– 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.

                       [ SEAFOOD SAFETY & SUPPLY REASSURANCE ]
                                          │
       ┌──────────────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────────────┐
       ▼                                                                     ▼
 [ 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.