NDP Manifesto 2025 - Flipbook - Page 12
Our Plan to Revitalise
the Blue Economy
Effective utilisation of and investment
in our abundant marine resources can
transform SVG into a top destination
for yachting, a boat repair and
maintenance centre, and a major
producer of seafood.
Our plan for the Blue Economy includes developing
the fishing industry, the Ottley Hall Marina and
Shipyard and the yachting industry.
We will:
Regarding fishing
Create a separate government ministry for
fisheries, marine spatial plan and marine
conservation to focus our efforts on this
important sector and coordinate marine
resource management.
Failures in the Blue Economy
Our fisherfolk have an important role to play
in our economy but the present government
has failed to provide the opportunities and
services necessary for them to expand. The
Ottley Hall Marina and Shipyard has great
potential to create jobs and provide services
to our shipping industry but it has been
allowed to deteriorate into ruin. We once
dominated the yachting industry in the OECS,
deriving jobs and business opportunities
from it. Its decline has resulted in the loss of
jobs and businesses.
Improve the safety of our fisherfolk by
ensuring mandatory vessel monitoring and
better data collection.
Use our National Development Bank
to make affordable loans available
to fisherfolk to help finance investment
in boats, refrigerated storage, vessel
monitoring systems, VHF radios and other
equipment to make them more productive.
Establish a marine research institute
to work with local fishers and divers to
conduct research and gather data, so we
can monitor the state of our oceans and the
impact of climate change over time.
Obtain external markets for our fish
and seafood by working with European
regulatory bodies to lift the ban on our
seafood export.
Use blue financing to safeguard our marine
and coastal areas, leveraging our vast
exclusive economic zone to raise financing
for the protection and management of our
marine environment.
Establish fish markets in Shipping Bay, Sion
Hill, Calliaqua, Georgetown, Barrouallie,
Chateaubelair and Campden Park.
Explore debt-for-nature swaps and
blue bonds to fund conservation, marine
conservation, and fisheries infrastructure
projects.
Partner with global experts to develop
a major fish industry, ensuring we always
have high-quality fish for sale and good
paying jobs in the industry.
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NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY MANIFESTO 2025
Support and develop the sea moss
industry, including obtaining external
markets for products.
Support the tri-tri fishery with adequate
equipment and access to cold storage as
well as the protection of rivers and river
mouths.
