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Much improvement being made to Jamaica’s fisheries infrastructure

Durrant Pate/ Contributor

Jamaica is implementing a ticketing system for specific fisheries offences, similar to what is done for trafficking infractions. 

Agriculture Minister, Floyd Green, who made the announcement in parliament earlier this week said the new system is being facilitated through a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Tax Administration of Jamaica and the Ministry of National Security, which will be signed by this July.

This will enable the NFA to join the government’s Traffic Information Management System (TiMS), which will allow enforcement officers to issue tickets for specific fisheries offences. 

Ticketable fisheries offences

·      Failure to report a fishing vessel that is lost, becomes permanently unserviceable and is no longer seaworthy will attract a fine of $50,000 

·      Failure to stow fishing gear in the Natprescribed manner will attract a fine of $50,000 

·      Failure to take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of a fishery inspector will attract a fine of $100,000

·      Failure to comply with a lawful enquiry or requirement made by a fishery inspector will attract a fine of $100,000

·      Leaving or depositing, or causing to be left or deposited on the shore of any bank of any water, remains or offal will attract a fine of $50,000 

·      Leaving decayed or dying fish in any net or other fishing equipment will attract a fine of $50,000

·      Organising or causing to be organised a recreational activity without approval will attract a fine of $100,000

Minister Green disclosed, ” The new system to be launched by September of this year will allow for offenders to pay a fine upfront without having to go to court. However, failure to pay the fine will result in offenders facing the court at the prescribed date, where they will be subject to the discretion of the honourable judge. We are serious about compliance in our fisheries ecosystem.“

The NFA has also strengthened compliance and enforcement with the recent launch in November 2025 of a Compliance Dashboard. This system allows verified enforcement partners to include NFA, Jamaica Defence Force, Jamaica Constabulary Force, and Jamaica Customs to search and verify the licence status of persons they interact with in the field. 

Since the strengthening of the NFA Compliance Branch and integration of the dashboard, the data shows that 78% of persons who are checked for licences are compliant. Cases of non-compliance have been referred for prosecution. 

Upgrading of fishing beaches

Through the NFA’s Fishing Beach Infrastructure Development Programme, fishing beaches are upgraded with six being completed over the last two years. They are located in Black River, Parottee, Salem, Pagee, Great Bay and Portland Cottage.

These renovations included repairs to the fish markets, gear sheds and bathroom facilities, improvements to the sewerage systems, and the installation of solar-powered lighting to enhance safety and security on the beach. All of this was done at a total cost of over J$88 million. 

During this financial year, the Whitehouse Fishing Beach complex, which was damaged by Hurricane Melissa is being renovated at an estimated cost of $34 million. The Minister announced that the NFA has leased offices at the Artisan Village in Trelawny to support the establishment of a sub-office to provide the requisite support and services in that region. 

The NFA has also acquired 2 additional properties, one in Barham Wharf in Westmoreland and the other in Green Island, Hanover, to establish fishing beach complexes that will enhance the service delivery to fisherfolk. Through the Boat and Equipment Retooling Initiative, specifically under the Fisheries Production Incentive Programme, some 20 boats and 20 engines valuing $50 million, suitable for pelagic fishing and mariculture activities, have been distributed to youth fishers across the island. 

During this fiscal year, the Agriculture Ministry will be distributing an additional 20 boats and 20 engines valued at $66 million to fisherfolk across the island. The NFA, which currently owns and operates 14 fuel stations across the country, will be prioritising an additional 2 stations in Trelawny and Portland this fiscal year. 

Update Aquaculture Park at Mitchell Town 

Minister Green updated the parliament on the Mitchell Town Aquaculture Centre of Excellence project, which has now been approved under the Public Investment Advisory Board. The 200-acre project will now move to the business case and design phase. 

In the meantime, the ministry has leased a 330-acre property at Toll Gate, which has been approved for a similar project, with the development process now being far advanced. Similarly, the NFA has expressed serious interest in having the Barton Isle property in St. Elizabeth, with its 300-acre fish farm, handed over to be used exclusively for aquaculture production. 

These two properties in the past produced up to 6000 metric tonnes of fresh, good-quality tilapia for domestic and export markets.