Agriculture Minister Pearnel Charles Jr says the Government is making efforts to encourage investment and open up opportunities in the fisheries sector to enable the country to tap into uncharted areas such as deep-sea fishing.

Speaking at this week’s Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange, Charles Jr said fisheries currently presents the most practical opportunity for growth across the portfolio.

The ministry, he said, is exploring deep-sea fishing initiatives to enable fishers and investors to take advantage of the island’s vast marine space.

“We have fish swimming past us that are caught by other countries, so we are now encouraging investment and looking into opportunities for Jamaica to explore pelagic fishing and also advancing several operations around increasing aquaculture,” he said.

Charles explained that the goal is to develop aqua parks — similar to agro parks — as part of the move to involve stakeholders in areas which are focused on particular aspects of agriculture and fisheries.

At the same time, he noted that fisheries has not escaped the threat of praedial larceny.

“I never knew so much fish were [being] stolen, so working with the JCF [Jamaica Constabulary Force] building capacity, raising awareness, we are amending the legislation to increase penalties and expand and modernise the legislation, and introduce the technology to farmers so that they can make the investment,” the minister told the Observer.

The Fishing Industry Act (1975) was repealed by the Fisheries Act in 2018, creating a legal and regulatory framework to foster sustainable growth for the sector.

The Act includes measures to stop poaching and unregulated fishing in Jamaican waters. It also provides for the establishment of a national fisheries authority and national fisheries advisory council, and a proper licensing authority. New categories of licences were also created, including for local fishing vessel; high seas fishing vessel; commercial fishing vessel; foreign fishing vessel; recreational fishing; and commercial aquaculture.

People engaging in fishing or any related activity in fisheries waters without the appropriate licence or permit could face a $3-million fine and two years’ in prison. Companies found in breach are subject to a fine and two years behind bars. Similar penalties are in place for offences such as installing or operating an aquaculture facility without the requisite licence; engaging in scientific research or survey operations related to fishery; and wilfully obstructing a fisheries inspector.

In 2020 the novel coronavirus pandemic disrupted fish production and the fisheries value chain from both local and overseas markets, resulting in higher input costs and a significant hike in operational expenses.

It was estimated that the local fisheries sector lost up to US$23.1 million in 2020 with captured fisheries accounting for US$20.9 million, and aquaculture US$2.2 million. That year, the Government announced a $120-million COVID-19 relief/production incentive to the sector to assist fisherfolk with equipment, feed, and newly hatched baby fish.