Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados have begun the process of holding bilateral talks with the ultimate aim of arriving at a new fishing agreement.
So said Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne on Tuesday, in response to a question from UNC Senator Wade Mark in the Senate on what was being done to address the fishing disputes and growing tensions between the fisherfolk of both islands.
Browne said officials of T&T and Barbados were engaged in active bilateral talks during October and November 2023, with a view to resolving fishing disputes.
“Out of an abundance of concern for the noble intent behind those discussions, I would indicate that both countries agreed to collaborate in the conduct of an assessment of the fish stock, particularly the flying fish and associated species toward achieving a greater understanding of the factors affecting sustainability in the region.
“There was also an expressed desire by both sides to enter into a new fishing agreement in the future. There was also agreement for continued stakeholder consultations with the fisherfolk community, both in Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados in moving forward on this particular matter.
“The study that I referenced was discussed given the need for more data that would explore all the possible factors of affecting our fish stock and not just between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, but also the other islands of the Eastern Caribbean whose fish stock are also being affected and would include issues of Sargassum weed on the fish stock, for example.
“Such a study would also determine what levels of fishing could be deemed to be safe and make recommendations towards the preservation of same. It has been indicated during the talks that other states would be invited to participate in such a study, which is expected to be medium-term to multi-year study, but necessary in the Southern and Eastern Caribbean at this time,” Browne said.
Reducing tensions
Browne said participants at the joint meetings included , on the T&T side, officials of the ministries of Foreign and Caricom Affairs; Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; National Security, Tobago House of Assembly, including the Division of Food Security, Natural Resources, the Environment and Sustainable Development. He said there was similar representation on the Barbados side, adding that the fisherfolk from both countries also participated in these talks, and a representative of Caribbean Regional Fisheries mechanism CRFM participated in the talks as well.
Browne said at the end of those discussions a joint communique was issued.
Asked by Mark when the two governments would establish teams to begin discussions on the new agreement, Browne said in the interest of reducing tensions the two heads of government had discussions on this matter, and it was determined that these bilateral talks were the natural progression in reducing tensions. “I would say that to a large extent that has been achieved. Of course, this issue is live and can flare up again,” he said.
Asked by Mark to give a timeline on the conclusion of a new fishing agreement, Browne said a conclusive agreement would be based on proper data and an assessment of fish stocks. “There are discussions under way…and are essential. Otherwise we would be agreeing based on archaic data information and sometimes misconceptions.
“So the time-frame for negotiation and development of a final fishing agreement really is dependent on that study…Both parties are currently reviewing the now-expired 1990 agreement that is being viewed as a basis for the start of negotiations to possibly an interim agreement until this study is concluded.
“So discussions among stakeholders within Trinidad and Tobago and the update of that 1990 agreement are expected to take place over the next few months within our own jurisdiction, and similarly (discussions will take place) on the Barbados side.
“That’s where it stands. And I just want to reference once again, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries mechanism as a neutral regional body is playing an essential role in steering this (process) as well,” Browne said.
