whitebelly shrimp and shark.Meanwhile

micevan1l6

– as regional body looks at marine species conservationThe Department of Fisheries in Guyana has clamped down on the amount of trawlers in the Seabob trawler fleet.According to studies conducted by the Fisheries Department and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), Guyana’s fleet is twice the size of what is recommended for sustainable fishing.This has resulted in the restriction being placed on the expansion of the fleet.The Private Trawlers Owners Association is working with the authorities to find ways of reducing the size of the fleet.Last year, Seabob and white belly shrimp were the largest export earners in the fishing industry with 47 percent. Frozen fish, mainly grey snapper, is the second.The United States of America is the main export destination of Guyanese fishery products.A total of 476,200 kg of frozen fish was exported last year; grey snapper 403,098kg, red snapper 9,639 kg and shark 63,463 kg.Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud is pleased with the performance of the sector which maintained its performance from previous years.Recommendations are to be implemented in order to ensure sustainable operations and the safeguarding of the regional marine fisheries resources.There is only one closed season for Atlantic Seabob shrimp, which is during the months of September and October every year.The closed season has been determined through scientific assessment done through the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism.Assessments are also being conducted on other important species such as snapper, whitebelly shrimp and shark.Meanwhile, due to the decline of marine species from over harvesting, aquaculture is coming under focus.  It is said to be the fastest growing food production system in the world.