A marine-based project to prove the concept that shellfish and seaweed can be farmed on a sustainable basis in Jamaica has been agreed on between the British High Commission in Kingston and the Alligator Head Foundation (AHF).

The project, which will engage residents of Turtle Crawl in Portland in a new way of sustainable farming, was inaugurated recently by British High Commissioner to Jamaica Asif Ahmad and Markus Reymann of AHF.

The Vertical Marine Farm Project, which is jointly funded by the UK Government and Baroness Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza, will help to grow alternative protein to fish stocks in the parish.

It will also encourage the local fishers not to fish in the sanctuary, which is experiencing significant success in the regeneration of the reef and return of species, but remains under threat of illegal poachers. The aim is to create livelihoods for the community.

In addition to its water quality, Turtle Crawl was selected for the project as it is sheltered from strong wave action and receives nutrients such phytoplankton from streams and gullies. This natural food supply should sustain oysters, clams and mussels.

The depth profile — which ranges from around one foot at the shore to about 20 feet in the middle of the bay — is also ideal, as it would be able to support the vertical profile of the culture structures. There is also already a dock in the bay which will enable easy access.

The site is close to AHF’s facility, allowing the team to administer the project and engage with the local community.

Speaking at the event held at the AHF base in Anchovy, Portland, Ambassador Ahmad said the project was a long-standing passion of his which, if successful, could offer livelihoods to many Jamaicans in coastal communities.

“I recall in my visits to the Caribbean 30 years ago when fish and seafood were abundant. Overfishing, illegal incursions into the sanctuaries, and environmental damage have taken their toll.

“Many fishing folk have lost their source of income, and many communities are blighted by poor integration of land- and marine-based economic activity. Scientifically informed vertical farming offers a real chance for developing a new industry that can be replicated in many parts of coastal Jamaica,” said Ahmad.

AHF founder Baroness Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza said the project is one which is close to her heart.

“It is for this local community of fisherfolk, and it is quite timely with the fallout from COVID-19,” she said.

In the meantime, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green stressed that the support of the Government would be present to ensure the success of the project.

“If you were to ask me which project really pulls together a restoration of an ecosystem, a development of sustainable practices among your population and generating new sources of income, I would say this vertical marine farm does all of that, and this is why this is an excellent project,” said Green.

In her remarks at the function Portland Eastern Member of Parliament (MP) Ann-Marie Vaz made a pledge of $500,000 from her Constituency Development Fund (CDF) towards the project.

She also revealed that her husband, Portland Western MP Daryl Vaz, would also be supporting the project to the tune of $500,000 from his CDF allotment.