Increase in the Number of Fisherfolk Being Registered

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is reporting a noticeable increase in the number of fisherfolk being registered, which moved from 5,687 to 7,640, for a 34 per cent increase in renewals of licences.

“We continue to work on that, and we do believe that some of the systems that we’ve put in place to make that easier are bearing fruit,” Mr. Green stated.

He was speaking during a post-Cabinet press briefing at Jamaica House on Wednesday (April 24).

Mr. Green informed that in 2023, there was an increase in tilapia production, with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) producing 1.3 million seed stock to help the sector meet its demand.

“We would have broken new ground for a brand-new tilapia hatchery, which will move our annual production from about 500,000 fry, to about five million fry,” he stated

Additionally, Mr. Green informed that Jamaica is the first country globally to attain Marine Stewardship Council certification for queen conch fishery.

He pointed out that certification underscores the sustainability of Jamaica’s conch industry and gives the country’s conch a significant competitive advantage in the global market.

Mr. Green stated that the local conch industry is valued at US$8 million annually, adding that “this certification opens up new avenues for our local conch fishers”.

“Additionally, we have been strengthening our National Fisheries Authority. We have put more boots on the ground to provide greater extension services. I have said to the team, just as our farmers are used to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, being that arm that they turn to when they have challenges, when they’re looking for technical support, the NFA will be that avenue for our fishers,” he said.

“As such, we have been enhancing our extension services. Yes, we will have extension services in our fisheries sector, and we’ve been enhancing our compliance officers. Over the course of last year, we were able to do 900 site visits across critical locations to provide fisheries oversight, and that includes our fishing beaches, marinas, restaurants, tournaments, seafood stores, rivers, and fish farms. It is a comprehensive approach to ensure that we monitor and also that we enforce our regulations,” the Minister added.

Mr. Green reiterated that Jamaica is now in the close season for lobster, adding that “if we don’t have these close seasons, then we will not have an industry to protect in years to come.”

The close season runs from April 1 to June 30, and there is a maximum fine of $3,000,000 or two-years’ imprisonment if persons are caught with lobsters during this period and if they possess tails from undersized or buried lobsters.

“That is strictly prohibited, and we want an all-of-society approach. So please, if you go to a restaurant and they are serving lobster during this time, contact the NFA at 948-9014/948-6933 or 967-2081. So, while we are in the close season of lobster, the good news is that we are in the open season for conch. So please, try conch,” Minister Green underscored.