There is an ongoing territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela over the Essequibo region

Guyana and Suriname to Establish Joint Commission on Fisheries

GUYANA
Monday, September 15, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

GEORGETOWN — After years of a standstill over fishing licenses for Guyanese fishermen, Guyana and Suriname have agreed to establish a joint commission to advance cooperation in the fisheries sector. This commitment came during a high-level meeting between Guyanese President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his Surinamese counterpart, President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, in Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname.

President Dr Irfaan Ali being greeted by Suriname’s President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons upon his arrive in Nickerie on Saturday, September 13 2025

For several years, the issue of fishing licenses has been a point of friction. Since 2021, Suriname had promised to issue around 150 licenses to Guyanese fishermen to operate in Surinamese territorial waters, a pledge that had not been fulfilled. The unresolved matter has led to a situation where Guyanese fisherfolk, who operate from the Corentyne Coast and rely on the Corentyne River (Surinamese territory), have been forced to rent licenses from Surinamese businessmen at exorbitant fees.

During the joint press conference, President Ali announced the agreement to create a joint commission before the end of 2025. The commission will be composed of ministers responsible for fisheries, technical teams, and other relevant stakeholders, including fishing societies and the fisherfolk themselves. This new collaborative body aims to resolve the long-standing issues and advance cooperation in agriculture within the framework of the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP).

The initiative is a significant step towards resolving the disputes and strengthening bilateral relations, as the Corentyne River is a crucial access point for Guyanese fishermen to reach the Atlantic Ocean.

Source: Guyana Tourism Guide and reporting by News Room Guyana and Kaieteur News.

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