Net widens on illegal fishers - Nine sanctuaries formed
February 18, 2009
Stiffer penalties are being considered as part of new legislation for fishermen who use dynamite or bleach to increase their catch at sea.
Anyone caught fishing in any of the nine sanctuaries being established by the Ministry of Agriculture through the Fisheries Division will also face the full force of the impending legislation.
The warning came from Agri-culture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton while addressing residents in Great Bay and Calabash Bay in Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, last Friday.
"We will be hiring fish wardens to monitor the nine sanctuaries on a 24-hour basis. It will be illegal for anyone to fish within the 74 hectares of non-fishing areas and anyone caught using dynamite or bleach to catch fish will be arrested," Tufton warned.
Cabinet has established nine sanctuaries across the island and funding has already been allocated to recruit wardens to monitor the areas, as well as to implement effective management systems, Tufton told The Gleaner.
The sanctuaries are located in Clarendon; St. James; St. Ann; St Mary; St Catherine; Portland and Galleon in St Elizabeth.
No fishing in sanctuary
"We will be putting markers in and around the designated areas, which will make it easier for fishers to identify. Absolutely no fishing will be allowed in the sanctuary and this will be permanent," Tufton stated.
The sanctuaries have been established in a bid to allow fish and other wildlife to replenish their stocks, as the banks have been overfished for many years. This type of intervention has been introduced in other countries such as Belize.
Author: Gleaner Reporter
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
