Portmore fishermen facing hazardous conditions

Have you ever been to a fishing village where the familiar, briny aroma of the sea evokes memories of hard work and community bonds?

Now imagine that instead of the invigorating scent of ocean air, you're greeted by a choking, overpowering stench of rotting debris and garbage. For generations, the New Causeway Fishing Village in Portmore, St Catherine, has been a cornerstone for fishermen. The relocation to this new site was initially heralded as a step toward modernisation, promising improved facilities, safer working conditions and an enhanced quality of life for its residents. However, as years have passed, this promise has given way to a stark reality of neglect and decay. Lewis Palmer, who boasts over 50 years of experience in fishing, vividly noted the stark contrast.

"When wi first move here, this area was in good condition. Now a just pollution everyweh," he said. His testimony speaks volumes about the burden of unkept promises and the toll of a deteriorating environment. The sensory assault is relentless. The smell of decomposing waste blends with the salty tang of the sea, transforming what should be a refreshing maritime atmosphere into a toxic cloud. The murky water, thick with bacteria, clings to the fishermen's skin, leaving behind rashes, itching, and even the deterioration of their toenails - a grim reminder of nature turned hostile.

Palmer told THE STAR, "We have to use plastic bag to cover first because if yuh let it soak in, the scratching and itching, the cloak get destroy so fast."

Another fisherman, Anthony Robinson, who has been fishing in the area since the relocation, said, "When this yah go pan yuh, nuh bleach weh yuh use cya get rid a the smell."

The National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC), the developer responsible for the relocation, had assured residents that regular maintenance would be carried out every five years. This commitment, however, remains unfulfilled over a decade later. Robinson said "The place stay bad fi true man. From dem put we out here so no one care eno."

The consequences of this neglect extend far beyond environmental aesthetics. The health of the fishermen is rapidly deteriorating. Skin rashes, infections, and rotting toenails have become all too common. Each dip into the contaminated water is a necessary yet painful risk jeopardising not only physical well-being but also a cherished way of life.

"Some a we have to go to the hospital or health centre and they give us medication. All a this we could avoid if they were maintaining this area the way they should," Robinson said. With Easter approaching, a season that traditionally boosts business and lifts community morale, the economic pressure mounts.

"Look weh mi afffi a go through fi go out there fi bring in the bread fi go put pan the table fi me and mi family and other family, because is not just my family, mi help feed the population," Robinson said.

Fishermen no longer catch fish in the polluted waters, they merely dock here before venturing into cleaner, less contaminated areas. The decline in the village's appeal has dampened sales and shaken the community's confidence.

Ricardo Baracoo, chief compliance officer of the National Fisheries Authority, painted a grim picture of neglect and broken promises.

"We're facing a longstanding issue. Dredging was done years ago with a promise of follow-up every five years, but nothing has happened since." The initial dredging was meant to be a turning point - a promise of ongoing care that would keep the waters clean and safe.

"Now, there's a huge health concern. Fishermen have to go into the water to launch and dock their vessels, which isn't sanitary for extracting their products," he said. The lack of regular maintenance means that the area continues to deteriorate, forcing fishermen to brave contaminated waters merely to sustain their livelihoods.

The news team reached out to a representative of NROCC for a comment, however, calls to their cell phone went unanswered.