Govt targets fish marketing failures with aquaprocessing expansion

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha has acknowledged that unstable markets and weak processing systems continue to undermine the earnings of fisherfolk, and says government is now moving to expand aquaprocessing capacity to stabilise prices and add value to fish catches.
Addressing fisherfolk in Region Six, Mustapha said one of the major problems in the sector is that when catches increase, prices often fall instead of improving fisherfolk’s income.
“Many times when you have large catches, the price of your catch goes down,” the minister said, noting that this cycle continues to disadvantage fishing communities.
He explained that without reliable processing and preservation systems, fisherfolk are forced to sell quickly, often at reduced prices, to avoid spoilage.
To address this, Mustapha said government plans to expand the national aquaprocessing system so that fish can be processed, preserved and stored, allowing fisherfolk to benefit from longer shelf life and higher market value.
“We are looking… after this year’s budget… to expand the aquaprocessing system so that we can process the fish that you bring out, so that we can have a longer shelf life and more value added,” he told the gathering.
This approach, he said, will allow fish to be marketed more strategically instead of being dumped onto the market at once, which often drives prices down.
He noted that value-added processing would also open opportunities for new markets, including packaging, freezing, and further distribution, creating additional income streams within the fisheries sector.
According to Mustapha, aquaprocessing is not only about preservation, but about changing how fish is sold and valued.
He said fisherfolk must begin to see their catch not only as raw produce, but as a product that can be upgraded, branded and marketed for greater returns.
The minister said government’s intention is to link aquaprocessing directly to fisherfolk so that the benefits reach those who work at sea, rather than being captured only by middlemen.
He acknowledged that poor marketing structures have long limited the earnings of fishing communities, even when production levels are high.
“This is about ensuring that when you work hard and bring in large catches, you are not punished by lower prices,” he told fisherfolk.
Mustapha said the aquaprocessing expansion will form part of a wider effort to create a more organised, reliable and fair marketing system for fisheries products.
He added that improved processing will also reduce waste, especially during periods of heavy landings when excess fish cannot be sold in time.
The minister said stabilising prices and improving market access are critical if fisherfolk are to enjoy consistent and predictable incomes.
He stressed that building a strong fishing industry is not only about production at sea, but about what happens after the catch reaches shore.
“If we want to build a strong industry, we must also fix how we market and process what you catch,” he said.
Mustapha told fisherfolk that government remains committed to investing in systems that allow their labour to translate into real economic benefit.
For fishing communities in Region Six and across Guyana, he said, the future of the sector depends on moving beyond raw sales and embracing value-added development.
As he closed his remarks, the minister said aquaprocessing and better marketing are essential pillars in building a resilient, profitable and sustainable fishing industry.