#TrackingMatthew: Fishers have taken the necessary precautions, says Kong
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica’s director of fisheries, Andrew Kong,said that fishers across the island have, for the most part, taken the necessary precautions against the possible effects of Hurricane Matthew.
“I spoke to a fisher who left the Pedro Cay last night and he told me that 99 per cent of the people have left; by his estimation probably about 10 or 12 people are left on the cay at that time, but all around the country fishers have been preparing [for the hurricane],” Kong said. “I can tell you about Old Harbour Bay, Rae Town, Greenwich Town, Chiney Beach in Rockfort, and Whitehouse. All of my reports are that fishers have been taking up all their vessels as far as possible,” Kong told the OBSERVER ONLINE today.
However, while noting that he is satisfied with the level of preparedness, Kong said fishers at Greenwich Town Fishing Beach in Kingston has been receiving challenges as a result of their location.
“Fishers has limitation here, if you look at Greenwich Town there are limitations in terms of land space and the boats have taken up… they are a little bit too close to the shore for my comfort. I have noticed that they have tied them up to the wall, which is a good move but what I notice is that there are some smaller vessels that are close. My recommendation to all of them is to put water in them, get the sea water catch it and full up the boats so that the boats would be weighed down,” Kong said.
At the same time, Kong raised concerns at the infrastructures on fishing beaches across the island.
Meanwhile, Novelette Mighty, a fish vendor on Greenwich Town beach yesterday said that she had completed her preparations, however, she said that she was worried that Hurricane Matthew will destroy her business.
“Normally on a Sunday the sale is up, this morning it was down to zero. So you know that the coming weeks the sale is going to be bad. I have a stock of fish and them a go spoil. Me scrape 10 pounds and me and mi family ago eat dem, so mi a eat fish until Matthew finish. What me can’t eat we are going to give away, so the business ago get a big shake,” Mighty said.
Andre Lindsay, another fish vendor, shared similar sentiment.
“This one look more serious than [Hurricane] Ivan so we affi take it serious, if you notice all the boats are on land right now. All of us batten down already we just chilling looking out ennuh,” Lindsay said.
Racquel Porter