St Kitts and Nevis to reconstruct fisher’s cooperative building in Dieppe Bay 

Director of the Department of Marine Resources of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr T Marc Williams and Acting Director of the Department of Agriculture, Jeanelle Kelly were also present during the visit.

St Kitts and Nevis to reconstruct fisher’s cooperative building in Dieppe Bay 
St Kitts and Nevis to reconstruct fisher’s cooperative building in Dieppe Bay 

St Kitts and Nevis: Samal Duggins, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives, and Acting Permanent Secretary Miguel Flemming of St Kitts and Nevis, along with a team of technical staff, visited the Fisher’s Cooperative building in Dieppe Bay on Friday to further assess the damage caused by the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Director of the Department of Marine Resources of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr T Marc Williams and Acting Director of the Department of Agriculture, Jeanelle Kelly were also present during the visit.

While on site, Minister Duggins said that reconstruction of the building is necessary and added that the facility will also be outfitted with a new ice machine that will aid in the preservation of fishers’ catch.

Local fisherman Darwin Francis spoke briefly to Minister and explained the significance of the building that once housed the Capisterre Fishing Marketing Supply Cooperative and allowed fishers from neighbouring communities such as St. Pauls, Parson Ground, Newton Ground and Saddlers to store and sell their fish caught at the Dieppe Bay fish landing site.

Permanent Secretary Flemming said that the Ministry is looking to enhance the condition of the building, which is not only key for fishing but has been used as a social space for the wider and neighbouring communities.

The Dieppe Bay fish landing site is known for its most popular catches of lobster, dolphinfish, wahoo and various reef fish. It is the only fish landing site that is protected by a reef.

Samal Duggins- Agriculture Minister, took to social media and stated that recently their team visited the Fisher’s Cooperative building in Dieppe Bay to further assess the damage caused by the passage of Hurricane Irma in 2017.

While on site I had the opportunity to hear first hand from local fisherman Darwin Francis how significant this building is for fisherfolk in Dieppe and the surrounding communities, “said the Minister

Samal Duggins added that he is committed to ensuring that this critical site is reconstructed and outfitted with all the necessary equipment to ensure that our fisherfolk can store and sell fish both locally and regionally.