Trinidad Newsday Editorial

While Trinidad and Tobago is understandably concerned by the Barbados Government's threat of economic sanctions and intervention by its Coast Guard in the fishing dispute nonetheless this country must not allow Barbados' threats to affect the good relations between Tobago and Trinidad.

Already, the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, Orville London, has expressed annoyance of the freeing of the Barbados fishermen who were reportedly held fishing in waters off Tobago. What should be of importance to the Central Government is that any unrestrained fishing in Tobago waters by Barbados fishermen would not only deplete this country's flying fish stock, but will be in direct and unfair competition with Tobago fishermen, who would stand to lose their source of livelihood and needed income. The unemployment and underemployment which would result would seriously affect the economy of the island, as well as pose the potential for an adverse social effect on Tobago. It would see many families living below the poverty line, even as Barbadian fishermen laugh all their way to the bank!

Mr London has offered as a means of solving the dispute what clearly has been a reasonable proposal, that flying fish caught by Tobago fishermen, surplus to the needs of the country could be sold to their Barbados counterparts. In this way Barbados can still have all of the flying fish that it requires without adversely affecting the livelihood of the Tobago fishermen, their economic future and, in turn, the security and well being of their families. Barbados would not stand to lose should the THA Chief Secretary's offer be affected. Instead, its entrepreneurs at the Oistins Fish Market will still be able to supply their customers, particularly at the regular Friday night Oistins limes; Barbadians would still be afforded the opportunity of continued flying fish as a regular part of their menus; Barbados fish processors would be able to export the delicacy as in the past, and visitors to the island could still order advertised “Bajan flying fish” at hotels and restaurants. In this way Barbados could still promote itself as the ‘Land of the Flying Fish.'

As much as we hold that a tactful and amicable solution to the fishing dispute between Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados should be sought and reached, and good relations between the two Member States of the Caribbean Community of Nations be continued, nonetheless it is equally important, or perhaps even moreso, that we remember that Tobago as part of Trinidad and Tobago comes before Barbados in any decision we make centrally. The long established friendly and supportive interaction of Trinidadians and Tobagonians should not be allowed to be unduly affected by the insensitive demands of the Barbados Government in the fishing dispute, which took a wholly unsavoury turn on Monday. We need hardly remind of the old adage that charity begins at home. The century-old union between the two islands of Trinidad and Tobago should be held out as a needed example to the other English speaking Member States of CARICOM in their search for a closer union. We are proud of our unitary State and silly season threats by Barbados should not be allowed to undermine it.