ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) says it has achieved major milestones in its pilot project for the production of shrimp locally.

On Wednesday, the authority shared photos of growing prawns, indicating that not only has it successfully developed its hatchery to produce post larvae as seed for local fish farmers, but it has already produced its first batch, which was enough to stock an entire pond at the hatchery.

In addition, trials have started with fish farmers from Clarendon, St Catherine and St Elizabeth.

“These successes are critical towards reducing our reliance on imported seafood, diversifying the offerings within aquaculture by creating new economic opportunities for local fish farmers, and promoting a sustainable, home-grown protein source,” the NFA shared via social media

The NFA launched the local production of giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) with a batch of 15,000 post-larval prawns in April this year at its Twickenham Park Hatchery.

READ: Move to reduce seafood imports

Prawns grown at the National Fisheries Authority Hatchery in St Catherine (Photo: NFA X account)