No fish shortage/price hike says Minister Forde

Government and local fish processors are assuring the public that there won’t be any shortage of fish or hike in prices as a result of damage to the fishing boat fleet by Hurricane Beryl.

Minister of the Environment and National Beautification, Adrian Forde, who also has responsibility for the fisheries sector, made the announcement after a meeting today with fish processors at his office at Warrens, St. Michael.

There has been speculation that with more than 200 local fishing vessels having been damaged or destroyed during the passage of the hurricane, a fish shortage would result, leading to a rise in prices.

But Mr. Forde tells Starcom Network News that the event came toward the end of the fishing season when boats would have been taken out of the water for their annual repairs and maintenance in any case.

He adds that, during these periods, fish is imported to help meet local demand and that will happen in this case as well.