The Agro-Investment Corporation (Agro-Invest) and the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering sustainable development and enhancing investment opportunities within the fisheries industry.

Both parties signed the document in a ceremony held on May 12 at Agro-Invest’s headquarters on Spanish Town Road in St Andrew, thus solidifying the strategic partnership geared towards strengthening and advancing aquaculture in Jamaica. The agreement focuses on the development of a 300-acre aquaculture agro-park at Amity Hall in St Catherine.

According to Vivion Scully, CEO of Agro-Invest, “This collaboration represents a pivotal step towards modernising Jamaica’s aquaculture industry and expanding our agricultural value chain. We are excited to work alongside the National Fisheries Authority to attract both local and international investments that will create jobs, strengthen food security, and boost economic growth.”

Under the terms of the MoU, Agro-Invest will:

• Facilitate project development, including Public Investment Appraisal Branch submissions for the Amity Hall Aquaculture Project.
• Identify and assess investment opportunities within the fisheries sector.
• Connect potential investors with projects, offering financial analysis and market linkages.
• Facilitate training programmes to improve the technical skills of fish farmers.
• Provide technical support, including monitoring and evaluation to ensure successful project implementation.

Meanwhile, the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) will:

• Fund the design consultancy for the preliminary design of the Amity Hall Aquaculture Project, estimated at JMD 1.2 million.
• Supply high-quality broodstock, fry, and seedstock to investors, subject to availability.
• Deploy field officers to provide technical guidance on pond setup, species selection, feed management, disease prevention, and capacity-building training sessions.
• Support the operational readiness of the National Tilapia Hatchery, currently under development at Twickenham Park, St. Catherine. The state-of-the-art facility will produce up to five million advanced tilapia fry annually, leveraging recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and solar energy integration to ensure climate resilience and biosecurity. The hatchery will be a critical resource for supplying quality fry to fish farmers across the island, ultimately improving productivity and reducing reliance on imports.

This initiative is expected to drive growth, increase local fish production, and reduce Jamaica’s seafood imports.

This MoU also establishes a joint committee comprising representatives from Agro-Invest and NFA to oversee the strategic direction, resource management, and administration of the aquaculture agro-park. This committee will be responsible for determining leasing arrangements for fish farmers, ensuring fair and transparent access to the facility.

Dr Gavin Bellamy, CEO of the National Fisheries Authority, noted that the establishment of the Aquaculture Agro-Park is a “game-changer for Jamaica’s fisheries sector.

“This partnership will help small-scale fish farmers thrive while enhancing sustainable practices that protect our marine resources,” he continued.

This strategic partnership supports the Government of Jamaica’s national priorities to advance sustainable agriculture and fisheries, with a focus on economic prosperity and strengthened food security. Agro-Invest and NFA are confident that their collaboration will deliver meaningful benefits to local communities and play a critical role in transforming Jamaica’s agricultural and aquaculture landscape.