Jamaica to Scale Up Boat and Engine Support for Fishers Over Five Years

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining intends to widen its Boat and Equipment Retooling Initiative across the next five years, following what officials describe as a strong finish to the programme’s opening phase through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA).

Portfolio Minister Hon. Floyd Green disclosed that the Administration has set aside a further $66 million in the present budget cycle to buy 20 boats and engines for fishers whose craft were destroyed when Hurricane Melissa struck.

“Over the next five years, we’re going to distribute 20 boats and engines each year. We’re going to help 100 fishers with a brand-new boat and a brand-new engine so that they can restart their lives and support their families,” the Minister added.

He spoke while giving the keynote at International Fisherman’s Day observances on 25 June at Colonel’s Cove in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. The gathering, staged under the theme ‘The Resilient Fisher’, honoured the grit, flexibility, and work of Jamaica’s fisherfolk in strengthening national food security and the blue economy as the industry keeps rebuilding after Hurricanes Melissa and Beryl.

Minister Green also said the Government of India will back the effort with 20 more boats and engines through the Hurricane Recovery Programme.

“These are being shipped to Jamaica. So in another month or so, they will be here… and we will go through and do that distribution,” he added.

The Minister pointed to continued public spending on upgrading the sector through the Fishing Beach Redevelopment Programme. He said $88 million has already gone toward improvements at fishing beaches in St. Mary and at White House in Westmoreland.

At the same time, Mr. Green urged fishers to sign up for training the NFA offers to sharpen their skills and raise their income.

“We are going to provide you with the training for you to go further out to do long-line fishing. We’re also going to provide you with the training for you to handle the fish when you catch it, so that the quality of the fish is better when you’re landing, and you can get a better return on your investment,” he said.