St James & Hanover to set up Fish Sanctuaries: Minister Floyd Green

Kingston, Jamaica: The Minister of Agriculture, Floyd Green, made an announcement to build Fish Sanctuaries in St James and Hanover during a stakeholder engagement session held at St James on January 17, 2024.

It is to be noted that Minister Green stated that fishing near the coast has declined, and the sanctuary will try to address this problem by initiating the fish sanctuary project.

“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”, explained Jamaica Agriculture Minister Green.

Moreover, the ministry will be collaborating with other non-governmental groups for this project. The nation will make a comeback with the construction of the fish sanctuaries, and it will offer many opportunities for the fishermen to earn their livelihood.

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

Noting this, Richard Bowen, a Chairman of the River Bay Fisherman’s Club, expressed his delight in this initiative as it will involve local fishermen and boost aqua agriculture.

“It is a very good idea, as long as they involve the local fishermen. Sometimes, what I noticed 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 in their decision-making with the sanctuary”, stated the Fisherman’s Club Chairman.

Further, the sanctuary at St James and Hanover will help protect fishermen who might violate the lobster fishing laws by accident when they try to catch fish and end up with a few lobsters in their trap. These individuals are not financially secure enough to pay the exorbitant $3 million fine.

Thus, the establishment of such a sanctuary would not only protect wildlife and help maintain the efficacy of fishing laws but also protect fishermen from unwanted or accidental fines.  

According to Bowen, there are no shallows in the area to hold the fish, so they have to go further into the field. Their work is more difficult than in other fishing villages in Jamaica. It is dangerous as it requires more equipment and better boats; the man in the canoe will be blown away by the wind and killed.