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 valued at US$195.3 million.

Principal Director for the Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division at the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Zahra Oliphant, said the contribution of the sector “is significant”.

“Fisheries contribution to the agriculture sector accounted for 12.79 per cent, while our contribution to the total GDP at the end of 2023 was 1.04 per cent. This is the first time in several years that we have gotten to at least one per cent contribution to GDP,” she noted.

Dr. Oliphant was providing an update on activities in the fisheries sector at a JIS Think Tank on Wednesday (April 24) at the agency’s head office in Kingston.

In recent years, the NFA has implemented several incentive programmes, which have increased the activity of fishers in diverse and non-traditional areas of the sector, including the production of sea moss and sea cucumber.

The Authority has also updated how the fisheries product is valued by reassessing its measurement systems to improve how data is captured in relation to the GDP contribution from the sector.

Meanwhile, the NFA also saw an upturn in licensing activity in 2023.

There were increases of 35 per cent and seven per cent, respectively, in the number of vessel licences and individual licences issued over the previous year.

Dr. Oliphant credited the growth to the work of the extension and compliance officers across the country.

“We have compliance officers stationed across the island, and with this increased capacity what we have seen is that there are more opportunities for persons to dialogue with the NFA because our representatives are available. We also have in-field licensing sessions that take place at least twice per month,” she pointed out.

“The licensing and registration branch of the NFA goes to the fishing beaches and into the communities and they conduct licensing sessions right on spot. These are some of the interventions that have led to us seeing an increase in the numbers,” she told JIS News.

The NFA is responsible for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of Jamaica’s fisheries resources in a manner that ensures optimum social and economic benefits to the country.

This is achieved through proper fisheries management involving research, monitoring of environmental quality, education and training, enforcement, licensing and registration, data collection and community outreach.