00:00After more than 40 years in operation, the Production Avenue Wholesale Fish Depot in Sealots is preparing to shut its
00:08doors.
00:09At least, that was what was conveyed to fishermen by Namdevco last week.
00:14Members of the Sealots Fisherfolk Association say they were formally notified by the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation Namdevco
00:23on June 2 during an in-person meeting that the facility will close on June 14.
00:30The depot has operated continuously since 1983 and has long served as a major distribution point for fish and shrimp,
00:40supplying retailers, roadside vendors and restaurants across Trinidad and Tobago.
00:46The closure comes despite years of lobbying by fishermen to keep the facility open.
00:50Association members say they have been resisting efforts to close the depot since 2023
00:56when Namdevco management reportedly indicated the operation was no longer generating sufficient revenue to remain viable.
01:05The issue also became a political one during the last parliamentary term.
01:11Then, Port of Spain South MP Keith Scotland promised fishermen an upgraded multi-million dollar fishing complex for sealots.
01:18In 2025, Scotland announced that the project had already gone out to tender.
01:25But with closure now imminent, fishermen say they have received no indication of when or whether a replacement facility will
01:32materialize.
01:33The association says 69 registered members stand to be directly affected.
01:38Several fishermen who spoke with TV6 News on condition of anonymity described Namdevco's proposal to relocate operations to Karanash as
01:47impractical.
01:49They argue that many have operated from sealots for decades and contend the existing jetty and facilities at Karanash
01:57lack the capacity to accommodate the number of vessels and the volume of fish currently handled at sealots.
02:04Figures from 2022 show that an average of approximately 125,000 pounds of fish and shrimp
02:12passed through the sealots facility each month, highlighting its importance within the local fishing industry.
02:19Fishermen are also questioning what will become of the site once operations cease.
02:24Though managed by Namdevco, the land is expected to revert to the Port Authority after the closure.
02:30For now, the association says protest action remains on the table but is not being considered immediately.
02:37Instead, members are hoping to secure support from Port of Spain Mayor Chinua Alain and their parliamentary representative
02:44in a bid to reverse the decision or secure alternative arrangements.
02:49TV6 News sought comment from Agriculture Minister Ravi Ratiram.
02:53He told TV6 following all queries, he made inquiries with Namdevco.
02:58Ratiram assured TV6 that the facility will not be closed on June 14th.
03:03He visited the facility shortly after and held what he described as pleasant discussions with the association's executive
03:10and reinforced the state's commitment to growing the sector.
03:15He said although there are some outstanding payments owed to the Port Authority,
03:19which owns the property by Namdevco, no such decision on closure will take place without public consultations with all stakeholders.
03:29The minister said discussions will take place to see what is best for all parties
03:34and to ensure the profitability of all consumed.
03:37Namdevco Chief Executive Officer Nirmbala Devi Singh up to Newstime had not responded to our request for comment.
03:44Arvishay Tawari, Rupanarayan, TV6 News.
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