Foreign Affairs Minister warns against illegal fishing on high seas

The Government of Jamaica is designing a policy dealing with fisherfolk in distress at sea amid concerns regarding Jamaican fishermen being detained at sea.

Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, has indicated that her ministry will be collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to establish a policy on how to address and treat with these matters.

Her comments come, given the recent case of 34 Jamaicans who were believed to have been fishing illegally in Colombian waters and have been detained by the local authorities.

Johnson Smith cited the need for such a policy, noting that, over the last several years, her ministry has facilitated the repatriation of scores of fishermen, who found themselves in situations of distress at sea in other countries in the region.

FULL POLICY NEEDED TO TREAT WITH WITH SUCH MATTERS

These include 28 fishers, who were repatriated after their boat exploded off the coast of Colombia, as well as others who have been detained for fishing illegally or held in other criminal activities. The minister told the Senate last week during her contribution to the State of the Nation Debate that the ad hoc manner in which these matters are handled are no longer practical.

According to her, “although we hope they will not continue to multiply, we do believe that we are in circumstances where we can no longer treat them in an ad hoc manner. We need a full policy… to treat with such matters going forward.”

STRONGEST WARNING ISSUED

While calling on fisherfolk to operate responsibly on the high seas, the minister issued a stern warning that persons caught fishing illegally could face imprisonment overseas.

“Illegal fishing is a major international issue. Vessels are seized – that’s part of a judicial process, crew is liable to be imprisoned, again a judicial process. These are not political processes in which governments can engage. If a decision is taken to commence that process, it becomes very difficult,” the minister stated.

She urged boat owners to insure their vessels against damage, loss, seizure and importantly ensure the care and protection of crew members.

Johnson Smith contended: “It is not responsible to send people’s children out on the high seas without consideration of the risks and the protection needed, and when they fall into distress to say, ‘well the Government must’. You have a responsibility, as well, and I want to call on them to be more thoughtful in this regard.”

In the meantime, Johnson Smith noted that her ministry is hopeful of a positive result from the case involving the 34 Jamaicans believed to have been fishing illegally in Colombian waters.

“There are eight other persons on the vessels who are non-nationals but who are claiming relationships to persons in Jamaica. We have engaged with the owner of the vessels, and we are working with our embassy and our Colombian partners to process the crew for repatriation to Jamaica… . We are hopeful of a positive result,” she told the Upper House of the Jamaican parliament.