A PERFORMANCE audit of the Fisheries Division in the Ministry of Agriculture has pointed to a lukewarm response from the division to widespread disregard by registered fishers for the laws governing the industry.
A report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday last week by the Auditor General's Department, showed that of the approximately 17,552 registered fishers in May 2008, only 1,928 were licensed. This means that the rate of non-compliance is 89 per cent.
Fishing Industry Act violated
Owners of fishing vessels also violate the Fishing Industry Act and its regulations. The auditor general's report said that 4,532 of the 4,719 registered vessels did not have a licence to operate. This represents a 96 per cent non-compliance rate.
Under the Fishing Industry Act, owners of vessels and fishers must be registered and licensed in order to engage in any form of fishing activity.
A person operating without a fishing licence could be fined up to $1,000 or sentenced to 12 months in prison. The use of an unlicensed boat attracts a fine not exceeding $200 or six months in prison.
The Auditor General's Department recommended that all fishers and boats be licensed and swift action taken against those who infringe the law.
It also proposed that the Government move speedily to pass the revised Fishing Industry Act.
In its response, the regulatory body said fishers ignored the licensing requirement due to the low level of sanctions under the existing law and infrequent enforcement activities by officials.
The management of the division said the proposed modernisation of the public body would greatly increase its capacity to engage in comprehensive fisheries monitoring, control and enforcement.
A compliance unit is to be established in the new fisheries executive agency, to carry out enforcement.
The auditor general's investigation also found that the division routinely asked hotels to provide free accommodation and meals to fisheries inspectors undertaking evaluations at hotels and food establishments during closed seasons for lobsters.
Insufficient funds
The Auditor General's Department said the director of the Fisheries' Division reported that the entity was not provided with sufficient funds to enable it to undertake such inspections independently of the hotels.
Citing a conflict of interest, the auditor general said the division must desist from this practice.
"Inspectors may feel obligated to condone breaches found at the establishment offering accommodation," the report stated.
edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com