Lobster Harvesting Regulations to be Tightened

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says regulations governing the harvesting of lobsters will be tightened.

He informed that a new harvesting regime for the 2017/2018 Lobster Season will be in place by October.

Addressing a press briefing at the close of a Fisheries Retreat and the 10th Ministerial Council meeting of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), at Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Montego Bay recently, the Minister said the new regime will result in better management of the resource.

“The regime will encourage greater investment in the acquisition of more boats, as well as marketing and research, and development. This will ensure that more jobs are created in the sector,” Mr.  Samuda explained.

He said that artisanal fisherfolk will not be placed at a disadvantage as a result of this move, “as we recognise the significance of the small players to the industry and will continue to protect them”.

This, Mr. Samuda said, is in keeping with the Government’s mandate to support the development of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector.

Addressing concerns among investors and other industry players regarding illegal fishing, the Minister said the Ministries of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, and National Security are to jointly submit to Cabinet a proposal for the use of drones to enhance surveillance in Jamaican waters.

Additionally, Mr.  Samuda said diplomatic overtures will be made to the governments of countries (whose fishermen are shipping illegally) in Jamaican waters.