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Facilitator in the National Fisheries Authority’s (NFA) Safety at Sea Training Programme and Head of the Caribbean Maritime University’s (CMU) Department of Professional Training and Certification in the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies, Kyle Shaw, speaks at a recent JIS Think Tank.
Facilitator in the National Fisheries Authority’s (NFA) Safety at Sea Training Programme and Head of the Caribbean Maritime University’s (CMU) Department of Professional Training and Certification in the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies, Kyle Shaw, speaks at a recent JIS Think Tank.

Fishers Urged Not to Use Lead-Acid Batteries as Weights

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is urging fishers to avoid the use of lead-acid batteries as weights for their fishing lines. Facilitator in the NFA’s Safety at Sea Training Programme and Head of the Caribbean Maritime University’s (CMU) Department of...
Marine Inspector with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), Mr. Norman Thompson, speaks at a recent JIS Think Tank, held at the Agency’s Television Department, 5-9 South Odeon Avenue, in Kingston.
Marine Inspector with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ), Mr. Norman Thompson, speaks at a recent JIS Think Tank, held at the Agency’s Television Department, 5-9 South Odeon Avenue, in Kingston.

Fishers Must Have Seaworthy Vessels – MAJ
Facilitator with the Safety at Sea Training Programme and Head of the Caribbean Maritime University’s (CMU) Department of Professional Training and Certification in the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies,  Kyle Shaw, addresses a  JIS Think Tank, held at the agency’s Television Department, 5-9 South Odeon Avenue, in Kingston, on September 23.
Facilitator with the Safety at Sea Training Programme and Head of the Caribbean Maritime University’s (CMU) Department of Professional Training and Certification in the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies,  Kyle Shaw, addresses a  JIS Think Tank, held at the agency’s Television Department, 5-9 South Odeon Avenue, in Kingston, on September 23.

Fishers Urged to Use Life Jackets That Meet International Standards
Senior Director of Extension Services at the National Fisheries Authority
Senior Director of Extension Services at the National Fisheries Authority's (NFA), Capture Fisheries Branch, Shellene Berry, addresses a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (September 23), at the agency’s Television Department in Kingston.

200 Fishers Trained Under NFA Safety at Sea Programme
Lecturer at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and Head of the Department of Professional Training and Certification in the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies, Kyle Shaw, addresses a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Tuesday (September 23) at the Agency’s Television Department in Kingston.
Lecturer at the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) and Head of the Department of Professional Training and Certification in the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies, Kyle Shaw, addresses a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Tuesday (September 23) at the Agency’s Television Department in Kingston.

NFA Safety at Sea Training Aligns with International Maritime Standards

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One of the Facilitators in the Safety at Sea Training Programme and Head of the Caribbean Maritime University’s Department of Professional Training and Certification in the Faculty of Marine and Nautical Studies, Kyle Shaw, speaks at a JIS Think Tank, held at the agency’s Television Department, 5-9 South Odeon Avenue, in Kingston, on September 23.
Fisheries

Safety at Sea Training Programme Offers Skills Aligned with International Best Practices

Participants in the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) Safety at Sea Training Programme are benefiting from skills aligned with international best practices. The training, administered through the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), was adopted from the International Maritime Organization's International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). One of the Facilitators in the Programme, Kyle Shaw, said the training is...
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Senior Director of the Capture Fisheries Branch of the Extension Services of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Shellene Berry, speaks at a JIS Think Tank, today (September 23), held at the Agency’s Television Department, 5-9 South Odeon Avenue, in Kingston.
Fisheries

Fishers Encouraged to Take Advantage of NFA Safety at Sea Training

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is urging fishers across the island to take advantage of its Safety at Sea Training Programme. So far, fishers benefit from Safety at Sea Training administered through the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), and Scuba Diving Open Water Certification with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Marine Lab. Senior Director of the Capture Fisheries Branch...
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Principal Director for the Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division at the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Zahra Oliphant.
Fisheries

Fishers Urged to Obey the Law and Avoid Extension of Close Season for Conch

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) says extended Close Seasons for conch can be avoided if fishers abide by the law. In accordance with The Fisheries (Conservation of Queen Conch) (Family Strombidae) Regulations, 2023 under The Fisheries Act, 2018, it is illegal to possess, offer for sale, sell, process or import any conch products or by-products during the Close Season. This...
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Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left), engages with participants in the Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP) Builder, during the closing ceremony of the 2024/2025 cohort of the programme, on Friday (June 13), at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.
AgricultureFisheriesMiningSkills

Hundreds Apply for 2025/26 RYEEP Builder

Business and Entrepreneurship Development Manager for the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Amanda McKenzie, has indicated that close to 300 applications have been received, so far, for the 2025/2026 Rural Youth Economic Empowerment Programme (RYEEP) Builder. She said that this figure is expected to be exceeded, as the deadline for applications is set for Friday (September 12) at midday. During an interview...
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Queen Conch found in Jamaica
Fisheries

Persons in Possession of Conch Must File Declaration by Sept. 20

Individuals in possession of conch legally obtained prior to August 30, must file a declaration in writing to the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) by September 20, 2025. The Conch Close Season began on August 30, 2025 and runs until February 28, 2026. Principal Director for the Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division at the NFA, Dr. Zahra Oliphant, said the...
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Principal Director for the Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division at the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Zahra Oliphant, is reminding persons that the Conch Close Season is critical for promoting sustainability of the sector.
Fisheries

Conch Close Season a Tool for Sustainability – NFA

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is reminding fishers that the Conch Close Season is a critical tool for managing the sustainability of the sector. Principal Director for the Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division at the NFA, Dr. Zahra Oliphant, said part of the reason that the NFA is seeking to sustainably manage Jamaica’s conch fishery is to ensure that...
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Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter, gives remarks during the handover ceremony for fishing boats and engines, held at the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Black River office in St. Elizabeth, recently.
Fisheries

St. Elizabeth Fisher Grateful for Boat and Engine

Fisher from Parottee in St. Elizabeth, Oneil Whyte, has expressed heartfelt gratitude after receiving a boat and engine through the Government’s Fisheries Incentive Programme. Mr. Whyte, who received the equipment during a handover ceremony at the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Black River office, recently, told JIS News that the support would benefit not only him but also his community. “This...
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