FISHERMEN who operate along the east harbour in Port Antonio, Portland, are adamant they will not move until a suitable location is identified for them to continue their livelihood when the Port Authority develops the area next year in order to attract bigger cruise ships.

They said they were willing to make way for development, but only if they could be relocated to a suitable location, similar to where they are now.

Mayor of Port Antonio Benny White said although the fishermen would have to leave to facilitate expansion of the port, which is to begin as early as next year, there was no clear indication where they would be relocated to.

“We had some discussions with the Port Authority who are saying they can get bigger ships carrying up to 5,000 tourists to visit Port Antonio twice

per month, but they would have to develop the east harbour,” White told the Observer.

The mayor said the parish council, of which he is chairman, has been asked to clean up the fishing village area before the development can begin.

“It is something we will have to get done but it is not easy as that because over the years people are there earning a living and so we just cannot go and say you have to leave,” he said.

The mayor said it would be even more difficult considering that some fishermen who were removed to facilitate the development of the marina were never relocated. “They were promised they would get help to relocate, but that was not done, so unless they can come up with something we are going to have a problem,” he said.

He said, however, that the development was good for the parish and as such a way must be found to make the east harbour available to facilitate the development.

One fisherman who asked to be referred to only as ‘Busha’ said some of his colleagues have been at that site for more than 20 years. He said although they have heard rumours of the impending move, they were yet to be officially informed.

“I think development is necessary but they need to make a suitable place for us fishermen,” he told the Observer. He added that suggestions have been made to have them relocated to another beach area known as Sawquit, however, the spot is too small to accommodate the more than 50 fishermen.

He argued that when they first occupied the site, it was a very small beach which was covered in grass, and over time the sea came farther inland and took a lot of the vegetation out to sea, creating a bigger beach.

A business operator along the stretch who only gave her name as Jackie was also adamant that suitable facilities must be identified before they leave. “They must find a suitable place to put the fishermen, if not what are they going to do for a livelihood,” she said.

She further argued: “when here so did under sea why them never come up ya come dump it up? And now when poor people come clean it up and a try make a living that is when them want it”.

Still adamant that fishermen would not leave, Jackie said: “Me no live pon the beach but me have a little shop here and them cyaan come push we off because some a them man here a fish from them born and a send them pickney go school and this is them only source.”

Busha said since getting word of the impending development, fishermen had a meeting to discuss suggestions among themselves to present to the relevant persons when they are formally approached.

He said a suggestion has been made for a relocation to Bryan Bay, however, this was not an ideal location, considering it already had its capacity of fishermen and vendors.

“.We can’t be pushed off the land by any individual or government without some proper arrangements made,”

said Busha.