Fishing in Jamaica - Safeguarding The Jamaica Fishing Industry

by Patrice
(Jamaica)

QUESTION:
1. What are the different fishing Laws we have in Jamaica with regards to safeguarding our Fishing Industry?

2. Can you give me some recommendations on how to fix to problems with fishing in Jamaican waters?

3. What can I write about the Lion fish as it have to do with the fishing industry?

Can you help me with the answers to these questions please and I thank you.

ANSWER: by Devin, March 24, 2013


Hi Patrice,

The Jamaica’s Fishing Industry Act of 1976 is the legal documentation used in safeguarding the island’s fishing industry. This Act not only safeguards what happens within the confines of our waters, but it also stipulates the regulations regarding registration and licensing of boats and fisher folks and gives the Minister in charge of such portfolio to regulate and declare sanctuaries and the opening and closing of seasons for catching particular species of sea creatures.

Fines and confinements are also stipulated under this Act as it relates to persons who are found breaking the laws. The marine coastguards, an arm of The Jamaica Defense Force, protects the Jamaican waters and ensure that the Act is adhered to by all who traverse our waters.

The fact that there is a fisheries Act in place to protect our fishing industry, it would be in the interest of individuals to report instances where they think the actions of others may prove a dangerous to the industry or the Jamaican waters rather than trying to correct them on their own.

However, posting reminders in areas where fishing seasons have been declared opened and closed along with reminders of how fishing is to be conducted, especially where individuals tend to poison bodies of water or use electricity in the water to kill or shock fishes and other sea creatures, are ways in which the average person can help protect the fishing industry.

Education is the key, especially as it relates to the disposal of waste – whether solids or liquids, the preventing and cleaning of oil spills, and as long as individuals are educated as to the principles and practices involved in the act, then they would be better able to protect our waters.

There is a school of thought that the lionfish ((Pterois volitans), entered Caribbean waters in in 1992 with the passing of Hurricane Andrew and soon took over our reefs as they found them to be a safe habitat. They fed on smaller fishes and crustaceans and multiplied and migrated all over the Caribbean waters.

They have been found to be good for consumption once their venomous spawns on their backs have been removed. It must be noted that these fishes not only prey on smaller fishes and the fisher persons’ catch but they also secrete poisonous venom which can be released in people and this is dangerous.

This threat also allows them to multiply and migrate closer to our shores and may soon threaten the tourism sector as it relates to the beaches if something is not done to eradicate them from our waters.

An appeal is out for all concerned individuals who may have ideas on how to help rid our waters of the lionfish to submit their ideas to the following site: www. mbmp.org.

Hope this helps!

See also: Fishing In Jamaica & Fishing Charters In Jamaica

Regards,
Devin, for My-Island-Jamaica.com

See Also: The Jamaica Travel Guide.

Note: Remember that this Q&A will also be posted on our popular facebook fan page so I am inviting you to follow the responses over there as well. Our address is target="new">http://facebook.com/myislandjamaica

Regards,
Wellesley

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