A major cleanup initiative is underway at the Point Wharf Fisheries Complex in Antigua and Barbuda, with fisheries authorities issuing a final ultimatum to owners of abandoned fishing vessels, vehicles, and gear: remove your property by October 28, or face official enforcement action under existing national environmental and planning laws.
In an official press statement released October 13, Chief Fisheries Officer Ian Horsford announced that the cleanup effort is being carried out in partnership with three key government agencies: the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Central Board of Health, and the Development Control Authority. This inter-agency cooperation reflects the dual environmental and public health priorities driving the project.
The directive applies to all abandoned or deteriorating items left at the complex, regardless of how long they have been situated there. Owners are required to cover all costs associated with relocating their property before the deadline passes. This final notice comes after years of sustained efforts by the Fisheries Division to address the growing problem of abandoned property accumulation at the facility. Official records show that the division first notified owners of its intent to clear the site via mailed letters and public postings as early as 2020, and repeated calls for voluntary compliance have preceded this final step.
Fisheries authorities are emphasizing the legal ramifications of non-compliance, noting that abandoned vessels and vehicles formally qualify as waste under Antigua and Barbuda’s Litter Control and Prevention Act, No. 3 of 2019. This legislation explicitly includes abandoned boats, vehicles, and fish pots in its legal definition of waste. Of particular note is Section 13 of the act, which governs derelict vehicles left in public spaces. The law grants local authorities the power to issue a notice requiring owners to remove a derelict vehicle from public property within 24 hours, a regulation that applies to any item that contributes to environmental damage or defacement of public spaces.
Additional enforcement authority is drawn from Sections 34 and 47 of the Physical Planning Act, No. 6 of 2003. These provisions allow the chief town and country planner to issue an official enforcement notice or draft an amenity order for approval by relevant authorities, which authorizes the removal and disposal of abandoned fishing-related property. While the notice confirms that government will step in to clear the site if owners do not meet the October 28 deadline, the Fisheries Division has not released specific details on what enforcement will look like. It remains unclear whether items will be removed immediately after the deadline, if owners will face monetary fines, or if additional warnings will be issued before action is taken. The division also declined to share how many abandoned vessels, vehicles, and pieces of gear are currently located at the complex.
The cleanup project forms part of a broader push to upgrade sanitation, improve environmental conditions, and enhance the overall functionality and appearance of the Point Wharf Fisheries Complex. The participation of solid waste and public health agencies highlights that the accumulation of abandoned gear poses tangible risks to both the local ecosystem and community health.
The Fisheries Division is urging all affected owners to comply with the directive and remove their property before the deadline to avoid potential enforcement. Owners seeking additional information or clarification are encouraged to contact the division by phone at 462-1372 or 462-6106, or visit their offices in person at the Point Wharf complex.
In closing the statement, the division emphasized the collective goal of the initiative, saying, “Let us keep our surroundings clean and protect our health and the environment.” Copies of the final notice have been distributed to senior leadership in the ministries of agriculture and health, as well as the National Solid Waste Management Authority, the Development Control Authority, and the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to ensure inter-agency coordination for the upcoming cleanup.