KINGSTON, Jamaica — Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr Gavin Bellamy, has expressed confidence that Jamaica’s tilapia industry can surpass its historical production peaks.

While the sector reached a record high of approximately 7,000 metric tons in 2007, current output has declined to roughly 900 metric tons.

Despite the decline, Bellamy maintains that the potential for a significant resurgence remains high.

“Right now, in Jamaica, we have the ability, we have the ponds, we have the technical know-how, and we have the capacity to surpass that 7,000 metric tons if we all stick together,” Bellamy said, noting that a unified support is required from the Government, the NFA, the farmers and other stakeholders.

He was speaking with JIS News after the opening ceremony of the National Tilapia Farmers’ Consultation held last Thursday at the Caymanas Golf and Polo Resort in St Catherine.

Addressing the reasons behind the production decline, Bellamy explained that the industry previously relied on a robust public-private partnership.

This model was led by a large corporate entity and provided satellite farms with essential resources such as fry and feed, allowing participating farmers to focus on growing out the tilapia for harvesting.

“What happened after that was when that dissolved the individual farmers had to pick up the slack. So, a lot of farmers came out of the business at that time,” Bellamy explained.

He highlighted that a number of new farmers have since joined the industry, but the agency is encouraging others to also come on board, as there are many opportunities for growth and financial development.

Bellamy shared that the NFA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining have identified avenues to replenish the tilapia stock and surpass the 2007 output.

“First of all, to increase the stock, we need more fry production, we need better husbandry practices, we need more access to water in certain areas and definitely the National Fisheries Authority, is doing the extension work, encouraging the farmers both on the business side, [and] the management side, and getting us all on the same page [to] developing a sustainable industry,” Bellamy outlined.

He also highlighted the importance of a marketing plan that the NFA has undertaken to ensure that farmers are able to reap the profits of their labour.

Bellamy emphasised that the farmers’ consultation is a vital forum for identifying the specific resources and support farmers need to match and eventually exceed 2007 production levels.

—   JIS

Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr. Gavin Bellamy delivers remarks at the National Tilapia Farmers’ Consultation held on Thursday (January 22) at the Caymanas Golf and Polo Resort in St. Catherine.
(Photo: Dave Reid)