THE MINISTRY of Agriculture's Fisheries Division is developing a policy framework to achieve growth and sustainability in the fishing sector.The project which is being funded by the Government of Jamaica and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to the tune of US$341,000 (JA $20.5 million) will be implemented between January and March of next year.
Dubbed the "Policy Framework and Strategic Plan for Sustainable Fisheries in Jamaica", the project has three components, including a review of the status of the fisheries sector.
As part of the project, experts from the Fisheries Division and the FAO met with stakeholders, including fishermen, equipment distributors, consumers and representatives from governmental and non-governmental organisations to discuss some of the issues affecting the sector.
A DRAFT POLICY DOCUMENT
Emanating from the discussions, a draft policy document reflecting sustainable fisheries management strategies will be formulated and emphasis would be placed on developing the 'capture'(sea) and 'culture' (pond/inland) fishing sub-sectors.
In an interview with the Jamaica Information Service, the Government's information agency, Stephen Smikle, Director of the marine branch of the Fisheries Division, said that fish catches have decreased significantly. He said that in 1962 some 11,000 tonnes of fish were caught, however 2001 figures show that the catch had dipped to 5,000 tonnes. At the same time, he said the number of fishermen has moved from 8,000 to 14,000.
"These figures are showing that the situation is not sustainable, it can't continue", said Mr. Smikle.
And he said that environmental degradation and over-fishing were the main contributing factors for the reduction in fish production.
