Utilization of the catch Virtually all the catch is consumed locally. There are now facilities at most of the landing sites offering changing rooms, a fish market, gear mending facilities and a cooperative facility for the fishermen. The main cold storage and processing facilities have been established in Vieux Fort and Castries. Together they offer 625 t of cold storage capacity. The Governments of Japan and of Canada have provided substantial financial and technical assistance for infrastructure development.
Some vessels now use ice at sea, and fish is often transported on ice.
The use of ice continues to be promoted among fishermen. The Government of Saint Lucia has made considerable advances in developing the fishing industry. The presence of a Department of Fisheries, staffed by 25 professional and technical staff and supported by 9 data collectors operating island-wide, has enabled the development and maintenance of a variety of resource assessment and management programmes and the provision of extension support services to fishermen and fishing communities. Government continues to provide technical support to 9 fishermen s cooperatives, with membership ranging from 30-150 persons. These organizations benefit from duty-free concessions on all fuel used by members for fishing.