The government of Jamaica has approved a JMD 120 million (USD 822,000, EUR 681,000) economic relief package for its beleaguered fishing sector, which has struggled due to economic complications caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Portfolio Minister Floyd Green told Jamaica’s Parliament in November the industry faced USD 23 million (EUR 19 million) in losses for the year. The money will be split between the 4,740 individuals registered as fishermen in the country, to be used for gear upgrades, the National Fisheries Authority for an incentive program, and grants to the country’s aquaculture sector, which includes 72 fish farming operations, according to the Jamaica Gleaner.
Green also announced the country had received a new patrol boat to be used to increase its enforcement capacity against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, with a focus on ensuring no fishing takes place in Jamaica’s 17 marine sanctuary zones.
The seven-person capacity patrol unit is valued at USD 165,000 (EUR 136,000) and was funded by the World Bank, the Gleaner reported.
Last year, Jamaican authorities made 33 arrests in connection with illegal harvesting of hundreds of kilograms of conch and lobster.
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