Government Information Service

by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service

The ground breaking ceremony for a modern fishing complex at Portsmouth was held on Wednesday 9th, December, 2009 close to the site of construction. The 7.5 million US dollar (US7.5 million) facility is funded by a grant from the Japanese Government.

According to Chief Fisheries Officer, Andrew Magloire, negotiations for the project took nine (9) years to complete. He went on to describe the project as a meaningful one to the fishing sector and to Portsmouth on a whole.

“We are about to witness the ground breaking ceremony of a project long awaited by the people of Portsmouth and Dominica. This project is very meaningful to the fisheries sector and in our thrust to transform this sector; the Government has sought to engage in a collaborative effort and requested the assistance of the Government of Japan towards the realisation of the improvement of the infrastructure base for the fisheries sector in Dominica.”

The Chief Fisheries Officer was in high praise and gratitude to the Government of Japan for the gesture of goodwill.

“We are here today to witness yet another gesture of goodwill on the part of the People and Government of Japan by openhandedly offering the donation of a grant in the tune of seven point five million US dollars (US$ 7 500 000.00) for the implementation of this very important project.”

According to Mr. Magloire, the Government of Dominica spent in excess of six hundred and eight thousand EC dollars (XCD$608 000.00) towards the removal of three wrecks that lay in the vicinity of the project site along with the clearing of the ruins on the site.

The project will entail:

• The construction of a jetty which will run in line with Pembroke Street to a distance of one hundred and twenty metres (120 M) out to sea. This jetty will contain the facility for the fuelling of vessels from the jetty.
• A slipway from which the fishers will be able to pull their boats up to the back where it will have a boat and net repair shed.
• A fuelling station so that fishers will no longer have to travel to great distances from the bay to be able to access fuel for them to go to sea.
• An administrative complex housing a fisheries centre for administrative office quarters
• A fish market so that fish will no longer have to be vended in the Portsmouth and surrounding areas in the manner that we traditionally do. The market will cater for the hygiene and aesthetic handling of fish, thus improving the level of output and services that can be provided.
• A processing area within which will house ice-making facilities which is very much needed especially in the times of glut where the fishermen in many instances have to either reduce his prices that are not profitable to him to save from the spoiling of fish and in many instances to throw away fish that because it has gone bad before he was able to sell it.
• Cold storage facilities to safeguard against spoilage
• An outboard mechanic workshop – a vital component allowing for the servicing of engines, hence safeguarding the safety of fishers at sea. The workshop will also provide the tools and equipment necessary for the repairs and servicing of engines.
• A locker room component of thirty-eight (38) lockers to provide space that the fishers will be able to store their fishing tackle, gas and other amenities.

Mr. Magloire said that the project, upon completion will add to the overall aesthetic enhancement of Portsmouth and will increase the opportunity for maximising profits from the catches made.

“This we will all attest will be one step further towards the development and transformation of the outlook of Portsmouth on a whole. The aesthetic beauty that this facility will bring to Portsmouth is just one of the many facets that we will cherish from such development...but this facility will give you the opportunity to optimise your potential and rather than go out to sea from five in the morning and return by two or three o’clock in the afternoon, you can now spend the additional hours and capitalise on the productive output by coming in by seven to eight in the night when the facility will be wide open and available to you to dispense your catch.”

The Chief Fisheries Officer stated that the benefits will not be derived unless the fishers of Portsmouth and surrounding areas realise their true role in it all.

“But this is not going to happen, ladies and gentlemen, if we the fishers in Portsmouth and the fisher folk from the sounding areas do not begin to recognise the critical role that we must play towards the overall management of this facility in order that we can benefit fully from its implementation.”

In his remarks, the Chief Fisheries Officer exhorted the fisher folk to draw from the experiences of that gained from the complex in Marigot and Roseau stating that is through these experiences can they truly maximise the benefits to be derived from the complex.

Masaharu Tokura from Tokura Corporation spoke briefly at the ceremony stating that they have over sixty-two (62) years experiences in the construction of fisheries centres and port projects all over the world.

The Honourable Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth Constituency, Ian Douglas encouraged residents of Portsmouth to rejoice as this has been something long promised and they have waited quite a while for this project to come to fruition. He went on to say that this piece of infrastructure is the first of many new pieces of infrastructure that will characterise the new and developed Portsmouth.

The Hon. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Matthew Walter, described the ground breaking ceremony as an important day in the development of fisheries for the people of Portsmouth and surrounding areas.

“Today marks a very important day in fisheries development for the people of Portsmouth, Tan Tan, Clifton, Toucarie, Capuchin, Bioche and Dublanc. The establishment of a modern fisheries facility in the town of Portsmouth will not only create an enabling environment for fishermen to conduct their fishing business but will also add tremendously to the ambience and aesthetics of the town of Portsmouth. The Government of Dominica is very grateful to the Government of Japan for this very welcome gesture of friendship and cooperation between our two countries.”

The Agriculture Minister went to say that the facility will help raise the quality of fishing in the area and has the potential of raising the commercial viability of fishing.

“This fisheries project will be expected to provide more than adequate facilities to the fisher folks which will enable them to produce high quality fisheries products to the public and even for export, more specifically. This facility will have the potential to provide quality fish products to institutions such as the medical school where a high value market exists.”

The Minister sees the project providing opportunities for fishermen to invest in larger vessels hence enabling them to modernise their fishing operations.

Mr. Kiyoshi Takeuchi, Japanese Consular to Dominica, said that the project will bring benefits both to the people of Portsmouth and Dominica alike.

“It was in the first half of 2009 that His Excellency, Ambassador Tatsuaki Iwata, signed the exchange of notes to signal the start of this project. This occasion brings us one step closer to the realisation of this project. This project will see the provision of several key facilities that will enable not only the fishing community in Portsmouth to benefit, but also the citizens of Portsmouth and Dominica. You will be able to enjoy better environment in which to purchase your seafood.”

According to the Japanese Consular, the facility will lead to increased landings, hence more seafood leading to the lowering of the country’s import bill. He went on further to congratulate the Government of Dominica in seeking such a project and explained why.

“On the part of the country on a whole, this increased landing will ensure that domestic seafood reduces the country’s food bill from imports. This is something that all Dominicans can be proud of. I applaud the Government of Dominica for seeking this project, the benefits of which can be enjoyed by all Dominicans.

As we look towards the future of fisheries in Dominica, we understand the level of potential of this industry to further expand and contribute to the development of Dominica. Offshore fishing resources are currently at under-utilised levels and it is through the proper sustainable management and harvest methods this bounty can be accessed and maintained. One benefit of this would be a decrease of exploitation of coastal resources although this is definitely a project which requires a great deal of research and technical facilities.”

Consular Takeuchi sees such partnership between Dominica and Japan as an avenue that can benefit Dominica tremendously.

“I believe the possibility of partnership between the Fisheries Division of Dominica and Japanese experts can generate a pool of capacity and skills which can see such a project come to fruition.”

In the meantime, Hon. Prime Minister of Dominica, in his address, expressed his deep gratitude to the Government of Japan for their financial support especially in a time of global economic crisis.

“I want to extend a special word of gratitude to the Government and People of Japan. Dominica and Japan have had a very long and fruitful relationship. Japan is a trusted ally of Dominica in its pursuit to its economic development and prosperity. Japan has stood besides us for many decades and in a time when the world is struck with a global crisis and recession, Japan continues to demonstrate is true friendship and commitment to the Government and people of Dominica.

Japan was not saved from the global crisis and could have easily said to us, “well you know things are bad across the world including Japan. We are unable to do this project in Portsmouth; can we put it off for a longer time?”

The Government of Japan did not only commit itself to ensure that this project come to fruition, it went as far as increasing the budget from five million US dollars (US$5 million) to seven point five million US dollars (US$7.5 million). So the Japanese has been true to its word at every turn and for this we will be eternally grateful to the Government and people of Japan.”

The project is expected to be completed in February of 2011.