Fisheries sector gets $10 million boost for fishers affected by Hurricane Beryl

Rainforest Caribbean and the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation have jointly donated J$10 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining to aid in post-hurricane recovery efforts for the fisheries sector.

The cheque was presented at the 70th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Denbigh, Clarendon on August 6.

To show its support for the country's fishers, Rainforest Caribbean pledged an initial $5 million that was matched by the NCB Foundation and facilitated by the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange, which has the responsibility of reporting on how the monies donated are spent along with measuring the social impact of any project undertaken using the funds.

The monies were donated as part of the 'Building a Better Jamaica Fund', of which 25 per cent is allotted to agriculture.

Roger Lyn, Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategic Partnerships at Rainforest Caribbean, cited the need to work closely with partners to aid in the quick recovery of the fisheries sector.

“We are very pleased to be on board this initiative. As licensed industrial fishers registered with the NFA, we see it as our responsibility to support any initiative that will rebuild the sector and the lives of the fisherfolk. The quicker that can be done, the quicker our economy can recover, and our fishers will be better able to provide for their families,” Lyn said.

“We want to thank NCB and the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange for being a part of this initiative. We are truly stronger together.”

Meanwhile, Corporate Affairs and Foundation Lead at NCB, Belinda Williams, said that NCB is welcoming of partnerships, as NCB's response is to double the monies received.

She noted, “Rainforest Seafood had a donation to make and instead of doing it alone, they sought to partner with us; and in partnering with us, that $5 million they would have been donating is now up to $10 million because NCB's response is to match the donating funds and give it to the entities.”

Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority, Dr Gavin Bellamy, expressed gratitude to the corporate giants, welcoming every effort to help the nation's fisherfolk get back in their boats.

“We are immensely grateful for the donations made by Rainforest Caribbean and the NCB Foundation. Likewise, we are thankful to the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange for facilitating this process. Their contributions are a demonstration of their commitment to the cause and the work we do. We appreciate their help in improving the lives of our fishers,” Bellamy said.

Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.