Tangible Results from Community-Based Fisheries Project

Significant strides are being made in strengthening Jamaica’s fisheries industry under the Promoting Community-Based Climate Resilience in the Fisheries Sector Project.

Being funded through a US$4.85-million grant from the World Bank, the project is the first of its kind in Jamaica, with the aim of promoting sustainable fisheries management in targeted fishing communities, ensuring a more resilient and prosperous future for the sector.

It is being implemented by the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.

“We are grateful for this grant because it is making a big impact across the fishing sector in Jamaica and, by extension, the Caribbean,” said Project Manager, Selena Ledgister.

The project is structured into three key components – strengthening aquaculture and fisheries policies and regulations, promoting alternative fisheries-based livelihoods, and raising awareness about sustainable fishing practices.

It is already yielding tangible results with work under way to develop a state-of-the-art hatchery at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, through investment of approximately $574 million.

This initiative is being executed in collaboration with the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), which is overseeing the hatchery’s construction.

When operating at full capacity, the hatchery will be able to produce up to five million advanced tilapia fry (young fish) per year for distribution to fish farmers.

“Over the years, aquaculture would have had a precipitous decline in tilapia production… . We’re moving from a million fingerlings per year to targeting five million advanced fry annually. That’s a huge impact for the aquaculture industry,” Ms. Ledgister noted.

Beyond hatchery development, the project includes sea moss production in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, valued at US$165,000, and oyster farming in Green Island, Hanover and Russia, Westmoreland, with a total investment of US$325,000.

It also supports ornamental fish farming, with 10 farmers benefiting from more than US$105,000 in funding.

In addition, ecotourism initiatives aimed at sustaining fish sanctuaries have been rolled out in St. Elizabeth with an investment of US$113,000.

Another critical aspect of the project is the revitalisation of tilapia fish farming at Ebony Park. Investments have been made in infrastructure, including state-of the-art facilities for three fishponds and modern equipment to increase tilapia production.

“We stocked these ponds in July last year, and…. they [recently] harvested the first set of fish,” Ms. Ledgister reported.

With climate change posing an increasing threat to the fisheries sector, the project also focuses on building resilience in the industry.

“We all know climate change is no debate anymore and so, we’re looking at ways in which we can empower and strengthen the fisheries sector,” Ms. Ledgister said.