PM wants ganja farmers to look at fishing industry

From ganja farmer to tuna and king fish catcher – if this country’s Prime Minister has his way, this will soon be the story of many young men who once echoed the song of the popular Trinidad reggae artiste Marlon Asher: “Yes I am a ganja planter, call me a ganja farmer.”{{more}}

“There is an honest and decent way to earn a living,” declared Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, as he addressed the closing ceremony of the 2009 Fisherman’s Day Competition which was held at the Chamber of Commerce Car Park last Monday, June 1st.

Dr Gonsalves told the audience that the government is working hard at making the fishing industry more efficient and it is an industry that presents an opportunity for some who earned a living on the wrong side of the law to make a career change.

He said that training and financial assistance will be made available to the men who come “out of the hills” and want to make a change, whether it is in fishing or any other legal enterprise.

Addressing the topic on the heels of the just concluded two-week anti-crime initiative dubbed Vincy Pac, Dr Gonsalves said that it is important for those who decide to stay on the wrong side of the law to know that there is an “attendant risk” to a life of crime.

He used the opportunity to urge Vincentians not to purchase fish from people who walk around doing a brisk trade from buckets.

According to the Prime Minister, a large amount of money was spent to bring the Kingstown Fish Market to international standards, therefore people should not put their health at risk by purchasing fish that is sold in and around town in buckets.

“You don’t know the sanitary conditions in relation to that fish,” he said, adding that a serious risk of spoilage, and resulting sickness caused by bacteria is being run, and additionally, the practice is an unsightly one.

On July 9th, the National Investment Promotions Incorporated will be holding an investment forum, and those in the industry were encouraged by the Prime Minister to be a part of it so that they could benefit from the various aspects of the fishing industry, including knowledge in the production of “value-added fisheries products.” (KJ)