October 11, 2012

 

EU project to boost Jamaica's aquaculture industry

 

 

Paola Amadei, the head of the EU Delegation to Jamaica, wants credible results from a US$10 million EU-funded project to boost Jamaica's aquaculture industry.

 

"I wish this will not become another paper. Too often that happens with all the best intentions we get the best experts in the field and they write a paper without really any of it affecting the beneficiaries, which doesn't make sense," she stated.

 

Jamaica has received the ACP Fish II Programme funded by the EU to boost fisheries management, improve food security and alleviate poverty in 78 ACP countries.

 

The award comes as the fish farming sector is experiencing rough times: the local industry is seeing a drastic decline in aquaculture products, with 1,149 tonnes in 2011 compared to the 2006 high of 8,019 tonnes.

 

Roger Clarke, minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, assured that the government would increase its efforts to resuscitate the industry.

 

For example, the country has banned imports of whole fresh or frozen tilapia. Steps have been taken, he said, to prevent any recurrence of a breach of the waiver for tilapia fillets for the quick-service restaurants and hotel market, with some of the produce ending up on the open market.

 

He also said that the ministry would enforce stricter measures to make sure that only wholesome fish products are imported into the country.

 

"In this financial year, some US$22 million [from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)] will be allocated to undertake a marketing and promotion drive, training and capacity building of fish farmers groups. Additionally, some US$17 million will be allocated to rehabilitate the hatchery/nursery facility at our aquaculture branch to provide quality seed stock for the industry," the minister said.

 

Clarke insisted that the funding from international donors would be used for aquaculture to help create food security and jobs, import substitution and the save foreign exchange.

 

These goals will be achieved through a "complete revolution" of the aquaculture sub-sector. This will include the adoption of strategies incorporating the organisation of fish farmers using clustering and other approaches; development and implementation of effective marketing and promotion strategies; ensuring the continuous development of fish farmers and reshaping of farming practices through training programmes; and introducing appropriate technology and fish varieties for production, he explained.

 

He also affirmed that the Jamaican Government vows to provide the necessary framework to ensure the subsector gets maximum benefits from the external funds.