(CHARLESTOWN,NEVIS–TUESDAY,AUGUST 17TH, 2010) Japanese Officials met with commercial fishermen on Nevis to discuss a proposed fisheries complex at Gallows Bay. The meeting took place on Monday evening at the Red Cross Building in Charlestown.

Representatives of the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA), a consultant group for the facility are on Nevis to conduct baseline surveys and advise on the proposed complex.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture in the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) Dr. Kelvin Daly noted that the estimated EC$21 to EC$27 million dollar project was a concerted effort by the sitting Administration to assist the Fishers on Nevis.

“The fishery complex demonstrates another move by the Nevis Reformation Party (NRP)- led Administration’s commitment to further develop the fishing industry on Nevis by bringing the proposed complex to the next stage, since former Minister of Government, now deceased Hon. Malcolm Guishard formulated a fisheries complex for Nevis in 2004,” he said.

According to Dr. Daly, the fisheries complex will be a multifaceted facility which would encompass a plethora of features including but not limited to a new jetty, fish processing facilities, value added processing, supplies of ice and fishing gear for the fishers and a fuel depot that would enhance the fishing industry on Nevis.

He said local commercial fishers and Ministry officials were in ongoing consultation with JICA as the survey team conducted observations on Nevis to ascertain how best the facility could be put together and utilised. Dr. Daley said the complex was an urgent need since the existing fisheries compound did not meet the needs of  today’s fishers.