Mayor demands urgent opening of new King’s Wharf fish market.

MAYOR DEMANDS URGENT OPENING OF NEW KING’S WHARF FISH MARKET
San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris is calling for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries as fisherfolk and vendors continue to operate at King’s Wharf under conditions his office describes as unacceptable, despite a new fish market facility having already been constructed.
In a media release issued by the Office of the Mayor, Parris called for a clear timeline for the opening and operationalisation of the new facility, arguing that those who depend on King’s Wharf for their livelihoods should not be forced to continue working indefinitely under difficult conditions.
The latest call follows a site visit conducted by the Mayor on May 5, 2026, when he met with fisherfolk and representatives of the relevant union.
According to the Mayor’s Office, the visit highlighted several deficiencies at the existing facility, including the absence of running water, inadequate sanitary facilities and a lack of cold-storage facilities.
At the time, Parris called on the Fisheries Division to provide an urgent update on the newly constructed fish market and advocated for the immediate relocation of fisherfolk to the new facility.
However, the Mayor’s Office says it has received no satisfactory response or clear indication of when the facility will become operational.
The Mayor has also warned that the existing facility may soon have to be closed because it is no longer considered safe for fishermen and workers.
“These are not simply infrastructure concerns, these are people, these are families, these are livelihoods,” the Mayor stated.
He said workers and vendors at King’s Wharf deserve a safe, sanitary and properly equipped environment in which to earn a living and should not have to continue waiting indefinitely for a facility that has already been constructed.
The San Fernando City Corporation has indicated that it is willing to assist with the management of the new facility, if necessary, to ensure that the infrastructure is put into productive use for the fishing community and wider public.
The Mayor’s Office is now calling for an immediate response from the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, a clear timeline for the opening and operationalisation of the new fish market, urgent engagement with fisherfolk, vendors and their representatives, and consideration of the City’s offer to assist with managing the facility.
Parris said his office respects the right of workers and vendors to express their concerns and recognises the growing frustration within the King’s Wharf community.
The Mayor said his office will continue advocating for a practical solution that places the new facility into operation and provides the fishing community with a safe and dignified working environment.
Attention is now on the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries for clarification on when the new King’s Wharf fish market will officially become operational.