– says with Govt’s intervention incidents dropped 85%Berbice fishing officials are refuting an article in the Monday edition of Guyana Times which they say gave the impression that Government’s legislation on piracy and fishing is not working.The article under the headline – “Pirates continue to wreak havoc- Fishermen say new legislation means nothing”- has since evoked a response from the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture.According to Chairman of the Upper Corentyne Fishermen Cooperative, Pravinchandra Deodat, he never made any statement to the new newspaper. Rather, on Sunday evening, he was called and asked his name and designation with the co-operative.To his amazement, on Monday,NFL Jerseys Supply, an article appeared in the newspaper quoting him extensively.“We have an excellent relationship with the government, especially as our co-operative was the one that lobbied heavily to make piracy non-bailable. Further, the Ministry of Agriculture has been making significant contributions to the industry,” Deodat said yesterday.Additionally, the Ministry had lobbied successfully for firearm licences to be granted to the fishermen,NFL Jerseys Supply, something that has been fought for over the years.With the intervention of government also, piracy which was up to crisis level last year, has dropped by 85 per cent with only isolated incidents.“We are of course concerned with this report which is totally untrue,” the official said. Accompanying him was Secretary of the co-operative, Bhawase Harripaul.Meanwhile, the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Agriculture said it is disappointed that the Guyana Times did not seek a comment from them in an effort to ensure that both sides of the issue were examined.“Understanding the genesis of the Piracy and Hijacking Bill would have been useful for your readers to have a balanced view of the grave problem of piracy,” a statement said Tuesday.The need for tougher Piracy Legislation resulted from the numerous interactions with fishermen across the country over the past several months, and in response to the assaults, beatings,Wholesale Jerseys, hijacking of vessels and murder of fishers for decades,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, the department explained.“This Law will ensure stringent penalties for those found guilty of the above-stated,Cheap Jerseys From China Online, heinous activities. The drafting of the Bill was a consolidated effort by the Ministries of Agriculture, Home Affairs, Attorney General Chambers and representatives of the fishing sector.”Further, the Fisheries Department said, Guyana Times neglected to include the objectives of the Bill,Cheap Football Jerseys, which seeks to provide legal protection for fishermen and their investments.“This certainly is a piece of news writing which neglected certain basic journalistic principles. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture provided a 75 horsepower outboard engine and vessel to support the Berbice Anti Piracy Committee to conduct patrols and respond to reports of hijacking in collaboration with the Coast Guard and the Guyana Police Force. A similar donation was made to fisherfolk on the Essequibo.”Arguing that it is playing a key role, the department reminded that Cabinet provided the sum of $15 million to the Guyana Defence Force to aid anti-piracy activities to establish a communication network for use by fishers to facilitate rapid reporting of and response to piracy attacks.“In addition, the Guyana Defence Force, through the Guyana Coast Guard, has implemented regular patrols in the worst affected area, Region Six. Furthermore, the Fisheries Advisory Committee continues to monitor the situation and will coordinate future action.”Along with this, the Ministry of Agriculture has also launched the Anti Piracy Revolving Fund to assist fishers in getting back on their feet after a piracy attack.“For your information, only one fisher has subscribed to the fund. We do hope other fisher folks will join this programme.Consequently, even a brief examination of the government’s efforts would result in the widespread acceptance that the Ministry has employed a wide range of measures, so as to safeguard the life and property of fishers as they conduct their livelihood.”