NATIONAL Security Minister Robert Montague says there needs to be increased co-operation between Jamaica and the United States (US) in order to improve maritime and port security.

Speaking at a Port Security seminar a Colin Powell Plaza, St Andrew, June 1, the minister said this is necessary to improve economic growth and exploit the enormous possibilities which exist for expanding maritime trade.

Montague said Jamaica is cognisant of its vulnerability to various threats that originate from the international environment and that the countermeasures which are relevant will require the strengthening of efforts between the relevant maritime and port entities of both countries.

“The Ministry of National Security has directly taken the lead on several initiatives to promote port and maritime security, thereby ensuring adequate presence and requisite deployment of maritime law enforcement bodies that fall under the remit of the ministry,” he noted.

These law enforcement bodies include the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, the Marine Police and the immigration officers who, collectively, secure the nation against narcotics trafficking, illicit trafficking in firearms, threats to port security, piracy, immigration violations and poaching of marine produce, such as conch and lobster.

Other ministry-led initiatives include: improving the capacity of port screeners to screen for, detect and identify firearm and component parts, and maintaining oversight for security systems that protect port environments.

Amendments to the Maritime Drug Trafficking Suppression Act, which seek to further reduce maritime drug trafficking, were also passed in both Houses of Parliament.

“We can all agree that more needs to be done by Government to provide greater funding to the operational entities, but there is no doubt that their efforts over the years have been heroic, given the resources available to them, and deserve our respect and commendations,” Montague said.

For his part, United States ambassador to Jamaica Luis G Moreno said the US is Jamaica’s largest trading partner, and it is in his country’s national interest to ensure that trade is safe, secure and legal.