St. John’s Antigua: Chief Fisheries Officer Cheryl Jeffrey-Appleton says the payment scheme of local hotels could give some insight into why local fishers prefer to sell their lobsters elsewhere.
Hoteliers, restaurateurs and supermarkets are complaining of a lobster shortage.
Chief Fisheries Officer Cheryl Jeffrey Appleton: Listen to the Big Story:
Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer Philmore Abiola James says what may be going on in the industry is a competition among buyers.
Deputy Chief Fisheries Officer Philmore Abiola James: Listen to the Big Story:
Recently, Chinese unnamed Chinese traders have come under fire for their method of garnering lobsters for export.
Fishermen who do business with the Chinese say they pay a fixed price all year round for the commodity, as opposed to hoteliers who generally have only a seasonal interest in the product.
However, Appleton says fishermen prefer to sell their catch to other purchasers, because their payments are constant and instant.
To read more Subscribe to the Daily Observer…
Everybody has an excuse to avoid the truth of over fishing. The fisheries seem to absolutly refuse to accept the fact our waters are over fished. Oh it’s the hotels late payments, it’s the Chinese buying all the lobsters, it’s the French sneaking in with big boats.
Never is it the locals just fishing any way they feel like it. I saw a man spear fishing nobody call the police. No enforcement, no marine sanctuary just a dumb look on their faces wonder where all the fish gawn. Go ahead keep finding someone to put blame on.
It’s time to man up and admit change is needed now not tommorrow.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Many non-local hotels in the region behave as if they are doing the local people a favor by being in their land. Some get uncomfortable when locals bathe on their own beaches. Some advise guests not to buy things from the local people giving visitors the wrong impression when more often that not, the services the locals sell( boat excursions, teeshirts etc) are cheaper than what the hotels offer. What hotels are using is scare tactics so that they, instead of the local people will make a living from commissions. Don’t they see that if the locals cannot make a dollar off Tourism they will resort to crime?
The lobster issue is another one that highlights the hotels payments’ attitude when it comes to locals. Boat operators on some beaches are forced to let the hotel sell their tours at mark-up as if those excursions are hotel-organized. Boat owners have to wait–sometimes for months to get their monies. Operators who refuse to go along with their system are heavily discouraged from even offering any of their tours to guests. The best scare tactic is to imply that outside hotel excursions are not properly insured.
The best thing that ever happened to Africa and their seed in the Caribbean is the arrival of the Chinese. They respect the people (as they have endured centuries of persecution also). They pay cash and honor their committments. They do joint venture deals with Africa helping tremendously with infrastructure developments. They give to poor nations to assist with development. Many stores that used to sell Chinese goods at ridiculous prices are forced to reduce their prices as much as 50% and more since the Chinese have opened retail stores in Antigua and the Caribbean. Any favor you do for Chinese people they show immediate appreciation.
I believe God has sent the Chinese to help to lift many Caribbean people from the dungeons of poverty. They are respectful, helpful and generous. Many are getting saved also. Bless the Lord.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
wrong clips AGAIN…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0