United States Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt last week hosted a reception at his residence for visiting sport fishing enthusiasts, travel writers, corporate sponsors, government of Guyana officials, and other local stakeholders seeking to develop a sport fishing industry in Guyana.
This new initiative, which is coordinated by the United States Agency for International Development/Guyana Trade and Investment Support Project (USAID/ GTIS), aims to bring together the government of Guyana, U. S. investors, the Amerindian Committee for Rewa, and communities along the Rewa River to develop an inland fisheries plan for Guyana and propel sport fishing, as another tourism niche market where Guyana can compete effectively.
U.S. Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt and other officials of the U.S. embassy entertain guests at the reception
Ambassador Hardt observed that the event “marks a major step in the development of a new eco-tourism product for Guyana, one where Guyana has a competitive advantage because of the Arapaima and Guyana’s natural resources”.
He added that “this tourism product will help preserve an important part of Guyana’s biodiversity, provide livelihoods to the communities in the interior, and promote a sustainable economic activity, thereby helping to diversify Guyana’s economy.”
In commenting on ecological aspects of the activity, he noted that the U. S. team will be working with the Agriculture Ministry and others to develop an inland fisheries management plan. He observed that a scientific study being done on the Arapaima by scientists from Auburn University suggest that the Arapaima found in Guyana is not found in any other South American country.
Ambassador Hardt praised this collaboration between the U.S. and Guyana governments with private sector companies as an ideal example of the kind of public-private partnerships that are possible to boost economic growth and create jobs.
Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy pledged his full support to the development of this new industry and the efforts of his ministry to develop the necessary regulatory framework to allow for further development of sport fishing in a way that protects Guyana’s environment.
International partners
Costa Sunglasses Inc Vice President Al Perkinson emphasised the group’s work with the Amerindian community and presented a film documenting the Arapaima fishing trips in Guyana’s interior, which they hope to show at the upcoming Sustainable Tourism Conference in Guyana and later on local television. It will also be shown at conservation and environmental film festivals across the United States this year.
Partners in the sport fishing initiative include prestigious international private sector companies such as Costa Sunglasses Inc, Nervous Waters Fishing Lodges which manages fishing lodges throughout the world, the International Game Fish Association; Rewa Eco Lodge; the ministries of agriculture and tourism; Wilderness Explorers; Karanambu Ranch; Atta Rainforest Lodge; and the North Rupununi District Development Board.
