Fishermen’s federations demand action on license delays

Miguel A. Ortiz Serrano, president of the Puerto Rico Fishermen and Marine Defenders Federation

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Fishermen and Marine Defenders Federation (FEPDEMAR by its acronym in Spanish) has criticized the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) for delays in renewing fishing licenses, leaving “dozens of” fishermen unable to work and earn a living for their families.

The ongoing delays are especially frustrating now that the Lenten season has begun, the fishermen say. In response, they are urging DNER Secretary Waldemar Quiles to take immediate action.

The fishermen are also seeking a meeting with Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, who has introduced a bill to address the issue. 

“There must be dozens of fishermen who can’t go out to earn a living because they’ve been waiting for months for the Department of Natural Resources to renew their fishing licenses,” FEPDEMAR President Miguel A. Ortiz Serrano said. “We believe that the Department of Natural [and Environmental] Resources must conduct an evaluation. Of course, evaluating is their job, but there’s no reason why, in the 21st century, with the help of the internet, that process should take months.”

“Furthermore,” Ortiz Serrano continued, “we’re not talking about driver’s licenses, for which there may be thousands of drivers requesting renewals. We’re talking about the Department of Natural Resources perhaps having to process around 250 renewals a year, probably fewer. Right now in Puerto Rico, there are about 1,200 licensed fishermen, including those with current licenses and those in the renewal process; the Department of Natural Resources doesn’t have to process many license renewals.”

“It’s also important to consider that licenses are renewed every four years, not annually, and that fishermen over 60 years of age and those [who are] retirees have lifetime licenses and don’t have to renew them,” the FEPDEMAR president added.

Heriberto Rosa Pérez, president of the Palo Seco Commercial Fishermen’s Association Inc., said that “[i]n our fishing village alone, there are currently five fishermen waiting for the Department of Natural [and Environmental] Resources to renew their licenses, including our vice president, who has been waiting since last September.”

“It’s hard to believe the government cares about fishermen when we are left in situations like this,” he said. “While we know Senate Bill 1053 has been introduced as a long-term solution, immediate action is also needed -- measures that we know the government has the power to implement.”

Ramberto Hernández Hernández, president of the Parguera Fishermen’s Association Inc., expressed frustration over attempts to meet with the DNER secretary that have so far been unsuccessful.

“Because of this, we took the initiative to draft an administrative order for the secretary to sign, which could immediately resolve the urgent issue of fishermen stranded at the dock due to license renewal delays,” he said. “Last Tuesday, we submitted the draft to the secretary and to the legal division, and we have followed up by phone, but nothing has happened.”

Ortiz Serrano said the fishermen “are also turning to the Legislature for support and to request that they summon the [DNER] to explain what is preventing them from issuing the necessary administrative order.”

“We need immediate help,” he said. “The solution is straightforward: the [DNER] secretary should simply sign the administrative order while legislation is being drafted. It’s quick, inexpensive, and effective.”