Airlift Critical To Boost Fishing

Easier access to the BVI is a major component to help enhance sports fishing in the BVI, an industry government is looking to make a third economic pillar.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Labour, Hon. Dr Kedrick Pickering, speaking at a viewing party of an outdoor show "Let's Take It Outside", which features fishing in the BVI, said that the government has to put amenities in place to cater for the growth of the industry. This, he said, includes airlift.

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(PLTM) - "In sports fishing, we have to provide the amenities, and in a way that it attracts the boaters to our country. So we need our airlift so that people can fly into that airport and just jump on a Scrub Island boat. Listen people will leave down town Manhattan, or a major city in the US; and flying in on a Friday evening, just a couple of minutes over to Scrub (Island) have dinner and first thing Saturday morning, go fishing," he said last evening, Friday, January 13 at the Arbitration Centre.

"(They) fish Saturday and Sunday, and on Monday morning they are back in their houses from the city they came from. We have got to get airlift, it is an added value component. Scrub Island has provided hotel rooms, and all the other amenities; the fuel has to be there and we now have to train our people to benefit from it (captains and crew)."

Dr. Pickering said that there is a lot more to be done to make the BVI maximize the benefits of fishing.

"…Because we know the water is there, the fish out there, but we have to do what is necessary to add value, enhance it so that we get the returns on it, in a maximum way."

The show, which was filmed in the BVI, features professional anglers and hosts, Jimmy Houston - Hall of Fame Angler, TV host for over 40 years, and Misty Wells - host of Let's Take it Outside TV and radio show.

In this BVI based episode, Jimmy and Mitsy pursue the famous, Virgin Island’s Wahoo. Jimmy and Misty climb aboard a 61 Viking with Captain Tommy LaRonge to high speed troll on the North Drop. The episode was Produced and Directed by Jimmy Houston, Pat Turner and Co Host Misty Wells.

Wells, who spoke at the event, thanked the BVI for its hospitality.

"I hope everywhere else I go from here, is as wonderful and easy as it was here. It was my first experience, everyone made it so easy- the Film Commission, and Tourist Board….you open up your country…We look forward to shooting some more TV shows here…to show the world how wonderful it is in the BVI," she commented.

It was mentioned that the BVI's fisheries is untapped and the territory was commended for its effort in conservation.

Jimmy was not present due to other conflicting schedules.

Premier and Finance Minister, Hon. Dr. Orlando Smith also made brief remarks.

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