Fishermen Displaced from Traditional Landing Sites by Brent Simon
The displacement of indigenous fishermen in Antigua is part of a broader pattern seen in many coastal and island communities where traditional livelihoods are impacted by various economic, environmental and social factors. For generations, our local fishermen have relied on traditional access to landing sites and beaches to sustain their livelihood. As more coastal areas are developed for tourism and private properties, access to these critical areas is being restricted. Fishermen have found themselves unable to access the waters and coastal zones that once sustained their industry. They have to travel greater distances, face increased costs and might be forced to leave their occupations entirely.
Mr. Ian Horsford – Chief Fisheries Officer, in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Division has voiced his concern for this growing problem: “We have seen the devastating effects of such displacement in Jamaica, where fishermen have been forced out of the industry as hotels and private developments have monopolized access to beaches and coastal zones. We are beginning to see a similar situation here in Antigua and Barbuda.” He indicated that when fishermen lose access to their traditional fishing areas, they are forced to concentrate at fewer landing sites, which leads to overcrowding.
Overcrowded landing sites come with their own set of problems, including competition for limited space, delays in processing and selling catch, and increased wear and tear on the facilities. In addition, overcrowded sites often lack the necessary infrastructure to handle the growing number of fishermen and boats, which can lead to environmental degradation, such as pollution and damage to marine habitats. This overcrowding will also put more pressure fish stocks as more fishers would be targeting the same areas, resulting in further strain on our marine resources and the fishermen who rely on them.
Mr. Horsford gave an extensive list of landing sites from which fishermen have been entirely displaced or encounter significant hassle to access. Shell Beach, Beachcomber, Mamora Bay, Mill Reef, Emerald Cove, Jolly Harbour, Mosquito Cove and Valley Church, were mentioned as examples of this.
While acknowledging the benefits of the tourism industry to the economy, Mr. Hosford noted that we need to protect public access to coastal areas stating that, the relevant authorities need to ensure that fishermen retain unhindered access to traditional fishing areas and beaches, even as development progresses. This he said, should include clear and enforced guidelines for coastal development to prevent private interests from monopolizing public resources.
A better collaboration between the tourism and fishing industries is necessary. This way both industries can strive without displacing each other. A stronger legal framework is essential to protect the rights of not just fishermen but, the also rights of natives and citizens to access beaches, fishing areas and landing sites.
The Chief Fisheries Officer concluded that, “We are closely studying the situations in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries where fishermen have faced displacement, and we want to ensure that we do not repeat the same mistakes. We need to proactively address these issues, to protect our fishing industry and our cultural heritage.”
All citizens should support our fishermen as they and the relevant authority seek to protect their livelihoods. Let us ensure that Antigua and Barbuda remains a place where both tourism and our fishing traditions can coexist in harmony. It is vital that we all participate in this process, as the future of our coastline communities and our cultural legacy is at stake.