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Fishers Urged to Comply with Sea Cucumber Close Season from March 1 to August 31

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is urging fishers not to fish for sea cucumbers during the close season, which runs from March 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. Persons caught in possession of, fishing for or selling sea cucumber during...

Young green onion plants growing in nutrient-rich garden soil.

RADA Urges Heartease Onion Farmers in St. Thomas to Tackle Rising Foliar Disease

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), hands over a cheque for boat and engine repairs to fisher, Crystal Buddle, during the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) handover ceremony for boats and engines at River Bay Fishing Village in Montego Bay, St. James, on Friday (February 13).

Fishing Boats, Vouchers Handed Over to Fishers in St. James

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, delivers the Throne Speech titled ‘Building Forward: Enhancing Resilience, Expanding Opportunity’ during the ceremonial opening of Parliament for the 2026/2027 Financial Year at Gordon House on February 12.

G-G Outlines Post-Hurricane Melissa Strategy for Agriculture Sector

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (centre), and Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi-Country Office in Jamaica, Dr. Kishan Khoday (second right), unveil the sign for the solar-powered community energy centre in Galleon, St. Elizebeth, at the official handover of the facility on Friday (Feb. 6). Sharing the moment (from left) are Chief Executive Officer, National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Gavin Bellamy; Warden of the St. Elizabeth Fish Sanctuary, Claudene Ebanks; and State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter.

Fishers in Parottee, Galleon Benefit from Solar-Powered Energy Centres

Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Gavin Bellamy delivers remarks at the National Tilapia Farmers’ Consultation held on Thursday (January 22) at the Caymanas Golf and Polo Resort in St. Catherine.

3 months ago Fisheries

NFA CEO Confident Jamaica Can Surpass Record Tilapia Production

Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Gavin Bellamy, has expressed confidence that Jamaica’s tilapia industry can surpass its historical production peaks. While the sector reached a record high of approximately 7,000 metric tons in 2007, current output has declined to roughly 900 metric tons. Despite the decline, Dr. Bellamy maintains that the potential for a significant...

State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter (second right), engages with (from left) National Fisheries Authority (NFA) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Gavin Bellamy; NFA Aquaculture Management Officer, Brittany Oates; and Senior Director in the NFA’s Aquaculture Division, DeHaan Brown, during the National Tilapia Farmers’ Consultation hosted by the NFA on Thursday (January 22) at the Caymanas Golf and Polo Resort in St. Catherine.

3 months ago AgricultureFisheries

Gov’t Advancing Plans for Development of Aquaculture Agro-Park and Regional Centre of Excellence

The Government is advancing plans to establish a 300‑acre aquaculture agro‑park at Amity Hall, St. Catherine, alongside the development of a Caribbean Centre of Excellence in Mitchell Town, Clarendon. These developments form part of the strategic measures being pursued to address challenges constraining the local tilapia industry and strengthen Jamaica’s aquaculture sector. State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), interacts with participants in the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP) Builder, during a graduation ceremony on June 13 last year, at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

3 months ago AgricultureCultureFisheriesMining

Training Commences for 2025/26 Cohort of RYEEP Builder

The Jamaica 4-H Clubs officially commenced training for the 2025/2026 cohort of the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP) Builder, on (January 20). This marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s recovery efforts, following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa in October last year. Training was originally scheduled to begin in November but the organisation was forced to delay operations...

Director of Engineering and Technical Services at the National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC), Rohan Stewart, speaks about the Commission’s drainage operations in Central and South St. Elizabeth and the minimal damage sustained to NIC facilities during Hurricane Melissa, during a recent JIS Think Tank.

3 months ago AgricultureFisheries

Ongoing Drainage Works by NIC Limit Flooding in Sections of St. Elizabeth

The National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) says ongoing drainage works in sections of Central and South St. Elizabeth helped to limit flooding during the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28 last year. Director of Engineering and Technical Services at the NIC, Rohan Stewart, said during a recent JIS Think Tank that some areas that are traditionally prone to flooding...

Director of Commercial Operations at the National Irrigation Commission (NIC), Wayne Barrett, addresses a recent JIS Think Tank.

3 months ago AgricultureFisheries

NIC Encourages Farmers to Prepare for Rollout of Water Supply Under Essex Valley Project

The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) is intensifying its customer engagement efforts as the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project in St. Elizabeth nears completion. This is to ensure that farmers in the region will be ready to benefit from improved irrigation services in 2026. Director of Commercial Operations at the NIC, Wayne Barrett, said that the Commission has been actively working...

Director of Engineering and Technical Services at the National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC), Rohan Stewart, addresses a recent JIS Think Tank, during which he outlined plans for the procurement of additional generators valued at over $107 million, funded through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, to strengthen the resilience of the island’s irrigation systems.

3 months ago AgricultureFisheries

NIC to Purchase Additional Generators

The National Irrigation Commission Limited (NIC) has received funding of just over $107 million through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining to procure additional generators. This is aimed at strengthening the resilience of the country’s irrigation systems during periods of power disruption. The generators will improve the NIC’s capacity to maintain water supply to farmers, particularly following extreme weather...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (right), interacts with Chief Executive Officer of NCB Foundation Jamaica Limited, Bruce Bowen (centre), and fisherman, Gervon Parchment, as they inspect fishing wires during the distribution of agricultural and fishing supplies at the Breds Foundation Complex in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, on Tuesday (December 23), as part of post-Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts.

4 months ago AgricultureFisheries

200 Farmers and Fisherfolk in Treasure Beach Receive $7m in Hurricane Recovery Supplies

Approximately 200 farmers and fisherfolk in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, received over $7 million in supplies and equipment on Tuesday (December 23) at the Breds Foundation Complex, as part of Hurricane Melissa recovery efforts. The National Commercial Bank Foundation, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, distributed critical resources to help restore livelihoods in one of the...