$20m Relief Fund Established to Assist Fishers Affected by Recent High-Rising Sea Waves

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining has announced a $20-million relief fund to support fisherfolk who were impacted by high-rising sea waves along Jamaica’s coasts on February 6.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, who expressed concern for the affected fishers, made the announcement during the 67th staging of the Hague Agricultural and Industrial Show in Trelawny on Ash Wednesday (February 14).

The waves, which were associated with a cold-front weather system, damaged fish pots, boats and business establishments.

“As such, we have identified about $20 million that we’re going to be using to provide some support to our fishers to help them to get back their pots, help them to repair their boats and to get [them] back out there so that they can continue to do what they love, which is to feed our nation,” Mr. Green said.

He also advised that the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has been tasked with assessing the damage and losses sustained by fisherfolk.

Initial reports indicate that more than 200 fishers have been directly impacted, rendering them unable to go out to sea, while losing some 1,000 pots.

“[So far], we have already gotten information from about 45 fishers that were directly impacted,” Mr. Green pointed out.

He gave the Ministry’s undertaking to provide them with assistance, noting that the swift response to the crisis is indicative of the Government’s dedication to the welfare of fisherfolk and its commitment to ensuring their livelihoods are safeguarded.