The National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCO) is investigating reports that Water Taxis are damaging fishing nets.Kishore Boodram, head of the Claxton Bay Fishermen’s Association, told the Trinidad Guardian the water taxis appear to have no fixed course in the run between Port-of-Spain and San Fernando.
He told the paper sometimes the vessels rip through the nets, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Boodram is seeking a meeting with Works and Transport Minister Jack Warner to discuss the matter.
In a media release Friday NIDCO said according to its records since the service started there have only been three claims from fishermen that the boats damaged fishing nets. NIDCO said it has settled one case and is investigating two others filed last month.
"It has been the experience of the crew that at times fishermen drop nets which drift into or nearby the route of our vessels. These nets invariably have no warning lights or identification markings to alert vessels," NIDCO said.
The company also said the water taxis use a specific approved by the Maritime Service Department of Trinidad and Tobago.
It said each vessel follows the designated route and at all times has at least two officers on the bridge to steer the vessel and monitor the radar, which scans distances up to a radius of 24 nautical miles.
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