Fisheries Officials Count the Cost of Hurricane Lenny at $162,000

Contact: John Emmanuel

November 30, 1999 - An approximate figure of one hundred and sixty-two thousand dollars, that’s what the Fisheries Department to date has been able to ascertain has been the level of losses experienced by the fishing industry with the passage of Hurricane Lenny.

According to Deputy Fisheries Officer Vaughn Charles his department has not been unable to ascertain damages done to fish pots, as this has to be done by fishermen themselves.

"In terms of fishing nets, boats, engines and other fishing paraphernalia we've come up with a figure of $162,000. In relation to infrastructure most of what we had in the Soufriere has either been severely damaged or destroyed. Some of the loses included the fuel pump belonging to the Soufriere Fishermen Cooperative, there was also an ice machine that was recently installed that has been completely destroyed. In addition the newly renovated offices of the Soufriere Marine Management Area (SMMA) has sustained substantial damage we're not sure whether that building can be used any more for the purposes of the SMMA" Charles said.

Areas affected by the sea surges as a result of Hurricane Lenny included Canaries, Anse-La-Raye, Roseau, Gros Islet, and Soufriere. Mr. Charles says the figures from the in-depth assessment have been passed on to senior ministry personnel and his department is awaiting word concerning a package of assistance for the fishing industry.

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