Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says that despite its vast coastal area and rich marine resources, Jamaica has yet to fully harness the potential of its blue economy. Speaking at a recent International Fisherman’s Day Symposium in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, Mr. Green said one of the Ministry’s main priorities going forward is to adopt a...

Several residents of the Bog Walk Gorge area of St. Catherine are welcoming the restocking of the Rio Cobre River with fingerlings. They came out to assist in the first phase of the process on Friday (June 8), which was undertaken by the bauxite alumina company, UC Rusal, under the observation of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) in the Ministry...

More local fruits and ground provisions will be able to reach international shores, as Jamaica now has export market access to several additional countries. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, said among these is Barbados for pineapples. “We [also] now have market access to Cayman for frozen ackee, soursop, sweetsop, breadfruit, plantain, yam, sweet and Irish potato....

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) will be upskilling more fisheries stakeholders through training intended to improve safety on the job. Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gavin Bellamy, says the training will be done in partnership with the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. “We will be repeating the training again this year with approximately another...

Farmers and fishers can now access increased insurance options to protect their lives and livelihoods, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., has informed. Making his presentation in the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 2, Mr. Charles Jr. announced that GK General Insurance Weather Protect is now offering a new type of microinsurance....

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is encouraging Jamaicans to buy and consume Tilapia for Easter. Tilapia, which is a freshwater fish and a product of Jamaica’s aquaculture sector, is an alternative to captured fish from the sea. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NFA, Dr. Gavin Bellamy, told JIS News in a recent interview that Tilapia consumption is also important...

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is working to secure the future of Jamaica’s fisheries sector, through increased focus on licensing and registration. The recent establishment of the Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division is a move towards these thrusts. Speaking at a JIS Think Tank held recently, Principal Director for the Division at the NFA, Dr. Zahra Oliphant, said the...