‘Make them pay’ - Fisheries CEO wants maximum $3 million fine for lobster breaches

CEO of the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), Dr Gavin Bellamy, is encouraging judges to hand out the maximum fines to fishers who continue to harvest lobster during the closed season, warning that Jamaica's seafood stocks are at risk.

Under the Fishing Industry Act of Jamaica, any person caught in possession of lobster during the closed season, which runs from April 1 to June 30, faces a fine of $3 million. Despite this, Bellamy admitted that some fishers still take the risk, but he is determined to make them regret it.

"We put up public notices in the press, on social media, and even on the beaches. We do education because until the fishers understand that fishing in the closed season is destroying the stock of lobsters and they will not have lobsters in the years to come, they won't stop," he said, emphasising that the closed season is crucial for allowing the species to replenish.

"Because as one of the Instagram posts that I saw said, you know, it's time for the lobsters to date and make babies. So leave them alone."

Bellamy assured that the NFA, Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and the Marine police are actively cracking down on illegal fishing.

"We have compliance officers out there ensuring that this is not done, and when it is done, that it is appropriately punished. The persons are arrested, charged, and placed before the courts," he said.

"Most of the time they plead guilty and from the pleading guilty, the cases are disposed of quickly in the courts. Within a month," he said. "The only time the case stays long is when persons plead not guilty and try their best to exhaust us and see if we will break down but we never break down."

Bellamy added that the NFA has already taken action in areas where reports of illegal fishing have surfaced.

"With information given to me, I ensure that additional resources are put in the areas where reports have been made. There are persons in different areas who have been arrested and charged and have paid significant fines."

"We don't take pleasure in arresting persons, but if you won't comply, well you pay the price."

T.P.