DLP Petitions Government for Fisherfolk Relief post-Hurricane Beryl: Calls for Justice and Action

The Opposition Democratic Labour Party (DLP) on Monday ramped up pressure on the government with a petition demanding relief for fisherfolk devastated by Hurricane Beryl.

Doubling down on criticism of the administration for what it insists are broken promises and neglect, the DLP has vowed to escalate the fight for justice, warning of the possible collapse of the traditional fishing industry.

The petition, which Dr Derek Alleyne, executive assistant in the Office of the Opposition Leader, said has already gained significant support, seeks justice for fishers and boat owners still waiting for promised relief payments.

“Every day, somebody has called and said: ‘Add me to the petition’,” he told journalists during a press conference at the opposition leader’s Hincks Street office.

Alleyne, who has been over the last few weeks working closely with the fisherfolk, added: “We’re taking names from all affected fisherfolk to show the government the sheer scale of this crisis. This petition is not just a document – it’s a demand for justice.”

He said the fisherfolk organisation was fully on board and ready to escalate efforts.

“The fisherfolk are unified and ready to take the fight to government,” he said. “They are not going to let this issue be ignored any longer. The time for waiting is over.”

The petition comes as many fisherfolk are frustrated over long delays in receiving promised payments. Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne highlighted the personal toll of what he described as the government’s inaction on the fishing community, drawing attention to members of the fishing community present at the press conference, which he said represented only a fraction of those impacted.

“Of the people who came here today – about four people standing behind us – three of them haven’t been paid,” he said. “This is not an isolated issue; it’s widespread and deeply troubling.

“They paid three fishermen. Not the vendors. Not the boat owners. Three. This is disgraceful,” Thorne added.

The government had committed to providing $1 500 to individual fishers and $2 000 to boat owners for September, October, and November. However, the majority of the community remains unpaid, Thorne claimed. The promised payments were intended to help recover from losses after Hurricane Beryl.