Carli Bay fishermen protest after threats by gunmen

Carli Bay fishermen protested on Tuesday for increased security measures in the Gulf of Paria after they claimed they were threatened by masked men with guns when they attempted to fish in San Fernando.

One of the fishermen, who spoke with Newsday on the condition of anonymity, said the threats began on Monday when they went to fish near Kings Wharf in San Fernando.

“Yesterday, while we were out there, a boat approached us and the people on board said they had ‘orders from the top’ that we are not allowed to fish there.”

The fisherman said they ignored the men who eventually sped away while continuing to issue threats but did not return.

He said they went to the spot again at around 8 am on Tuesday but the men showed up again, this time armed with guns and wearing masks.

“We went back there thinking everything was fine but they showed up wearing masks and one was brandishing a gun. The other man had his hand in his waist as though he was holding a gun too. They told us we have to leave and threatened us again.”

He said they had encountered the same boat before while fishing in the area and had never had a disagreement with anyone aboard.

“We did try to contact the Coast Guard and let them know what was going on but we had no response. We had no response or back up out there. We are just getting bullied right through.”

Newsday was unable to verify with the Coast Guard whether any reports were made and what response was given.

Sources said the Coast Guard had a regular presence in the area while patrolling the Gulf of Paria and the south coast and incidents of that nature were very rare.

However, president of the Carli Bay Fisherfolk Association Imtiaz Khan said the fishermen faced a different reality.

“The fishermen cannot fish in TT waters any more. When we go to Port of Spain, we are being threatened and gunmen are running us. When we go to South we have gunmen running us again, so we are asking the question again…Where are we going to fish in TT waters?”

“We have tried to get the authorities’ attention as to what is taking place out at sea but nothing is happening.

“The price of gas, fishing gear and engines have gone up and, in spite of all that, we still can’t fish. So what are we to do?”

He said the fishermen were desperate as their lives and livelihoods were at stake.

“We had promises from National Security minister Fitzgerald Hinds that certain measures will be put in place but it feels like absolutely nothing has been put in place. When we met with him in 2021, he made a commitment that there will be a centralised Coast Guard base by Plipdeco port on a barge, so it will be easy for them to disperse from there.

"That never happened. They put the base by the yacht club in San Fernando and currently they don’t even have a vessel there.”

“Whenever we call for a vessel they apologise and say they could take your report but they don’t have a vessel to respond.”

However, the fisherman involved in Tuesday’s incident believed a Coast Guard patrol would not solve the problem.

“If the Coast Guard comes they aren’t going to be doing anything because those men will see the big boat from afar and they will just leave their guns at home, or stay home altogether. So we will be able to fish. The next day though, when the Coast Guard isn’t there, it will be the same (threats) again and we will have no backup.”

He suggested police and coast guard conduct undercover operations instead.

“They need to send some plain-clothes police out there on a boat with their guns and their badges so they could see what takes place. If they come with that law-enforcement vessel, the gunmen will stay inside.”

Member of Parliament for Couva North, Ravi Ratiram, issued a statement supporting the fisherfolk against what he described as the government’s “inaction in addressing the escalating crime targeting fisherfolk.”

Ratiram said a lack of support and protection has left fisherfolk around the country in distress.

He called for resources and the establishment of a Police Marine and Riverine Unit and a Coast Guard base at the Carli Bay Fishing Facilities.