The Fisheries Division, within the Ministry of Agriculture, is mandated with the conservation and management of the marine capture fisheries resources of Jamaica. In response the Division is proposing the establishment of new fish sanctuaries which will lead to a continuous supply of marine animals for future fishing and the reversal of overexploited fisheries.

Fish sanctuaries are no fishing zones reserved for the reproduction of fish population. It is anticipated that these designated areas will become breeding grounds for our fish population allowing young fish and other marine species to reach maturity.

At the present, there are two (2) established fish sanctuaries in Jamaica, namely:

1. Bowden Bay in St. Thomas (found on the south coast) and
2. Bogue Island Lagoon near the north coast city of Montego Bay.

The project has been allocated a budget of J$29 million and is expected to run into the next financial year of 2009 – 2010.

Proposed Locations
Nine (9) new fish sanctuaries are being proposed - three (3) along the north coast of the Island and the remaining six (6) to the south of Jamaica.

1. Orange Bay at Negril in Westmoreland
2. Bluefields Bay in Westmoreland
3. Malcolm Bay, St. Elizabeth
4. Montego Bay in St. James
5. Discovery Bay Lagoon in St. Ann
6. Oracabessa Bay in St. Mary
7. parts of Galleon Harbour in Old Harbour, St. Catherine
8. Three Bays Area in Old Harbour, St. Catherine
9. Salt Harbour in Old Harbour, St. Catherine

Achievements
Approximately 90 percent of the ground work required for the sanctuaries establishment has been done. Staff of the Fisheries Division has been in dialogue with the fisher folk, whom the restrictions will affect, and acceptance of the fish havens have been forthcoming. The talks are also geared at explaning the importance of the sanctuaries to the country, the industry and the protection of the fishermen’s livelihood.

Fishers from the Bluefield fishing village in Westmoreland participate in a meeting with the Fisheries Division to discuss the implications of having a fish sanctuary established in their area.

Future of the project
After these sanctuaries have been declared it is anticipated that more areas will be proclaimed sanctuaries once they have met the requirements of a sanctuary. Also a management regime, supported by appropriate legislation, will be instituted for the monitoring of the sanctuaries.

Process for Future Participants
Organisations interested in having areas declared sanctuaries are encouraged to contact the Fisheries Division.

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