Durrant Pate/Contributor

The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is encouraging Jamaican entrepreneurs to go into the production of oysters given existing demand.

The NFA is pointing to a growing local market for oysters, which holds great economic potential for Jamaica. Dr Gavin Bellamy, chief executive officer (CEO) at the NFA, confirmed, “there is a market because in the Corporate Area you will see oysters sold at events, parties and dances, and in food establishments.”

According to Bellamy, “with it (oyster) being on sale regularly, persons will be able to get the product and have good sale of it,” noting that the NFA is focusing its efforts on providing technical and financial support to fishermen cooperatives interested in oyster production. He is advising that interested persons can come into the authority’s office to register and learn about the regulatory process.

Currently, the NFA is targeting oyster production in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland and Green Island in Hanover. Persons interested in oyster production need to operate in a low-tide area or protected bay area to avoid increased wave action.

Good bay areas are normally located on the south and northeastern coasts, including locations in Portland, St Mary and St Thomas.

Pushing Savanna-la-Mar and Green Island

“We are encouraging this production around the island, but I must say that for Savanna-la-Mar and Green Island, they are doing very well. We are encouraging them and providing support, so they can increase the production and produce sufficiently, so we can put additional amounts into the tourism sector and the local market to minimize some of the importation,” Bellamy noted further.

Meanwhile, senior director in the Aquaculture Branch at the NFA, DeHaan Brown, who also spoke with JIS News said oyster production has minimal start-up costs associated with it adding, “our method of culture was developed locally by our scientists here and it uses a method of racks, bamboos and logs.”

Continuing, Brown alerted that “additionally, the young oysters, which are the spats, persons could get them from our facility. The last time we checked, we found that the cost to set up a five-rack system was between J$60,000 and J$70,000.”

Input costs, such as feed, would also be non-existent as oysters are filter feeders. This means they strain and extract suspended food matter in water. “All you have to do is purchase the spats, string them out and wait four or five months and then you will have oysters. It’s that simple,” Brown said.

He contended that persons can find opportunities in value-added oyster products.

“Products like the Oyster punch came out of the NFA’s thrust to drive demand for the product. Another part is a business opportunity of dried oysters and oyster sauces that already exist in developed countries. These can drive our industry forward,” added Brown.