Fish Sanctuaries
Fish sanctuaries are no-fishing zones reserved for the reproduction of fish populations. Their nature reserve statuses are declared by the Agriculture Minister under Orders privileged through Section 18 of the Fishing Industry Act of 1975. It is, therefore, illegal and punishable by law to engage in any unauthorized fishing activities in the demarcated zones.
Bogue Island Lagoon, Montego Bay, and Bowen Inner Harbour, St Thomas, were the first two sanctuaries to be declared. Now there are 12 declared marine protected areas.
Declared Sanctuaries |
Management Organisation |
Funding |
Bogue Island Lagoon |
Mobay Marine Park Trust |
Government |
Bowden |
Fisheries Division |
Government |
Three Bays |
C-CAM Foundation |
Government |
Salt Harbour |
C-CAM Foundation | Government |
Galleon Harbour |
The Breds Foundation |
Government |
Montego Bay Marine Park FS |
Mobay Marine Park Trust |
Government |
Bluefields Bay FS |
Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society |
Government |
Oracabessa Bay FS |
Oracabessa Foundation |
Government |
Discovery Bay FS |
Alloah Fisherman’s Association |
Government |
Orange Bay FS |
NEPT |
Government |
Sandals Boscobel |
Sandals Foundation |
Private Sector |
Proposed Sanctuaries |
||
Fish Bay |
C-CAM Foundation |
Government |
Rocky Point Fish Sanctuary |
Rocky Point Fisher Association |
Government |
Bird Cay Pedro Banks |
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) |
Private Sector |
Benefits of the Sanctuaries
The fish sanctuaries are anticipated to gradually increase fish populations affected by overfishing, habitat degradation and land-based nonpoint-source pollution, among other stressors. Sanctuary establishment has been scientifically proven to improve fish stocks by 3 to 21 times it original biomass. Furthermore, due to the ‘spill over’ effect, adjacent marine areas benefit as excess fish from the reserves will migrate into these areas where fishing is allowed
The sanctuaries will also maintain genetic diversity of marine species within Jamaica’s water – reducing the probability of extinction. The habitats provide the marine species the opportunity to reach full sexual maturity therefore increasing their egg producing/spawning potential and survival of the species overall.
Fish sanctuaries also offer socio-economic benefits, in terms of:
- Improving economic opportunities for fishers as the catch per unit effort for fishermen should increase within the areas surrounding the reserves
- Increased opportunities for eco-tourism, allowing visitors and citizens to view our tropical fish species in their natural environment
- Providing environments for further research and development initiatives
SUCCESS STORY: Oracbessa Bay Fish Sanctuary
Sanctuary Establishment
Our fish sanctuaries were selected based on the following criteria:
- Ecological characteristics: presence of seagrass beds, a reef system, and/or shallow waters abutting mangrove stands. These areas are known to be important nursery grounds for many and perhaps most juvenile reef fish species. The inclusion of reefs allow for the protection of a critical growth and feeding habitat for the species being protected by the sanctuaries.
- General agreement of the primary stakeholders (fishers, investors, hotel and tourism businesses) for these areas to be declared as sanctuaries. It is only through such consensus that the stakeholders will protect and ensure the success of the fish sanctuaries.
- The existence of an organized entity with the commitment and capacity to partner with the Fisheries Division in the management of the fish sanctuary.
- These characteristics were considered bearing in mind the potential impacts that point source pollutants may have on these sites.
Management Arrangement
Sanctuaries are managed through a cooperative arrangement between the government and community organisations (non-government organisations). Each partnership is formalized by a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the Ministry and the collaborating organization, which outlines the responsibilities of the synergic entities. Under the MoA agreement, Government will provide financial resources for the Partner NGOs to undertake the day-to-day operations of the fish sanctuaries.
In December 2008, Cabinet approved funding for the monitoring and surveillance through a partnership arrangement with selected NGOs. The sum of $36.92 Million was allocated in 2008, and for each successive year of the life of these sanctuaries the sum of $34.92 Million is to be paid. The Board of the Fishery Management and Development Fund approved the sum of $3.3 Million to conduct the baseline studies within these sanctuaries and $23 Million to the NGOs to support their activites.
If no Partner NGOs is readily identified the Fisheries Division will assume management of the sanctuary.
The main managerial responsibilities of the government include the provision of training, budgetary support, research and development, instituting policy and enabling legislation, and monitoring control and surveillance of the marine parks. Surveillance by the Marine Police and Coast Guard is supplemented by the Partner NGOs who engage in patrolling the sanctuaries and enforcing the laws. Additionally, Partner NGOs may engage in research activities related to and conducted in the fish sanctuaries.
Watch video below discussing need for Fisheries Conservancy:
