By Kisean Joseph
The Antigua and Barbuda Fisheries Division continues to enforce essential safety measures for fishing vessels.
Annual inspections and the use of mandatory safety equipment are required, and the division is actively addressing compliance challenges within the industry.
Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer Tricia Lovell outlined the division’s licensing requirements, which mandate annual vessel inspections focusing on safety equipment, seaworthiness, and health considerations.
“Any vessel that’s operationally sufficient in Antigua and Barbuda needs to be licensed by us,” Lovell said. “Our licenses are annual license[s]. The license period runs from January to December of each year. And in order to get a license, every vessel must be inspected.”
The division enforces different safety requirements based on vessel size, with all boats required to carry essential safety equipment. “The VHF radio, flares, life jackets, and First Aid equipment and sound-making devices; they’re all compulsory,” Lovell said.
Larger vessels face additional requirements. Those exceeding 27 feet must be equipped with lifebuoys and bilge pumps, while vessels over 40 feet must carry evacuation equipment. “For vessels that are 40 feet and over, we also require that they have some sort of buoyancy aid or dinghy that is capable of evacuating the crew if the vessel does come into distress,” Lovell added.
However, the division faces several challenges in enforcement. One major concern is ensuring all fishing operations comply with licensing requirements. “The fact that you need a license does not mean that you have everybody who is fishing compliant with the fisheries regulations,” Lovell said. “You may have illegal fishing operations that are happening, in which case there’s nobody checking to see whether or not the vessel has the required safety equipment.”
The division has also encountered issues with equipment sharing among vessel operators. “We have had in the past situations where persons may be sharing life jackets or sharing flares or flare guns,” Lovell revealed. “It’s not something we recommend. Every vessel should have its own life jacket.”
To enhance maritime safety, the division requires commercial fishers to undergo comprehensive training. “We have conducted a number of trainings in the past,” Lovell said. “This training includes things like navigation and safety. We also have done training on the kind of the regulations that would affect them so that they are aware of what the fishing laws are in relation to the fishing in Antigua and Barbuda’s waters.”
The training program, delivered in collaboration with partners including, Antigua and Barbuda Search and Rescue (ABSAR), covers various aspects of maritime operations, including first aid, engine maintenance, and local fishing regulations.
Despite these challenges, the Fisheries Division maintains its commitment to ensuring vessel safety through rigorous inspections. “We will not grant them a license if they don’t have all the necessary equipment on board,” Lovell emphasized, underlining the Division’s dedication to maintaining high safety standards in Antigua and Barbuda’s fishing industry.
