Food and Agriculture Minister Elias Jaua said that after trawl-fishing ban the authorities will seize 30 trawlers and donate them to Pescera de Alba, a joint venture with Cuba, for other uses. Even President Hugo Chavez said that the measure is an excellent recommendation as supporters, including a group of fishermen who use smaller boats, chanted their approval.
Venezuela has become the first country in Latin America to ban trawling in waters under its control. Chavenz told that this step hurts fisheries and small fishermen as seventy percent of the country’s fish are provided by small fishermen, while trawlers mostly catch shrimp for export. The government also signed a measure to buy and scrap trawlers deemed unfit for navigation. There were 248 trawlers operating in the country with 6,500 workers, the Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela.
It is said that ten boat-owners accepted a government offer for conversion to other types of fishing while the remaining 30 trawlers that meet maritime standards will be taken by the government. According to Chavez the government is making all effort to double or triple Venezuela’s consumption of fish because it is healthier than red meat.
