Ministry of Fisheries officially launches Phase 2 of Fisheries Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme

The Ministry of Fisheries, through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has officially launched Phase 2 of the Fisheries Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme.

The second phase of the programme was launched recently in Montego Bay, St James.

According to the ministry, this will provide a massive $180 million investment to restore Jamaica’s fisheries sector.

The occasion also saw four new boats and engines provided to young fishers under the Fisheries Production Incentive Programme.

According to Portfolio Minister Floyd Green, Phase 2 of the recovery introduces direct grant support for vessel and engine repairs.

He noted that despite the setbacks caused by the hurricane, the government remains committed to its five-year goal of distributing 100 boats to registered fishers under the age of 35.

In addition to the youth-targeted vessels, the Minister announced the procurement of 20 additional boats to be managed communally, assisting those who lost everything in the storm.

The Minister challenged fishers to look beyond traditional nearshore fishing, which has seen depleted stocks over the years.

He also highlighted ongoing training in pelagic (deep-sea) fishing and the deployment of fish aggregating devices to ensure more sustainable and profitable catches.

For his part, Mayor of Montego Bay, Richard Vernon welcomed the intervention, noting that the development of fishing beaches is central to the city’s urban plans.

Mayor Vernon expressed a desire to see River Bay transformed into a premier destination where the local economy and tourism intersect.

The Ministry said it will continue rolling out the recovery programme across the hardest-hit parishes, including Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth and Hanover in the coming weeks.