Fishermen demand Agriculture Department end contracts with cities managing fishing villages

The conditions of the Fishing Village in Vietnam, Cataño.

By The Star Staff

The Federation of Fishermen and Defenders of the Sea of Puerto Rico, Inc. (FEPDEMAR) is taking a firm stand, calling on the Department of Agriculture to terminate its contracts with municipalities responsible for managing fishing villages. According to them, these municipalities serve as intermediaries that complicate operations and inflate costs for hardworking fishermen.

Miguel Ortiz Serrano, the president of FEPDEMAR, said, “We have already met with the Department of Agriculture and reached an agreement to conduct monthly follow-up meetings to discuss critical issues affecting our fishermen. We are pressing for the immediate cancellation of contracts with municipalities that fail to comply with Regulation 7626, as well as urgent action regarding the deplorable condition of our fishing villages and the identification of allocated funds for their improvement.”

Ortiz Serrano elaborated on Regulation 7626, which outlines the parameters that allow fishing associations and municipalities to lease fishing villages overseen by the Department of Agriculture. This regulation prioritizes fishing groups for management of the villages. However, conflicts have arisen when municipalities assume management roles even when there are interested associations.

A striking case illustrating this problem is the situation in Ceiba, particularly within the fishing village at Playa Los Machos. Ortiz Serrano pointed out that ANSI, a company led by a veteran fisherman with over 40 years of experience, is compelled to pay monthly rent to the municipality. The municipality, in turn, holds a contract with the Department, subleasing the fishing village to ANSI. Rather than enhancing fishing operations, the municipality has created obstacles that hinder their efforts.

Ernesto Correa Torres, a dedicated fisherman and president of ANSI, recounted specific incidents that exemplify the municipality’s disruptive actions. He noted that the municipality allowed an individual to dock their boat at the village’s floating dock, blatantly violating Regulation 7626, which restricts its use to loading and unloading. “That boat has been moored there for days, steadfastly refusing to budge, provoking significant disputes among the fishermen. Its presence has visibly damaged the pier, constructed from plastic and believed to have been funded by FEMA, as each impact from the boat—approximately 25 to 27 feet in length—exacerbates the wear and tear on the structure,” explained Correa Torres.

The tensions have escalated recently, as Beverly Román, the secretary of ANSI in Ceiba, added, “The municipality blocked access to the fishing village during a sports festival held on adjacent land owned by certain developers, who benefited from a newly paved road, while our village remained obstructed.”

In light of these ongoing challenges, FEPDEMAR is adamantly calling for the immediate cancellation of the contract between the Department of Agriculture and the Municipality of Ceiba, advocating instead for the direct award of the contract to the fishing company. Ortiz Serrano emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “While we await this resolution, we earnestly request the Department to intervene promptly, liaise with the municipality and relevant law enforcement agencies, and order the removal of the illegally parked vessel at the dock.”

The Federation’s president noted a previous request to have the head of the Fisheries department dismissed, a position which is now vacant. This change has fueled their optimism that discussions regarding other pressing matters, such as the deteriorating conditions of the fishing villages, will continue progressing in upcoming meetings.

“The Federation remains steadfast in its commitment to pursuing a fair and executable plan and will diligently monitor its implementation. We are not seeking notoriety; we are demanding accountability and decisive action in support of the fishing sector. We view these steps as the foundation of a more equitable and collaborative future. The Federation will persist in its presence at each dialogue table, driven by the same resolve with which we advocate for our fishing communities,” Ortiz Serrano affirmed. The next meeting is slated for August.

The Federation is bolstered by support from the organization Firm, United, and Resilient with the Legal Profession (FURIA), the Sea Grant project, and the legal clinic at Interamerican University.