The pelagic fisheries study, which includes an assessment of long line fishing in the Turks and Caicos Islands, has not yet started.
Long-line fishing is typically performed by trolling fishing lines that often exceed 25 miles in length and can be equipped with more than 500 individual fish hooks.
The negative impacts of this process has been well documented.
Opposition Leader, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, told the media that the fact that commercial entities will be leading the study, not scientists is a cause for concern.
At a press conference last Friday (June 21), she explained that the problem is the possibility that the study will be profit-driven, not science based.
The Opposition Leader pointed out that the fact also that the study will involve actual long-line fishing is another concern, as is the fact that the study will last for an entire two years.
“We do not support this in the TCI, the Government’s position on this is not clear,” Cartwright-Robinson said.
She added that the Opposition is looking at additional information, possibly a Terms of Reference (TOR).
Director of Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs (DEMA), Kathleen Wood, in an invited comment acknowledged the concerns.
She confirmed that the study will be advanced by commercial entities, however, stated that the evaluation of the results will be done by scientists.
Wood said: “There will be different kinds of techniques that will be used; it is a pelagic fisheries study so it is not only long-line fishing, but yes long-line fishing will be done as part of the study.”
She added that the focus is to assess the economic feasibility of the advancing development of different areas of fisheries.
“The stocks we have right now are stressed and this will assist in determining stock size that we have; it is pretty typical the way the information is gathered and the study itself may not last two years.
“If there is nothing there, they will not be out there for two years.The timeframe of two years is what is needed because the first year data will be collected, including information on migratory patterns, and the second year will be used to confirm that data,” Wood said.
The study was slated to begin in May, but was then delayed to June.
The DEMA director could not say whether or not the study will begin before the end of the month.
While the proposed study has created a stir, Wood maintained that it is not a policy endorsement, only a study.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) recently secured funding from a United Kingdom source that will allow for the study in the TCI’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Fisheries fall under the responsibilities of the elected Government, and further decisions on the subject falls to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Environment.
Turks & Caicos Weekly News