House Approves Levy on Exported Conch

A levy of US$0.75 has been imposed on each pound of conch exported during the 2014 conch season.

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, July 23, approved the Conch (Export Levy) (Rate of Levy) Order Resolution, 2014, to facilitate the move.

The Resolution was brought by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Derrick Kellier, on behalf of Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke, who is currently on medical leave.

The law requires that for each conch season, the rate prescribed by the Minister must be subject to affirmative resolution in the House of Representatives. The Conch (Export Levy) Act imposes a duty on the export of conch, to facilitate the sustainable management and development of the fisheries sector.

Approved in 2009, the law made provision for the levy, which is used in part to offset the cost of implementing programmes for monitoring, control, surveillance and enforcement in relation to Jamaica’s limited conch resources.

These programmes are expected to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.