Tom Cruise was impressive in ‘A few Good Men.’  

In the exchange between the two marines after the verdict was read, one marine asked the other what they did wrong since they were only following orders.  

The response was that “we were supposed to fight for people who couldn’t fight for themselves.”

We were impressed on Tuesday when the early childhood children marched in a book parade on Tortola.  Books and reading must be part of their lives.

The youngsters looked happy, enthusiastic, engaged.  Their pride resonated.

So, we reflected on the role of the decision makers in the community who are duty bound to protect the children and, indeed, everyone including people like Albert Stoutt.

Albert and his sons are BVI citizens.  From his youth, Albert had an interest in fishing and trained his sons in that vocation.

They are good; Exceptionally good at what they do.

And while the government talks about the blue economy, Albert and his sons fish daily, weather permitting.

They were even tasked by the government to fish for the community during Covid, which they did.

And yet, when the government give out its stimulus to farmers and fishermen, some people who hardly throw out a line were awarded at least double the package that Albert received.

Still, you would struggle to find anyone in the village more engaging, warm, friendly and helpful than Albert.  His friends hail from far and near and span multiple races and ethnicities.  And he and his sons are best friends and co-workers.

Whenever the government or the community have called on him, Albert has answered; To help, for example, with the laying of subsea cables or with marine accident victims.

And Albert’s birthday parties are the things of legend.  People from all walks of life, including tourists and snowbirds, celebrate with him.  He probably does more for BVI tourism than most.

But in May 2023 the government begun to vigorously enforce the law against scuba fishing and singled out about 20 local fishermen, Albert being one of them.  And his sons are impacted as well.

They were disenfranchised by their own government.

So, Blue Economy or not, there appears to be no real government support for those fishermen who use scuba gear and spearguns.

Hon. Omar Hodge, truly the people’s man, recognized that the fishermen had a right to survive in their own country.  In 2007 when he was Fisheries Minister, he made it possible for them to continue to work and declared that Section 50 of the Fisheries Act would not apply.

But it was a temporary measure handed down for 1 year while a more permanent solution was sought.

But Officers of the Fisheries Ministry, in May of 2023, stopped the fishermen from using scuba gear and threatened them and the companies that supply their gear and oxygen with fines and imprisonment. Their spearguns were confiscated.

 

Appeals were made to their District Representatives and the Fisheries Minister.  Three years on, there is still no resolution.

Albert’s government should be ashamed but they are too busy flying around the world, enjoying the spoils of power and position and looking after themselves to notice people like him.

As it stands, we who tout a Lobster Festival annually on Anegada, have told our fishermen that they can free dive for their catch but no spears, no scuba. 

Today, secretaries use computers instead of carbon paper and stencils.  Doctors use laser and robots to assist with surgeries.

Researchers have discarded their encyclopedias in favour of Google.  AI is making a bold stand that is already thinning workforces but fishermen, under threat of fines and imprisonment, dare not use scuba gear or spear guns.

The government’s promises to address the issue remain hollow.  Since 2022, they cannot seem to get around to having the Food Security and Sustainability Act brought into force which would give the fishermen a fighting chance.

We leave the details of what happened the day Albert and his sons were arrested to a court of law.

But the inhumanity of the treatment meted out to them is scandalous.

Albert and his sons were taken to the marine base where they were charged with 2 counts of illegal fishing. No speargun was found.  They asked to be allowed to eat something and drink water;  Both denied.  

For about 5 hours, in a cell in the Road Town Police Station, they remained in wet clothes, in air conditioning, without food or water.  Although they were allowed to call their lawyer, they were not permitted to speak to the lawyer who left the Station after 2- 3 hours.

Albert told the Police Officer how helpful he was in the past to the Government and how he and his sons are always available.  The arresting officer told him “We don’t need you anymore.  We have ‘Island Divers.’’’

That can never be true.  If BVI is to progress, all of us are needed.

But the Police Officer, who hailed from a different country was mimicking the behaviour of our government regarding the elderly.  

The government does not need the elderly anymore and have abandoned them in their desperation and destitution.  No amount of pleading the case of the elderly pierces the heart of Officialdom.

But the Officer’s words also portend the danger of Volume 2 of the Law Enforcement Review Report that also allows for a slew of expatriate law enforcement Officers who would report to the Governor.  And BVIslanders could easily be criminalized at the hand of guest workers, without recourse.

We suppose the intent is noble.  We are to be saved from ourselves for we have all been judged in that Miami courtroom and sentenced.

And we cannot appeal to ‘Father’ for, at the moment, he does not recognize us to be worthy enough to be part of his Home; The Uk Home Office; Instead, we are managed through his Foreign Office.

That speaks volumes. 

Albert’s pain is still palpable.  He noted that they treated him and his sons like dogs.  But even dogs deserve their dignity.

The philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) was correct in stating that when a government fails to protect the people and it acts against their interest, it loses its legitimacy.

But I show my hand, in this case, for Albert is my brother and his sons, my nephews and I love them to shreds.

But so too does the community for those men are jovial, prominent, popular, law-abiding citizens who are a cornerstone of their community.

The fishermen wharf in Carrot Bay is kept alive by Albert and his sons.  It was certainly built with them in mind.

But now, at the age of 69, with not so much as a prior blemish on his record, his government has criminalized him and his sons using an unjust law.  

They are men who know the sea and its rules; Men who understand that there is a time to fish and a time to abstain so that the fish stock can replenish.

But we are more considerate of the sharks than our citizens.  At least we protect the sharks in legislation but deny our fishermen the right to survive.

It is an outrage!

And I dare to say so…

…on our Fridays.

Happy Friday!