Fish sanctuaries this year for St James and Hanover

Fish sanctuaries are to be built in St James and Hanover later this year, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green, indicated this afternoon.

Green made the announcement at a stakeholder engagement session in St James.

Speaking with The Gleaner, Green said there has been a depletion in near shore fishing and the sanctuaries will seek to address the issue.

"We are focused on rebuilding the natural ecosystem of the area. So we are focusing on rebuilding the coral reefs, and once you do that and you have a no-fish zone, you will see fish come back into the area as their natural habitat. We don't choose what comes in, what we do is do the protections and the wardens that work to keep it as a no-fish zone," Green explained.

He stated that the ministry will work with non-governmental groups to build the sanctuaries.

"We want to nurture so that when they do come back and start to go out, our fishermen can get better catch," he added.

Reacting to the news, Chairman of the River Bay Fisherman's Club, Richard Bowen, told The Gleaner that this is a welcomed initiative.

"It is a very good idea, as long as they involve the local fishermen. Sometimes, what I notice about the marine division is that they make decisions without notifying the local fisher folk. That is one of the most detrimental things not involving the fisherfolk into their decision-making with the sanctuary," Bowen said.

According to Bowen, the sanctuary will help to protect fishing.

"The National Fisheries Authority, for example, if you violate the lobster fishing and you have a local fisherman, who is so poor, that he catches fish with some lobster, it is a $3 million fine. They can't afford that so bringing in the sanctuary is a good idea because it will protect the fish and protect fishing," he added.

Bowen noted that River Bay fisherfolk are been having challenges. 

"There is no shallow ground in our area to harbour fishes so we have to go further out. They have a harder job than other fishing villages in Jamaica. It is dangerous, it requires more equipment and better boats; a man in a canoe, the wind will blow him away and kill him," Bowen said.

- Ashley Anguin 

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