SEA LOTS fishermen have won a temporary reprieve after Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Ravi Ratiram assured that the Port of Spain Wholesale Fish Market would not close on June 14, despite notices indicating that the facility was to be vacated within days.
The assurance follows growing concern among members of the Sea Lots Fisherfolk Association, who said they were informed by CEO of the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (Namdevco) Nirmalla Debysingh at a meeting on June 2, 2026, that the market would be permanently closed.
The facility, located on Production Avenue, has been a fixture of the fishing industry since 1983, serving as a major distribution hub for fish and shrimp destined for groceries, roadside vendors, restaurants and hotels throughout Trinidad and Tobago. The Association says 69 registered fishermen stand to be directly affected by any closure.
Several fishermen who spoke on condition of anonymity described suggestions that operations could be moved to Carenage as unrealistic. They argued that many operators have worked from Sea Lots for decades and that the existing infrastructure in Carenage lacks the capacity to accommodate the number of vessels and the volume of seafood currently processed at the Port of Spain location.
Their concerns are supported by industry data. Figures from 2022 show that an average of 125,000 pounds of fish and shrimp passed through the Sea Lots facility each month, highlighting its significance to both the fishing sector and the wider economy. The controversy has now drawn the intervention of Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne. In a statement issued on Monday, Alleyne revealed that he had been contacted by the Fisherfolk Association after members received notice of the proposed closure. He subsequently held discussions with Councillor Jenneil Frederick and representatives of the Association, who requested the City Corporation’s support.
The mayor described the development as a matter of “great concern” and warned that the closure would have consequences beyond the immediate fishing community.
“The Port of Spain Wholesale Fish Market represents a crucial element of the economic engine in Sea Lots and plays a critical role in ensuring that the burgesses of Sea Lots have a stake in the formal economy,” Alleyne said.
Ratiram, responding to inquiries, said he immediately sought clarification from Namdevco and was assured that no closure would take place on June 14. The minister acknowledged that outstanding payments were owed by Namdevco to the Port Authority, which owns the property, but stressed that any decision regarding the future of the facility would require consultation with stakeholders.
He added that discussions would be held to determine the best course of action for all parties while ensuring the continued profitability and sustainability of the operation. Ratiram later visited the facility and met with executives of the Sea Lots Fisherfolk Association, in what he described as “pleasant discussions” reiterating the Government’s commitment to supporting and growing the fishing sector.
Questions remain, however, about the long-term future of the site. If Namdevco ceases operations, the property is expected to revert to the Port Authority.
For now, the fishermen have shelved plans for protest action, opting instead to pursue dialogue and political support. But many say they remain wary until a clear plan for the future of the market is put forward.
Namdevco chief executive officer Nirmalla Debysingh did not respond to requests for comment yesterday.
