BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS (MMS-SKN) — In ushering in a week of activities (18th – 25th November) following the observation of World Fisheries Day, which was observed on Saturday, November 18 under the theme ‘Cast the Net’, the Honourable Samal Duggins attended a worship service at the Ebenezer Methodist Church in Old Road on Sunday, November 19.
“We celebrate today, leading into World Fisheries Week, and that for me is also a critical aspect because my constituency, Constituency Number Four, happens to be one of the constituencies that are abundant with fishermen,” Hon Duggins, who is the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives, told the congregation.
The Minister, who is the Area Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Four, reminded the congregation that “it has been a traditional fishing constituency from areas in Challengers, Old Road – particularly – and even as far down as Godwin Ghaut, and Half Way Tree.”
Honourable Duggins, who is also the Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Sports and The Creative Economy, was accompanied by among others, the Director in the Department Marine Resources, Mr Randel Thompson, Marine Biologist, Mrs Tricia King, and Manager of the Basseterre Fisheries Complex, Mr Lorinston Jenkins.
People in the constituency, according to the Area Parliamentary Representative, are fond of living by the water, and as the Minister with responsibility for Fisheries and Marine Resources, he observed that the people have been empowered by the ocean, and it was therefore important for him to celebrate them.
“And so today, as we praise the Lord, I want us to sing praises for our blessings because in my travels I recognise that St. Kitts is too blessed in ways that we do not even understand,” he said. “We are surrounded by pristine waters that are abundant with food – that is a blessing in itself because I have visited countries where they are begging for ocean resources, simply due to pollution and effects of climate change. We are not yet there, and I pray that we never will be.”
He called on all to give thanks and praise that they have, in the constituency, abled and well-positioned fishermen and other persons who thrive in the marine environment because the public is able to eat fish and other marine resources as sustenance for themselves. He advised them not to take that lightly as there are areas where people cannot eat the fish or other resources from their waters due to pollution.
“I want again to thank you all for being here; thank you to the people of Constituency Four, thank you to the fishermen, thank you for each and every one that serves within the area of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives,” the Minister said in conclusion. “It is only with your help that we are to move forward, and I want to say again thanks to the Ebenezer Methodist Church for allowing us here today to celebrate with you, and last but not least, thanks be to God.”
The church service was held on the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas (MCCA) Youth and Young Adults Lord’s Day (26th Lord’s Day after Pentecost) under the theme ‘Embracing God’s Grace’, while the President’s message was read by Miss Sanqua Hanley and Miss Teyounce Liburd.
Message was delivered by Sister Jamella Fraser, who was supported by Liturgist, Master Kamari Flemming, and Congregational Steward, Ms Julianna Edmeade.
Ministering in song was Mrs Datricia Thompson, wife of the Director of the Department of Marine Resources, Mr Randel Thompson; and reading from the scriptures was Data Collector in the Department of Marine Resources, Mr Enver Pemberton.
Activities of the week in observance of World Fisheries Day continued yesterday (Monday November 20) with Wear Blue Day, where staff at the Department donned blue. Members of staff at the Department of Marine Resources have a retreat today (November 21) at the Ramada Resort, tomorrow (Wednesday November 22) will be Media Day, followed by Talks in Schools on Thursday.
The Basseterre Fisheries will be a beehive of activities on Friday November 24 as it will host a fish fry where people will enjoy fish delicacies between 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The week of activities comes to an end on Saturday with a beach clean-up from 6:00 a.m. A beach clean-up was held on Nevis on Saturday November 18.