Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, addresses the audience at the official handover ceremony for fishing boats and engines held at the National Fisheries Authority headquarters on Wednesday, June 10. The ceremony and distribution marked the close of the first phase of the National Fisheries Authority's Boat and Equipment Retooling Initiative, a component of the NFA's Fisheries Production Incentive Programme, through which the Government invested approximately J$60 million in the procurement and distribution of 20 boats and engines designed to support pelagic fishing and mariculture activities.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), has completed the first phase of its Boat and Equipment Retooling Initiative with the distribution of five boats and engines to young fishers from eastern and central Jamaica.

The initiative, which forms part of the NFA's Fisheries Production Incentive Programme, represents a government investment of approximately J$60 million in the procurement and distribution of 20 boats and engines designed to support pelagic fishing and mariculture activities.

Speaking at a handover ceremony held at the NFA's headquarters in Kingston on Wednesday, June 10, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of Jamaica's fishing industry and the next generation of fishers.

"We are not simply giving away boats and engines. We are targeting young fishers, those under the age of 35, and providing them with opportunities to expand their operations, increase productivity and strengthen their livelihoods," he said.

Minister Green explained that the vessels are specifically designed to facilitate offshore fishing, enabling fishers to target pelagic species farther from shore while helping to reduce pressure on Jamaica's nearshore fisheries resources, which have experienced declining stocks due to overfishing over time. He noted that the initiative would not only support the sustainable management of fisheries resources but also increase production and expand economic opportunities for fishers.

The Minister also highlighted the Ministry's ongoing efforts to equip fishers with the skills and tools needed to succeed in offshore fisheries.
"We have trained approximately 300 fishers in longline fishing techniques. We are also deploying fish aggregating devices (FADs), which attract pelagic species, and providing GPS equipment to help fishers safely navigate to these locations," he said.

Minister Green added that the Ministry, through the NFA, will continue to expand the deployment of FADs and introduce additional technologies aimed at improving efficiency, productivity and sustainability within the fisheries sector.
The latest beneficiaries, drawn from St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Catherine and Clarendon, received the vessels and engines during the ceremony.

The distribution completes the first phase of the initiative, following the earlier handover of 15 boats and engines to fishers in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James, Trelawny, St. Ann, St. Mary and Portland.
Minister Green also announced that the Government intends to expand the programme in the coming years.

"Every year, we are going to provide at least 20 boats and engines. That means more than 100 people will benefit from this initiative over time," he said.

He further disclosed that an additional J$66 million has already been allocated in the current budget to procure another 20 boats and engines.

"When we assessed the significant damage suffered by fishers following Hurricane Melissa and developed the Melissa Recovery Programme, we included an additional 20 boats and engines. This means that, this year alone, we will be providing 40 boats and engines to fishers across Jamaica," Minister Green added.

The Minister encouraged the beneficiaries to take proper care of the vessels and equipment, noting that responsible stewardship would enable them to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen their businesses and support their families for years to come.

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