Increased Focus on Fisheries and Mining

The Government will be building on the recovery and growth in fisheries and mining in the new financial year.

Custos of Kingston, Hon. Steadman Fuller, provided the details while delivering the Throne Speech to open the 2025/26 Parliamentary Year at Gordon House on Thursday (February 13).

He was deputising for Governor General His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

Custos Fuller, in highlighting the remarkable recovery in mining last year, noted that the sector rebounded to pre-COVID levels, with 5.3 million metric tonnes of bauxite and 2.87 million metric tonnes of industrial minerals exported.

He said the development represents a significant achievement as the sector returned to full strength after the challenges posed by the pandemic.

Turning to fisheries, Custos Fuller said that investments in alternative fisheries and aquaculture yielded 663 metric tonnes of production in 2024.

Export expansion initiatives target a 25 per cent increase through export clinics, pest-free zones, and value-added products.

“These initiatives are expected to strengthen Jamaica’s position in the global fisheries market,” Custos Fuller noted.

Meanwhile, Custos Fuller announced key measures, including legislative reforms to ensure continued growth across these key agricultural industries.

These include amendments to the Praedial Larceny Act, replacement of the Plants (Quarantine) Act with the Plant Health Act and the Minerals Industry Act.

In addition, an Agribusiness Cold Chain Initiative will be implemented to provide modern, cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses by up to 30 per cent.

A total of 200 wardens will be engaged to protect farmers and their livelihoods under an Agricultural Wardens Programme.

The Government will continue to focus on building resilience and sustainable development to ensure that the agricultural sector will remain a key contributor to the nation’s economic recovery and long-term prosperity.