Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has said that the Government would be enacting a new legislation to ensure the viability and sustainability of the fishing industry, and to address the problem of over-fishing.

"This sustainability of which I speak, can only be achieved if we work together to address the challenges facing the industry. One such challenge is the matter of over-fishing. We cannot continue to remove more fish than the species' ability to replenish itself. Otherwise, one day the livelihood of our fishers will come to an end. Already, we see smaller and smaller catches and sizes. We have to stem this tide and our fishermen must partner with us to this end, in their own interest," Dr. Tufton explained.

Making his contribution to the 2008/09 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on April 16, the Minister said that a comprehensive outline of the Government's policy and the new legislation would be made available later this year.

As part of plans to revitalize the fishing industry, a major registration programme would be undertaken to bring fishers not already registered, into the existing data-base. Five fish sanctuaries would also be established, where fishing would be prohibited and a management regime instituted for monitoring, supported by appropriate legislation, Dr. Tufton pointed out.

The sanctuaries will be located in Old Harbour Bay, Hellshire, Falmouth, Discovery Bay, and Negril. Designated sections within those areas will be restricted from fishing activity, thereby becoming natural breeding grounds for the fish population.

Dr. Tufton also informed that steps would be taken to stem the harvesting of lobsters during the closed lobster season (April 1 to June 30). "Illegal harvesting persists because of the overwhelming demand. Therefore, in an effort to deter the temptation to harvest during the closed season, this year we will be instituting legislative changes to ban the possession, storage and sale of lobsters during the closed season," the Minister said.

He pointed out that in order for these initiatives to work, they would require a strong regulatory infrastructure, including education and enforcement, noting that it would be very expensive, but that the Government was "committed to the process."

Additionally, in this financial year, a levy will be imposed on every pound of conch exported from Jamaica to create a dedicated fund for the sustainable development of the fisheries sector. He noted that based on projected export volumes this year, approximately $75 million would flow into this fund, adding that appropriate legislative amendments would follow to make this initiative effective.

"We intend to work with non Government Organizations (NGOs) and the fisheries sector to organise fishers around beaches from which they will operate and to train them in best practices, as well as to develop a maintenance and management programme for the facilities we will be installing," Dr. Tufton said.