Seventy fishers, who were impacted by COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the parish of St. Mary, on Thursday (December 17), benefitted from the handover of vouchers valued at $30,000 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The vouchers are to be used to purchase fishing gear and other equipment, which had been lost at sea during the period of restrictions following an outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing a ceremony to handover the vouchers to fishers at the St. Theresa Catholic Church in Annotto Bay, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, said it was important to pay more attention to the fishers as they are an important part of the agriculture and fisheries sector. “We have to ensure that just as we are there to respond to our farmers in their times of need, we have to respond to our fishermen and women,” he said. Minister Green noted to that end, that $75million has been allocated under a Fisheries Incentive Programme to provide support to fishers and fish farmers and to stimulate the sector. “This ensures that the people who want to get involved in the sector can have somewhere they can turn to and that is the National Fisheries (NFA) Authority. The money has been allocated to provide direct support to 5,000 fishers from across the length and breadth of Jamaica,” he said. Minister Green said $24million will also be allocated to establish cold storage facilities at fishing beaches across the island. Meanwhile, State Minister in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce and Member of Parliament for the constituency of South Eastern St. Mary, Hon. Dr. Norman Dunn, expressed gratitude to Minister Green and the Ministry for coming to aid the fishers. In his remarks, Chairman of the National Fisheries Authority Lt. Cmdr. George Overton, said fishers can expect the NFA to promote sustainability of the sector, safety at sea and other best practices. The NFA Board Chairman emphasized the importance of fishers to the agriculture and fisheries sector as well as to the broader economy. He also urged the fishers to take care of the equipment. President of the South East, St. Mary Fisherman’s Group, Natalee Lynch, for her part, expressed gratitude to the Minister Green and the Ministry for the support to fishers. -30-

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