Guyana’s Fish Safe To Eat, So Says Minister Mustapha – Amid Rumors Following M.V. Barima Disaster
By Travis Chase | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — As Guyana continues to navigate the tragic fallout of the M.V. Barima maritime catastrophe, a new economic challenge has emerged for the country’s fishing industry.
Widespread rumors circulating on social media claiming that locally harvested fish may be contaminated have caused consumer demand to plunge, leaving vendors at major municipal markets reporting severe drops in sales.
In response to growing public anxiety, Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha sought to calm fears on Tuesday, stating unequivocally that there is no scientific evidence to support claims that fish caught in Guyanese waters is unsafe for human consumption.
False Rumors and Impact on Fisherfolk Livelihoods
Social media posts, fueled in part by digitally manipulated images, have suggested that fish offshore the Essequibo Coast may have fed on human remains following the July 18 sinking. These rumors have driven consumers away from seafood stalls at Bourda Market, Stabroek Market, and coastal landing sites:
Significant Drop in Sales: Longtime fish vendors report that daily sales have dropped precipitously over the past week due to unfounded public apprehension.
Commercial Distance: Minister Mustapha emphasized that commercial fishermen operate in designated offshore fishing grounds situated far from the specific site where the M.V. Barima capsized.
No Contamination Found: Fisheries and public health monitoring agencies have recorded no evidence or reports of contamination in commercial catches.
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[ Commercial Fishing Grounds ] [ Public Health & Safety Advice ]
– Operating far offshore from wreck location – Zero scientific evidence of fish contamination
– Species harvested do not feed on human remains – Continuous monitoring by Fisheries Department
– Traditional landing sites remain monitored – Call to support coastal fisherfolk & market vendors
“No Scientific Analysis Indicates Any Contamination”
Addressing media queries, Minister Mustapha appealed to citizens to rely on official public health channels rather than unverified online posts:
“There has been no scientific analysis to show that there has been any contamination of the fish,” Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha stated. “First of all, anybody who knows about fishes, these fish have their special fishing grounds far out from where the incident happened. This has nothing to do with contamination—it is a perception driven by social media pressure. I want to appeal to consumers out there that the fish is safe and we should continue to support our fisherfolk.”
Search and Recovery Concluded
The Minister’s statement coincides with the official conclusion of search and recovery operations by state authorities.
Final official figures stand at 73 confirmed deaths, 76 survivors, and 30 passengers remaining unaccounted for. While physical search operations at sea have wrapped up, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational as efforts continue to identify five remaining unrecovered bodies held at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary. #GuyanaNews #ZulfikarMustapha #MVBarimaTragedy #FisheriesGuyana #PublicHealth #TravisChase #HGPTVNightlyNews
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Is my money's I will eat what ever we want to eat ex cep fish is the government cause this disaster in the first place to have a unseaworty old iron to take humans except them and the family s if people s font want eat fish that is the choice not yours do ppp government go to he'll and. Ever return pice of shit
Eat it you try dey
Mustapha, show us the evidence from a independent lab. Show us the evidence if you don't have anything to HIDE.
talking about scientific
get the fish tested before selling on the market
and let the Guyanese see u buying and cooking it
Where,'s the proof..
THE FISH IS SAFE IN GOD NAME NO POISONING OF FISH FROM THE GUYANESE FIGHTING CORPORATION GOLD MINERS WENT THERE IN GUYANA 🇬🇾 TO TO CONTAMINATE GUYANESE WATER AND FOOD
No way
How u know that 🥱
How do you know theres no contamination? Were any fishes tested for that purpose?
U eat it crazy man!! don’t tell us crap u don’t know.
ALL OVER THE WORLD SHIP SINKING WITH HUMANS FISH IS GOOD TO EAT GUYANA DONT HAVE CONTAMINATE FISH FREAH FRESH LIVENING JUMPING FISH THAY CANT GET BETTER FISH THAT IS GUYANA 🇬🇾
EVERY THING THAT COME FROM GUYANA 🇬🇾 IS NONE CHEMICAL FOOD FISH NUMBER NUMBER ONE
It will be eaten by the Fishes. Human flesh is Poisonous. Why don't you all eat it, let us see your eat the Fishes.
Pull up the vessel for humanitarian purposes
Who wants to eat it eat it but not me for now