Fisheries Division Gets Motorcycle

The Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, has acquired a motorcycle, which will enhance its capacity to manage and protect Jamaica’s fisheries resources.
Speaking Wednesday (Feb.11) at the handing over ceremony, at the Ministry, Hope Gardens, Kingston, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, thanked The Nature Conservancy (TNC) for donating the motorcycle.
“One of the big challenges that the Fisheries Division faces, is to enforce the vast area of natural resources that obviously are important to our livelihood, to our survival,” Dr. Tufton said.
“We never ever have adequate amount of resources, infrastructure, and personnel to do the work that is necessary and, therefore, whenever we can get assistance it clearly is a big plus for us and for the work that we have to do,” he added.
The Minister said that the Government has always had an active policy of engaging Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the donation of the motorcycle was a tangible symbol of that cooperation.
Sustainable Waters Programme Manager at the TNC, Kimberly John, said that she was pleased to make the presentation, while noting that the motorcycle was donated to the Fisheries Division specifically for monitoring and enforcement in the Rio Grande.
Nature Conservancy has been working in partnership with the Fisheries Division, and other critical stakeholders, in addressing important issues related to the fisheries sector. At Pedro Cays off St. Elizabeth, and the surrounding marine ecosystem, they have helped to advance Fisheries’ initiative to develop and implement a proper and comprehensive management system for the Cays.