The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), partnered with Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Jakes Hotel, and the Sandals Foundation to distribute over 900 rolls of fishing wire to registered fishers across parishes severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

With the initiative valued at more than $19 million, the NFA allocated $5.2 million, as JSIF, Jakes Hotel, and the Sandals Foundation donated the remainder.

So far, the distribution has reached communities including Alligator Pond in Manchester; Pagee, Oracabessa, Boscobel, Robin’s Bay, and Annotto Bay in St Mary; 7-Mile and 9-Mile in St Andrew; Hunt’s Bay, New Forum, and Old Harbour in St Catherine; Calabash Bay, Frenchmans, Billy’s Bay, Great Bay, Fort Charles, Slipe, Parrotee Bay, and Black River in St Elizabeth; and Whitehouse in Westmoreland.

Chief Executive Officer of NFA Dr Gavin Bellamy emphasised that the effort aims to restore livelihoods, increase productivity, and strengthen community resilience.

“This intervention is more than just replacing gear; it is about restoring hope and economic stability for our fishers,” he explained.

“By getting these fishers back on the water, we are not only helping them provide for their families but also ensuring a continued supply of fish for local markets and the nation,” he added.

In a complementary effort, the Sandals Foundation provided 6,720 litres of UltraTec 90 gasoline to fishers at Whitehouse Fishing Beach on Friday, November 28, further supporting their recovery.

The NFA introduced additional relief measures to include a six-month moratorium on licensing and ID fees, effective November 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026, with early uptake reported among fishers in Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, and Westmoreland.

As part of ongoing recovery assessments, teams from the NFA have evaluated damage at Black River, Galleon, and Whitehouse Fishing Beaches, as well as the NFA’s Black River outstation. These assessments, conducted with support from Manpower Maintenance Services Ltd., will guide cleanup and rehabilitation efforts.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, together with the NFA, remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders to promote safety, sustainability, and long-term resilience within Jamaica’s fishing industry.