THE FISHERIES Division of the Ministry of Agriculture is currently inviting interested persons to apply for licences and quotas, for the 2004 conch fishing season, which will commence on January 5 and close on June 30.
Application forms may be collected at the Fisheries Division on Marcus Garvey Drive in Kingston and should be submitted to the Licensing Authority by December 29, 2003.
APPLICATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED
Applications will be required to meet the conditions outlined in the Fishing Industry Act, 1975 and the Aquaculture, Inland and Marine Products and By-Products (Inspec-tion, Licensing and Export) Act, 1999.
Among other things, these conditions require applications to be accompanied by a certified copy of a valid licence to fish, and a valid Food Handler's Permit for the applicant, as well as all other fishers he/she plans on using. Applications should also include proof that the vessels to be used in fishing have satisfied all the necessary requirements.
In considering applications for the allocation of an individual conch quota, the Licensing Authority will take into account whether the applicant is a Jamaican citizen, who is duly licensed to fish. The applicant's ability to demonstrate a history of involvement and investment in the local conch industry will also be taken into consideration, as well as any other matter considered to be relevant to the application.
Applicants for the grant of individual quotas are also required to provide documentary evidence from the Ministry's Veterinary Services Division, indicating their storage capacity and compliance with HACCP standards. Applicants will also need to prove ownership of motor vessels to be used in conch fishing, through a valid Certificate of Registry issued by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).
