Conflicting reports on Venezuelan fishermen’s access to fishing grounds

The Venezuelan government states that cooperation with Suriname is entering a new phase, focusing on oil, gas, fisheries, agriculture, trade and training. President Delcy Rodríguez says Venezuela wants to share knowledge on oil and gas exploration, production and specialised training. The same statement also mentions Venezuelan fishing licences as part of the agreements between the two countries.

According to Rodríguez, fishers from the Venezuelan states of Nueva Esparta and Sucre should be able to benefit from the fisheries agreement. A Venezuelan state publication refers to approximately 200 fishers who would receive a licence to operate in an Atlantic corridor proposed by Suriname. Part of the catch, including grouper and snapper, could then be processed through Suriname or exported to, among others, the United States.

However, the exact meaning of that announcement is not yet fully clear. A later Venezuelan government report does not speak of 200 new licences, but of a fleet of 200 vessels and approximately 2,600 fishers that would be active in international waters under 45 licences issued in January. That difference is important, because a licence for a vessel is different from an individual licence for each fisher.

Venezuelan fishing licences require clarity

The official Surinamese reporting on Rodríguez’s visit confirms that fisheries are an important part of the new cooperation. President Jennifer Simons has described the fisheries agreement as an instrument for sustainable and responsible management of the sector. However, in the communication made public so far, the Surinamese government has not set out how many new licences will be issued, which vessels they apply to and in exactly which maritime area fishing will be permitted.

It is also important that the Venezuelan government reports that Minister Mike Noersalim of Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij (Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries) signed an instrument regulating fisheries cooperation together with his Venezuelan counterpart Juan Carlos Loyo. According to the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regulation of fisheries and aquaculture in the Atlantic Ocean forms part of the agreements made.

Without clear licensing details, it remains unclear who may fish where and under which Surinamese conditions.

Noersalim stressed the fight against illegal fishing

Minister Noersalim has emphasised combating illegal fishing since taking office. At the start of his term, he described this as one of the urgent problems within the sector. “Illegal fishing not only harms our maritime resources, but also threatens the livelihoods of many fishing families,” he stated at the time. Key News previously reported on the priorities Noersalim set for the fisheries sector.

That policy is also reflected in earlier announcements on fishing licences. LVV made clear at the beginning of 2026 that vessels would not be allowed to depart without a valid licence from March 1 and that licence holders must comply with the established conditions. Against that background, the new agreement with Venezuela raises the question of what legal status the mentioned Venezuelan fishing licences precisely have.

Difference between corridor and Surinamese waters

The term “Atlantic corridor” also requires further explanation. Venezuelan communication does not clearly indicate whether this refers to a defined area within Suriname’s exclusive economic zone, a route through international waters, or a combination of both. A later Venezuelan government statement explicitly refers to fishing in international waters, while earlier statements may create the impression that the licences provide access to a corridor made available by Suriname.

For Suriname’s fisheries sector, that distinction is essential. If Venezuelan vessels are permitted to fish in Surinamese waters, questions regarding licences, quotas, monitoring, landings and revenues are directly relevant. If the activities mainly take place outside Suriname’s exclusive economic zone and Suriname is primarily used for processing, transshipment or export, the legal and economic significance is different.

Cooperation extends beyond Venezuelan fishing licences

The agreements between Suriname and Venezuela also concern oil and gas. Venezuela has offered to share experience in exploration and production and to train Surinamese professionals. Rodríguez referred in this regard to the Venezuelan University of Hydrocarbons and technological platforms that also use artificial intelligence.

Agriculture and food security are also part of the cooperation. Both countries want to better align standards, exchange knowledge and cooperate in the field of animal genetics and food production. According to the governments, this could contribute to greater production capacity and more opportunities for regional trade for Suriname.

Questions remain about implementation of fisheries agreement

The key question for fisheries remains how many Venezuelan fishing licences are actually newly issued, to whom these licences are legally granted and where the holders are exactly permitted to fish. The public statements from Venezuela provide different figures and wording on this matter.

Greater transparency about the signed fisheries instrument, the 45 previously mentioned licences and the status of the 200 Venezuelan vessels or fishers can prevent uncertainty over access to Surinamese fishing grounds. Given Noersalim’s earlier emphasis on valid licences, monitoring and sustainable fisheries, it is particularly important that LVV further explains how the agreement will be implemented and what consequences it will have for local fishers.