‘Fish not getting fat’ - Rio Cobre fishers say newly introduced tilapia won’t be ready for Christmas

After months watching and waiting with baited breaths, residents of Bog Walk and adjoining St Catherine communities have concluded that fingerlings, which were used to restock the Rio Cobre earlier this year, will not be ready in time for Christmas.

More than 4,000 young tilapia were released into the river in July to replenish the fish stock after spillage from an effluent holding pond, owned by bauxite-producing firm UC Rusal, was found to have caused a fish kill. At the time of the restocking, the National Fisheries Authority said fish at the fingerling stage will reach maturity within four to six months, while the younger fry will reach maturity in eight to 10 months.

"This means that by December, the fishing community will be able to harvest fish from the restocked population," said the authority.

However, fisherfolk who make a living from the Rio Cobre said while they have caught a few 'nice size' tilapia, the fishes, for the most part, will not ready for harvesting this Christmas.

"The fish dem small bad, suh dem nah guh ready for Christmas. We have to give them until about January or February," said Roan Malcolm, who depends on the river for a living.

"The other day mi catch couple nice size perch, but a fi cook for myself. Dem taste good, too, but is not a lot of those size in it, so we can't sell to people," he added.

A variety of tilapia fish comprising black perch, red tilapia, and rocky mountain have been introduced into the Rio Cobre. The National Fisheries Authority last month indicated that the restocking of fish in the Rio Cobre was successfully completed following the introduction of 20,000 seed stock.

Malcolm stated that he was keeping his fingers crossed that they would be able to harvest and make sales from the restocked population in time for the Christmas, but since this will not be possible, he and others have found other means to earn a dollar.

"Me do every little thing, enuh. Little farming here and there, and whatever else mi get to do. Mi did a hope the Christmas would be merrier because fish sell hard during dem time here, but a just suh it go," he said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Karolene McBright.

"A bare little fryers in there, suh mi a gwan wait. Thank God mi know how to hustle until dem ready. Every little thing come we way, we have to do something to make a little money or we a guh dead fi hungry. If the fish kill never happen, we would be making money this time. Right now, mi a do little roadwork and gwan clean some houses," she said.

Another man, who identified himself as 'Blade', says he, too, is anxiously waiting on the fish to mature, so he can return to doing what he enjoys the most.

"Right now the fish dem whe in the water smaller than sprat. The other day mi catch couple, but mi have to let them go back in the water. It hard, but we have to find way to survive. Mi is a man who love money, so mi do other things. Mi just a pray fi di fish dem full out, so mi can gwan fish and sell back again," he said.