Lifeline for fishers - Green announces $120-million rescue plan

Approximately 260 fishers from St Catherine and St Mary fishing beaches who were subjected to COVID-19-induced lockdowns will benefit from a special financial programme in the form of a grant from the Government. During the time of the lockdown, in April and May, fisherfolk were not exempted and this resulted in trap fishermen as well as net and line fishers suffering losses.

"They were unable to go out and take back in their pots and ended up losing their pots, and we believe we have to right that wrong," Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green said yesterday.

The minister, who was speaking in the House of the Representatives, said that the 260 fisherfolk will share an $8-million grant approximately $30,800 each) which may be used to purchase mesh wire or other equipment.

"They would have lost or suffered damages to their fishing equipment that were at sea during the period and were thus unattended to," said Green, who announced a $120-million assistance programme for the fisheries sector.

Green said that the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted fish production and the fisheries value chain with varying degrees of negative impacts. Losses from both local and overseas markets have resulted in higher input costs, causing significant increases in operational expenses. He estimated that the fisheries sector may lose up to US$23 million this year due to COVID-19.

Struggling sector

To help the struggling sector, Green said that approximately 4,740 licensed fishers across 137 fishing communities will benefit from a $67-million grant.

Each fisher will be provided a voucher valued at $15,000 to be used to purchase fish mesh wire or equivalent fishing gear.

Green said that fish farmers in the aquaculture production areas who had challenges in procuring feed and fish fingerlings will receive grants in the form of vouchers with a total value of $20 million. Approximately 72 farmers registered with the National Fisheries Authority, and adhering to good production practices with a minimum one acre of ponds, will benefit under this initiative.