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Principal Director for the Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division at the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Zahra Oliphant, addresses a Think Tank on Wednesday (April 24), at the JIS head office in Kingston.

Fisheries Sector Contributes Over $30 Billion to GDP

Jamaica’s fisheries production amounted to more than $30 billion for calendar year 2023, representing contribution of just over one per cent to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The total production, from marine captures and aquaculture was 14,583.15 metric tons...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, presents a certificate to Nicholette Shaw, a fisher of Discovery Bay Fisherman’s Beach, St. Ann, for participating in training in horizontal line fishing. Ms. Shaw was among 40 fishers presented with certificates at the Discovery Bay Marine Laboratory in the parish on April 17. Seated (from left) are Senior Operations Analyst at the World Bank – Caribbean , Jhanelle-Rae Bowie and Principal Director of the National Fisheries Authorities (NFA), Stephen Smikle .

Fisherfolk at Discovery Bay Beach Certified

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (second left), engages in a light discussion with Director of Projects, Champion Industrial Equipment and Supplies Limited, Courtney Harford (second right), during the $106-million contract signing ceremony for the Agro-Investment Corporation Irrigation Transmission Force Main and Equipping Project, at Ebony Park, Clarendon, at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices in St. Andrew, on April 11. Others (from left) are Chief Executive Officer, Agro-Investment Corporation, Vivion Scully; Programme Lead, The World Bank Group, Emre Ozaltin and Managing Director, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Omar Sweeney.

Support for Farmers Impacted by Drought

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Franklin Witter.

Essex Valley Project to Transform Agriculture, Rural Development – Witter

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, addresses the House of Representatives on Tuesday (April 9).

Support for Farmers Impacted by Dry Conditions

2 years ago Fisheries

Hefty Fine for Persons Found with Lobsters during Closed Season

Persons found with lobsters during the closed season, which runs from April 1 to June 30, 2024, will face a maximum fine of $3 million or two years in prison. The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is reminding Jamaicans that fishing for lobsters, including spiny lobsters, during the closed season is illegal. A recent statement from the Authority noted that persons...

Chief Executive Officer, National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Gavin Bellamy.

2 years ago Fisheries

NFA Urges Declaration of Lobster Possession by April 7

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is reminding Jamaicans to declare their possession of spiny lobsters by April 7. Between April 22 and June 30, 2024, it will be illegal for anyone to have any species of the spiny lobster, or the crustacean’s parts or products in their possession without special permission. NFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Gavin Bellamy, in...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, addresses the recent ground-breaking ceremony for the $574-million fish hatchery in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine.

2 years ago Fisheries

Fish Farmers to Be Trained at Ebony Park Heart Academy

Plans are under way to boost the Tilapia fish industry by training farmers at the Clarendon-based HEART/NSTA Trust Ebony Park Academy and providing free fingerlings. According to Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, the Ministry is putting resources in the Academy to re-establish their fishponds, and “use Ebony Park as a base for the next generation of...

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, addresses a ceremony on March 26, at the AC Mariott Hotel in New Kingston, to announce the certification of Jamaica’s Conch industry, by the Marine Stewardship Council.

2 years ago Fisheries

Conch Industry Attains MSC Certification

Jamaica’s Conch industry is now more sustainable, following the recent attainment of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification, under the Compete Caribbean Project. The certification covers the Industrial Dive Fishery located in the Pedro Bank, the first of its kind for a Conch Fishery, making Jamaica a forerunner in the world. Speaking at a ceremony on March 26 at the...

Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Orville Palmer, delivers a speech on behalf of Minister of State, Hon. Franklin Witter, at the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum on Monday (March 25), at the Medallion Hall Hotel in Kingston.

2 years ago AgricultureCommerceFisheriesIndustryInvestment

Export Platform under JSWIFT 90 Per Cent Complete

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is collaborating with Jamaica Customs to complete the export component of the Jamaica Single Window for Trade (JWIFT) for implementation in the upcoming fiscal year. Minister of State, Hon. Franklin Witter, in a speech read by Chief Technical Director in the Ministry, Orville Palmer, said that the export platform is almost complete. “The...

Project Manager, Promoting Community-based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project, Selena Ledgister.

2 years ago Fisheries

Fishers Trained in Sea Moss and Oyster Production

Several fishers are being trained in sea moss and oyster production under the Promoting Community-Based Climate Resilience (PPCR) in the Fisheries Sector Project. Funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) the training aims to provide alternative livelihoods for fisher folk in communities across the island. Project Manager, Selena Ledgister, told JIS News that over...

2 years ago Fisheries

New Tilapia Hatchery Slated for Completion Later This Year

The new tilapia hatchery under construction in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, is slated for completion towards the end of 2024. The 12,000 sq. ft. facility, being built at a cost of approximately $574 million, is intended to address the major issue of shortages in good-quality seed stock for fish farmers islandwide. Manager for the Promoting Community-based Climate Resilience in the...