Mr. Speaker I thank you for opportunity to address the people of the Virgin Islands.  Allow me to update the public on the state of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Mr. Theodore E. James has been appointed to act as Director in the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries effective July 2.

Embracing his role as the new Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. the Honourable Natalio Wheatley reflected on the work done during the first 100 days in office.

Dog owners in the Territory are invited to have their dogs licenced at the Humane Society’s Cinco de Mayo event at the Watering Hole on Saturday, May 4 beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Farmers and fishermen are invited to a meeting to discuss Climate Risk Adaptation and Insurance in the Caribbean on Thursday, October 25.

The public is advised that the bypass road behind the Central Administration Complex will be temporarily closed from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 19.

The public is invited to a Cultural Food Fair on October 19 in observance of World Food Day.

World Food Day will be observed in the Virgin Islands with a Cultural Food Fair hosted by the Department of Agriculture.

Pig farmers and other interested persons are invited to a workshop on Friday, August 24.

Madame Speaker, I rise to provide an update on the state of the combined fishing and farming industry. Following a series of public consultations that the Premier and his team conducted after the hurricanes, a number of issues were identified in the fishing and farming communities.