Colin Gager, mayor of Falmouth.

WESTERN BUREAU:

A rift is brewing between Falmouth fishermen and the Trelawny Parish Council over a parcel of land the former now occupy.

The land is to be used for the development of the Falmouth Wharf and the fishermen are being relocated.

The fishermen, through their association president, Fritz Christie, are claiming that the land was bequeathed to them more than 60 years ago but the parish council is countering that charge. The fishers said they had not been adequately compensated for the land, which has been sold to the wharf developers.

"We are being relocated to a substandard facility and we want equal or above amenities to that which we had," said Christie.

Christie, whose association has a membership of 52, said he had been informed that the fishermen would have to rent the new facility, a prospect he considered "despicable". The association boss said his group should not be penalised after being asked to move.

Conflicting claim

Mayor of Falmouth Colin Gager, although highly concerned about the fishermen, dismissed the ownership claims, saying the land was the council's.

Gager said the decision was not pursued in a heavy-handed manner, but that the relocation was a necessary part of the council's development plans.

The mayor also rejected claims that the new facility was substandard. He also said no decision had been made about rentals.

richard.morais@gleanerjm.com