KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) recently unveiled layout designs for a new fishing village to be established at Sector M East, Port Henderson Road (Back Road) in St Catherine.

UDC said that the new fishing village will replace the informal settlement called the Forum Fishing Village located on the Forum Beach.

According to the UDC occupants of this informal settlement, including fisher-folk, commercial interests and residents, are required to vacate the beach as a result of the sale of the Forum Hotel in January 2014.

In a sensitisation session held Wednesday, July 9 at the Forum Beach, the UDC team, led by general manager Desmond Malcolm, showed occupiers of the Forum Fishing Village, the layout of the new fishing village which will accommodate fishing interests and commercial enterprises, the UDC said in a release, adding that the facility will not accommodate residencies.

The UDC said the proposed fishing village will include facilities for fisher-folk to comprise a gear shed for storage of equipment; a separate fish-scaling area; a mooring section; and on-site fuel storage section.

Amenities for commercial entities will include 12 x 12 units to accommodate each commercial interest which was at the previous location. UDC will provide foundation for the structures and connection for utilities.

In addition, there will be proper parking facilities; separate bathrooms and shower facilities; a garbage collection area and an approved sewerage disposal system.