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The Project for Improvement of Fishery Infrastructure in Anse-la-Raye

The waterfront area of Anse-la-Raye will soon be receiving major infrastructural improvements, thanks to the collaboration of the governments of Japan and St. Lucia.  Through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japanese Government has provided a grant of $5mm US Dollars (apx. $13.2mm EC Dollars) for the construction of a new jetty and fisheries complex.
On Thursday, May 29th, 2008, a signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Agriculture between the Japanese Ambassador Koichiro Seki and St. Lucia's Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mr. Ezechiel Joseph.

“This project seeks to further contribute to the development of fisheries in Anse- La-Raye and will contribute to the overall development of Fisheries in St. Lucia,  as well as the Tourism industry through the Fish Friday event,” said Ambassador Seki. “I understand that the fishing industry plays an important role in the economic development of St. Lucia, providing both full time and seasonal employment and contributing significantly to domestic food security and the national GDP,” Seki continued.
Parliamentary representative for Anse-la-Raye/Canaries and current Minister of Health, Honorable Dr. Keith Mondesir, was also present for the signing ceremony and sees the improvement having an immense and immediate impact.  “It will increase the capacity to store fish by the fishermen in this area,” said Mondesir.  “The fishing complex is long overdue. The facility is needed to increase and enhance the method of fishing and storage in Anse-La-Raye,” he added.

The project proposal was originally submitted to the government of Japan through the Ministry of External Affairs in November 2001.  Because of the magnitude of the project and importance of sustainability during the implementation process, a number of studies have been conducted over the last several years, cited Mr. Vaughn Charles, Chief Fisheries Officer. 

"We are hoping that the implementation of that project could start sometime in December but before the project starts there are a number of activities that have to be undertaken by the government of St. Lucia in terms of site preparation,” said Charles, like “identifying an alternative site for the activities that take place presently on that site to allow for the construction.”

One such activity scheduled for relocation during the construction phase is the Anse-la-Raye Vendors Association’s weekly Friday Night Fish Fry.  Members of the Anse-la-Raye Village Council and Vendors Association agreed upon an area directly opposite the village’s police station, along the west coast’s main highway.  Temporary infrastructure for the event will be constructed with assistance from the Village Council, assuring that the event maintains its appeal and entertainment value at its new location.

St. Lucia’s government has allocated a sum of $600,000 to support site preparation and necessary infrastructure to allow for the project’s implementation, scheduled to begin in early 2009.  A new jetty almost twice in length and width of the current structure will be constructed, fixed with lighting and steps along both sides.  The improved fisheries complex will contain fishing gear lockers, a winch with slides, ice making facilities, offices, outdoor meeting area and new pressurized water tank.  The current toilet and shower facilities will also be refurbished with a new septic tank installed.

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