News visited the Rosignol Fisheries in Region Five, several fishermen described the support as timely and much needed.

“Well we happy to get the money, yes, because right now no fish ain’t catching. It’s a hard time now for fishermen, and sometimes you go out and ain’t make a money to carry to your family, but you still have to try. So we happy if the President do that for we — we happy for that,” said Deonand Victor, who has been in the fishing industry for over 22 years.

Similarly, 25-year-old Aktar Subhan, who has spent the past decade in the trade, said the initiative acknowledges the real challenges faced by fisherfolk.

“I think it is a good idea. Fishermen do face challenges in many ways — climate change, where we go out and don’t get to cover our expense. Sometimes we catch, sometimes we don’t; it’s not an everyday thing. So I think it’s a good idea the cash grant paying. We glad to get it before Christmas,” Subhan said.

Veteran Captain Vicky Ramdeen, with 18 years in the industry, also commended the move, highlighting how recent weather patterns have worsened conditions at sea.

“I think it will benefit we a lot because the fish decline right now due to the storm that passed the other day. We ain’t catching back fish like we used to,” Ramdeen said.

Another fisherman, Tajeram Itwaru, shared similar sentiments, underscoring the difficulties of the current season.

“We got to say it’s nice because nothing not going on for fisherman right now, and the fish not giving push. So if he doing something, we really thankful for that,” Itwaru said.

President Ali officially announced the measures on Wednesday, describing the cash grant as an incentive and subsidy from the government.

“We’re going to give $150,000 to every fisherfolk out there to help them as an incentive and subsidy from the government,” he said.

The cash grant and tax relief measures form part of the administration’s broader strategy to support Guyana’s productive sectors. The government has also invested in upgrading landing and processing facilities, providing training, and promoting sustainable and climate-resilient fishing practices.