KINGSTON, Jamaica — Sixty fishermen and women from the Old Harbour Bay, Eastern and Western Kingston communities will benefit from an inaugural fisherfolk training programme hosted by the Jamaica Energy Partners (JEP) Group.

The sessions will be held on Thursday, June 17 – 18 and Friday, June 24 – 25.

The first two sessions, slated for this week, will run from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm daily at the Agent HQ Restaurant, Chiney Beach, Rockfort. Meanwhile, the final two sessions will occur at the Repooh Restaurant from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm each day.

Noting that the training sessions are to educate the fisherfolk about sustainable fishing practices, with the intent to contribute to the viability of their livelihood, JEP said participants will learn about fishing methods, conservation and sustainability methods, safety at sea and mapping, and quality management and fish handling processes.

Sustainable fishing practices allow us to enjoy seafood while preserving the lifeblood of our oceans as many individuals, communities, and nations continue to rely on fish and other aquatic life as a source of food and raw materials. To maintain fish stocks, the reduction of overfishing and bycatch through fisheries management is crucial, the Group said.

According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 14 speaks to ‘Life Below Water’, which advocates for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.