Adrian Frater, News Editor
( L - R ) JUMP AND PETERKIN
WESTERN BUREAU:
IF PROPERLY exploited, Jamaica could earn as much as US$100 million (J$6.5 billion) from the exotic delicacy, the Diamond Back Squid, which local fishermen have been spotting in abundance off the country's north coast for the past 20 years.
However, according to Troy Jump, president of the White-house Fisherfolk Cooperative Ltd., because of government's ineptitude, the industry remains vastly untapped. This is despite the expressed willingness of the Japanese government to help develop the industry.
"We have been seeking government assistance for the past four years but all we have been encountering is obstacle after obstacle," said Mr. Jump, who was speaking Tuesday at a Gleaner Editors' Forum in Montego Bay, St. James.
"The Japanese are here and have been assisting us to understand the industry better but we can't do it on our own, we need government input to develop a proper industry," continued Mr. Jump. "Japan earned over US$100 million from their squid industry last year and we could do the same."
Squid are a large, diverse group of marine molluscs, a delicacy also known as calamari in English-speaking countries.
"Squid attract a price of US$20 (J$1,300) per pound," said Mr. Jump, who noted that a single squid could weigh as much as 80 pounds. "Having seen the vast amount of squid we have here on the north coast, the Japanese are terribly excited about getting into business with us."
In looking at the potential economic benefit to the country, Horace Peterkin, president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), who has been working closely with the fishing group, said he is convinced that there are millions of dollars to earn from a properly developed squid industry.
"The potential is awesome," said Mr. Peterkin. "If properly developed, this industry could solve all the problems now facing the local fishing industry."
In speaking to the specific areas of government assistance being sought, Mr. Jump explained that while the acquisition of larger boats and better equipment was critical, the area of greatest need was the development of a processing plant on lands the cooperative got as a gift back in 1962, but has no title for.
He said: "We have been trying to get the title for the past four years but we have not been successful because of the unwillingness of the Ministry of Agriculture to assist us. The Japanese are willing to go into a partnership with us but we need to have a processing plant."
According to Mr. Peterkin, the financial possibilities to Jamaica are limitless as the total squid casting (cocoons that burst open to release new eggs) found in Japan is only about 10 per cent of what local fishermen have been spotting off the island's north coast.
