Hillsborough, Carriacou, January 26, 2011- Carriacou fishermen, displaced by the declaration and implementation of the Sandy Island/ Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area (SIOBMPA), are being afforded training to allow them to continue earning a living from fishing. The SIOBMPA has prohibited spear and trap fishing in the area. But noting the importance of fishing to the economy, the Fisheries Division – along with the management committee of the marine park – sought and received over US$8000 in funding from the US based Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute. The money will be used to send three fishermen to Dominica for one week of training. The trio, who will be accompanied Fisheries Officer Junior McDonald, will gain theoretical and practical knowledge in the construction, deployment and use of fish aggregating devices (FADs). On their return to Carriacou, the group will conduct a workshop for other fishermen, imparting the knowledge and skills learnt from their Dominican counterparts. It is expected that the SIOBMPA management board would spearhead future efforts to construct and deploy additional FADs to expand fishing opportunities. By Deanna Isaac Carriacou