(August 09, 2016) –A recent uproar in SKN community about travelling overseas, in particular to EU Countries, the USA and Canada with frozen and fried fish, has been clarified by an official in the Ministry of Marine Resources.
Marc Williams, the Director of Maritime Resources told Freedom Fm’s Newsdesk on Wednesday morning that the department would be issuing a release later on Wednesday to sensitize the general public that no longer were they allowed to travel with frozen fish overseas, unless necessary documentation was obtained from the Ministry of Marine Resources to facilitate travel with frozen fish.
He noted that this was as a result of recent legislation enacted by parliament in January 2016, although the procedure dates back to 2014. Williams indicated that the legislation was to ensure consumers safety and act as a deterrent against “unregulated and illegal fishing”. He pointed out that this does not apply to fried fish, as this was not covered under our “laws and regulations”.
Meanwhile Eric Evelyn, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on Nevis, is drawing attention to the new guidelines for travelers leaving ports in St. Kitts.
In an interview with the Department of Information on August 09, 2016, the Agriculture official said mounting concerns expressed by travelers leaving Nevis after the recently concluded Culturama festivities warranted him clearing the air on the matter.
“If you are travelling from the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport, it is required that you have documentation to accompany frozen fish. It is now a requirement from the Department of Marine Resources in St. Kitts. If the fish is fried or cooked in any way, you do not need any documentation.
“I am trying to sensitize travelers who are traveling from Nevis through St. Kitts with frozen fish, to get the documentation from the Environmental Health Department for $5 which is located in the same building as the Charlestown Health Centre,” he said.
Evelyn also advised that persons travelling with frozen fish should also seek documentation from the Department of Fisheries. He noted that the document gives clearance and certifies that the frozen fish is proper and fit for human consumption.
He noted, that the Department of Marine Resources in St. Kitts indicates that the requirements come as a result of a new Fisheries Act passed in Parliament in January and forms part of the legislation which has not yet been fully enforced.
“So even though the Act is not fully enforced as yet, they are getting travelers ready to ensure that once everything is enforced from the law, that persons will comply with what is required,” the agriculture official said. However, Evelyn noted that for the time being, the requirements are not being enforced when leaving through the Vance W. Amory International Airport with frozen fish.
He hastened to add though, that eventually both St. Kitts and Nevis would to be standardized in terms of taking fish overseas.