NFA Urges Fishers to Get Licensed

Fishers who are not licensed with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) are being encouraged to take steps to become compliant with the law.

Speaking with JIS News, Principal Director for Fisheries Compliance, Licensing and Statistics Division at the NFA, Dr. Zahra Oliphant, said that “according to the Fisheries Act of 2018, a fisher is defined as someone who is so licensed to fish”.

As such, she said, “If you are fishing and you are not licensed to do so by law, you are not a fisher.

“We are inviting everyone who is interested in fishing to visit the NFA,” she urged.

Dr. Oliphant told JIS News that fishers are required to have two licences – one for themselves (an individual licence) and the other for their fishing vessel (vessel licence).

“Once you are using a vessel… traps, nets or whatever other type of fishing that does not fall into that exemption category, then you require a licence. So, I encourage everyone who is interested in becoming a fisher by law to do so the correct way and get your licence today,” she urged.

Dr. Oliphant said that the only exemption in the law applies to persons who are fishing with a single rod and a single line from the shoreline or from the riverbank.

In 2023, the NFA issued 9,576 licences, authorisations and permits covering both individuals and vessels.

The number represents an increase of 35 per cent and seven per cent, respectively, in the quantity of vessel and individual licences issued over the previous year.

The entity is anticipating an increase in the number of licensed fisherfolk as persons seek to become complaint with the law.

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.

For details on how to obtain a fishing licence, persons can call (876) 927-1731-50.