LVV: No 200 new Venezuelan fishing boats in Surinamese waters

LVV issued the clarification following reports and concern in society about the recently concluded fisheries agreement between Suriname and Venezuela.

According to the ministry, the agreement concerns Venezuelan-flagged line-fishing vessels that have been active in Surinamese waters for decades. The vessels mainly fish for red snapper and mackerel.

The last agreement between the two countries dates from February 13, 2007, and was not renewed thereafter. According to LVV, the current arrangements must once again legally establish the existing fisheries relationship and adapt it to national and international requirements.

Surinamese licence remains mandatory

According to the ministry, the agreement does not grant the Venezuelan vessels free access to Surinamese waters. Each vessel must hold a Surinamese fishing licence and comply with the conditions established annually by Suriname.

Surinamese laws and regulations remain fully applicable. In the event of violations, fines may be imposed and licences may be suspended or revoked.

Suriname also retains the authority to take measures when monitoring or scientific research gives cause to do so. Those measures may concern licences, fishing areas, fishing seasons and other conditions for the management of fish stocks.

More control and monitoring

According to LVV, the update is specifically intended to make fisheries more controllable and transparent. The new framework provides, among other things, for monitoring through Vessel Monitoring Systems and Automatic Identification Systems, better known as VMS and AIS.

Inspections at sea and in ports, the deployment of observers and the exchange of information on vessels, catches and landings are also included. Furthermore, the system must help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, also known as IUU fishing.

Mandatory landing at CEVIHAS

The catches must be landed centrally at CEVIHAS N.V. or at another government or state port designated by the LVV minister. The vessels and their catches must be inspected and processed there.

According to the ministry, the fishing vessels use berths, ice, utilities and other services provided by CEVIHAS. This must generate revenue for the parastatal company.

After landing, the catches are transported to Surinamese processing companies. LVV states that several companies depend on this supply for their operations, employment and export activities.

Exports and international obligations

The ministry says an up-to-date legal basis is necessary because of international rules concerning IUU fishing. In discussions with the European Commission, attention was reportedly drawn to the need to properly regulate and effectively control the activities of Venezuelan fishing vessels in Surinamese waters.

Without an up-to-date agreement, according to LVV, there is a risk that the fisheries sector will be considered insufficiently regulated internationally.

According to the ministry, the arrangements are also important for restoring exports of the relevant fish products to the United States. International buyers are imposing increasingly strict requirements on the legality, origin and traceability of fish products.

LVV emphasises that Suriname remains responsible for the management of its own fish stocks. The Venezuelan vessels must comply with the conditions set by Suriname for licensing, sustainability, monitoring and enforcement.

According to the ministry, the aim of the agreement is to create greater legal clarity and control while at the same time safeguarding the economic chain surrounding CEVIHAS, fish-processing companies, employment and exports.