The Anahita project initiated by Ciel Properties in Beau-Champ may have some difficulties ahead. After laying the foundation stone a few weeks ago, the group is facing the anger of fishermen from the East coast. Although the group says it has made proposals to the fishermen aimed at calming their fears, the latter have turned a deaf ear. The minister of Fisheries, Arvin Boolell, is trying to solve the conflict by listening to both sides to reach a consensus but this has not proved successful so far. Fishermen want to go to court for ?illegal land reclamation?.

While fishermen want Ciel to admit that there has been a prejudice against them, Ciel Properties is convinced that it has done everything possible to reduce the impact of the project on them. ?As they have shown no good faith when we made social and ecological proposals, we are afraid that this group of protesters does not care about the respect of the environment or of the future of their profession but are rather interested in the idea of getting direct financial compensation,? claimed the group?s communication manager, David Martial.

Some of the fishermen have grouped together on Ile-aux-Chats to protest against the work started by Ciel, preventing the latter from going ahead. For David Martial, such an attitude is illegal and could prove dangerous for the site workers. And, more importantly, Ciel has obtained all the necessary permits. Despite the Environment Impact Assessment they have obtained for the ?rehabilitation of Ile-aux-Chats?, the fishermen remain adamant that they are ?putting rocks into the sea?.

A report by the Albion Fisheries Research Centre (AFRC) has revealed that work done for the Anahita project would have no direct impact on fishing in the area; but the fishermen have refused to accept this. Not only are they afraid that the lagoon near Four-à-Chaux will be damaged by the work but they have also firmly criticised the fact that Ciel has had to uproot mangroves on Ile-aux-Chats.

<B>No damage</B>

In both cases, Ciel has tried to show its good faith towards fishermen. Even though the AFRC report showed that there would be no damage caused, Ciel has accepted to use a geotextile screen to protect the lagoon around Four-à-Chaux. Likewise, the group said that it would make sure one new mangrove is planted each time one has to be removed.

But fishermen have found fault with this proposal again and are talking about Rs 300,000 as individual compensation for each fisherman who feels threatened by the project. This money would be used to set up cooperatives to go fishing outside the lagoon.

Both sides look ready to keep their stand, waiting for the other to give in. The only hope of reaching consensus seems to be through ministerial intervenvention.