Robert Lalah, Staff ReporterWITH AN estimated $610 million needed to resuscitate the island's fishing sector, Havlan Honeygan, chairman of the Jamaica Fisherman's Coopera-tive Union, is appealing for a government subsidy to assist fishermen in making fish pots to replace thousands which were destroyed by Hurricane Ivan.
Mr. Honeygan made the appeal yesterday during a Gleaner Editors' Forum held at the company's North Street offices, central Kingston. The forum focused on the impact of Hurricane Ivan on the local agricultural sector and sought to stimulate ideas about how to help move the sector forward.
ASTRONOMICAL
Describing the loss to the fishing industry as "astronomical", Mr. Honeygan said the exact amount the sector will need to recover is still unclear, adding that data are slow in coming. He suggested that the estimated $610 million would bring the industry back to where it was before the hurricane. Of this amount, $240 million would be used to purchase 40,000 rolls of mesh wire alone.
Said Honeygan: "A roll of mesh wire costs $6,000. We would like the Government to subsidise with even $2,000... there could be a limit of say, five rolls of wire per person."
