By Zena Henry Local fishermen are breathing easier now that they have heard from the Agriculture Minister himself, that no fishing licences have been granted? to interested Chinese nationals seeking to ply their trade in Guyana’s waters.Agriculture Minister Leslie RamsammyThe operators have also been calmed with respect to the tough licence-granting process detailed by the Minister and the setting up of a Commission to oversee the affairs of proposed deep water fishing.In what some termed as a “long overdue” meeting with fishing stakeholders, Minister Ramsammy informed attendees on Monday last,http://www.soccerpro.us.com/Atletico-Madrid-FC/, that the Chinese nationals had merely requested permission for them to start fishing in Guyana, while expressing interest in establishing a processing plant.Ramsammy related that no licences have been granted and none will be granted without the proper consideration and examination. The Minister said that the Chinese expressed interest in working here,Jerseys Cheap, but were asked by the government to provide a formal proposal on the species of fish to be caught and the gear that would be used, since this has not been done.The Minister also proposed that a Committee of stakeholders be convened to examine the proposal by the Chinese, if submitted. Ramsammy went on to say that his Ministry will not be giving any licences to Chinese to fish in grounds and to catch stocks already being sourced by local fishermen.The meeting, which was held at the Fisheries Boardroom,Cheap Jerseys, Vlissengen Road, saw the presence of President of the Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) Leslie Ramalho and his team, who raised concerns about the procedures for engaging in deep water fishing, specifically in relation to international requirements.The Minister clarified that since nothing formal is on the table, the issue remains for the Chinese to come forth with their proposal, while he reminded that it is not new that requests are being made to study and tap into unexplored resources.In a telephone interview with this newspaper yesterday Ramsammy said that he explained the normal position of inquiry is that any investor, whether local or foreign, must meet the conditions in terms of presentation of proposals.He said that the Chinese will be conducting their own research and presenting their proposals to the government based on what they found. In other words,Cheap Jerseys China, “the Chinese can consider the species of fish they want by going out there or by desktop research,” the Minister said.Ramsammy pointed out that studies have been done before in the country, so the Chinese could follow up on that or source out the species of fish they want to catch and their grounds,Cheap NFL Jerseys China, to make ready the proposal, also detailing gear and other relevant information.GATOSP President Leslie Ramalho has noted that they are riding on the word of the Minister that no plans are afoot to grant the Chinese any licences without taking the necessary steps,Cheap Authentic Jerseys, which include the input of stakeholders. He said that the “nerves” of those in the local industry have to some extent been soothed, but they are still awaiting any moves by the Chinese to submit their proposal and then the subsequent establishment of the stakeholders’ Commission.GATOSP President Leslie RamalhoWhen asked, Ramalho answered with uncertainty about the mechanism under which the Chinese are allowed to conduct a physical species study without permission or the accompaniment of Agriculture officials. While concerns were raised initially about monitoring the fishing activities of the Chinese, if realized, the current non-monitoring of “research at sea” leaves the mind to wonder, he indicated.Ramalho said he is unaware of the availability of research information pertaining to Guyanese deep-water fishing and opined that if this information was in existence, then Guyana would have already gone to the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and obtained a quota. He emphasized that locals would have already expressed an interest in that area.ICCAT is a 1966 Convention that, “aims to cooperate in maintaining the populations of tuna and tuna-like fish found in the Atlantic Ocean at levels which permit the maximum sustainable catch for food and other purposes through the creation of the ICCAT.”