BVI News

Shrimp project on the horizon

Junior Minister for Agriculture Dr Karl Dawson has indicated that the government is actively considering the implementation of a pioneering shrimp project in the Virgin Islands.

The ambitious endeavour could potentially have far-reaching benefits for the local economy and the overall agricultural landscape if the initiative bears fruit.

Talks about the fish project come in the wake of a successful trade mission to Guyana, where government officials and key stakeholders were granted invaluable insights into the dynamic agriculture industry of the host nation.

During the recent trade mission to Guyana, government representatives and other vested parties were afforded the opportunity of having a closer look at the agricultural landscape of the country.

According to Dr Dawson, the initiative holds strong possibilities for the territory and align closely with the STEM education policy articulated by Education Minister Sharie de Castro.

Dr Dawson cautioned, however, that the project is only just in its early stages and may see the government playing a more diminished role than usual.

“I would say that if we go with that project, we do not see it as a government project, but trying to connect private sector individuals with… investors, the government will have a role, but it’s very much in the infancy, very much in the discussion phase,” he said.

Dr Dawson further commented that a greater percentage of protein intake by humans will come from seafood. Therefore, it is a matter for persons in the territory to continue to strengthen fishing from the wild.

However, he urged that it is also important to look at the question of the best practices, as far as aquaculture is concerned, while this is being considered.

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24 Comments

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  1. MAKE IT MAKE SENSE says:

    HE BETTER OFF BRINGING IN SHRIMP FROM GUYANA

    Like 11
  2. ANOTHER SCAM ON THE HORIZON says:

    JUST LIKE THE SOLAR FARM PROJECT ON ANEGADA

    Like 23
  3. Guyana = water says:

    BVI have no water. I know you think you smarter than all those down island people, but you no have the water they got.
    Shrimp thrive around rivers inlet to the ocean. Forest Gump make Shrimp in Louisiana – lots of rivers.
    BVI got NONE.
    Just more stupidness designed to steal money. Better idea, take money and spend on roads, schools and hospitals. You can still steal there, but at least we end up with something we need, and not just another shiny object that rots in the sun after it is abandoned.

    Like 22
  4. Anonymous says:

    More scheming on the people’s tax money…

    Like 11
  5. Pandora says:

    @ Guyana = water

    You speak FACTS. Love it!

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  6. .......... says:

    More bull$hit pie in the sky talk from our ‘know nothing, waste money’ Jr. Agricultural Minister.

    Like 9
    Dislike 1
  7. Hmmmmmm says:

    Higher cholesterol to kill ppl now !!!

    Like 8
    Dislike 2
  8. Aquaculture? says:

    Seems that the honorable doctor is confusing growing food in water with mariculture.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  9. Talk, talk says:

    and more talk. Considering implicating … come to us when you have something of substance.

    This man is irrelevant.

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  10. No Water says:

    BIV do not have the water resources to set up this system. The shrimps will boil to death in this heat.

  11. Lodger says:

    Does he know there is/was a lobster farm project? What happened to that?

  12. Foolish says:

    The worst ideas always come from the people who say they smartwatch stupid idea.
    Plz stop make all your stupid ideas keep them to yourself

  13. Wondering says:

    St Croix tried this many years ago. Has anyone checked it that experiment was successful?

  14. MAYBE ~ ( just MAY ~ B says:

    he plans to harvest them in the ponds

  15. D1 says:

    CHAD WOULD’VE BEEN THE BETTER CHOICE

    Like 1
    Dislike 2
  16. Focus says:

    Why not focus on Bananas? Reviving the coconut groves? Why try some new scheme that nobody here knows anything about?! We could definitely do with a agriculture ministry/minister/jr minister that knows something about agriculture…..

  17. TurtleDove says:

    Importing from the Gulf Coast is a better option. We have to stop this mess and look at sustainable things suitable for this climate and environment. I am looking at this guy crossed eye now.

  18. Huh? says:

    Shrimp? That’s it? Shrimps? We in trouble

  19. Basics says:

    Better off just fixing the roads/guard rails and cleaning up the place so that more high net-worth investors and tourists would actually want to spend time here.

    I have seen places in modern Africa that are dreamlands compared to here.

  20. Deh Watcha says:

    VIP giving ayo exactly what ayo vote for.

    Dem should k!(( ayo.

    Like 2
    Dislike 1
  21. LB says:

    This what ayo voted for?

  22. Kingfish says:

    Someday they will learn, let us hope that it is not too late.

  23. Honestly Speaking says:

    Over theastfed years several projects have been highlighted as potential Third Economic Pillar.
    (1) The Shrimp and Lobster growing reserve at Beef Island that much ado was made about. Now ten years or more gone by, Since then brother Dread Locks at Fisheries has passed on..and yet, now Shrimps or Lobsters.(2) 6 or 7 million spent on Green Houses at Paraquita and South Sound, VG. To this day, not one Cucumber or Tomato harvested. (3)Hon Frazer during his 2015 campaign had plans for greater involvement in the Marine Industry (creating jobs in areas like small engine repairs, developing marine skills etc) VIP lost the election bid. Plans haven’t seen the light of day. (4) 2019 Hon Fahie promised 1,000 Jobs in 1,000 days. Results? Fahie ended up in giving away Security 60+ millions of SSB money and now sits in a prison in Miami. Shortly after 2019 electilns Vip aired plans for doing agriculture on the DR. Today 5 jyears since, VIP now looking at doing agriculture all the way in Guyana.
    Here’s some not so Common Common Sense for Bvi Third Pillar economy or at least Economic Diviserfi action. Bvi is known for its abundance of fish. The Chinese and Japanese know about, (possibly Bvk is unaware). Invest in a fleet of fishing boats ?Trawlers), boats and Longliners that go out and stay out for up to 3 days returning with thousands of pounds of Tun, Mahi-Mai, Wahoo, Tuna etc.Dacb particular boat would be leased for a period with possible renewal terms of released and then leased to another fisherman.
    In other words, stick with what we know. We invested several millions in Prospect Reef. Was supposed to be a Tourism training platform fog Bvk Tourism. Now close to 20 years hence we just returned from Guyana offering among other things to offer Tourism Training to Guyana. We also have away the near 8-million for a plane to connect direct flights between Miami and Beef Island. In addition to the Commercial Fishing, now that we have direct flights to Beef Island, give an incentive to investors for 2 Branded Hotels, One on Tortola and one on VG. Simply Free ideas to be planted while the soil is still being rained on. oneBvi. BviLove
    e

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  24. Lobster/Oyster farm at HLSCC says:

    Lasted 1 weekend.

    Instead of being exotic why dont we farm crops known to survive here. Sugar, root crops, chicken, plantain for sustenance. Banana, fruit trees, coffee, tobacco for BVI brand tourist earner.

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