Volume 64

Creating a Fish Sanctuaries Network in Jamaica, West Indies


Authors
Aiken, K,; Squire, O,; Kong, A.G,; Smilke, S.

Other Information


Date: November, 2011


Pages: 161-166


Event: Proceedings of the Sixty-Fourth Annual Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute


City: Puerto Morelos


Country: Mexico

Abstract

Jamaica has lagged behind other Caribbean nations in the introduction of fish sanctuaries. This is no longer true, as in 2010 the government introduced nine small fish sanctuaries distributed around the island. The areas selected satisfied ecological and fisheries criteria and importantly, have an associated fishers group who have been chosen to enforce these special protected areas. This is the result of some two years of work by the Fisheries Division and the fishers in conjunction with the Fisheries Advisory Board of Jamaica. The fish sanctuaries include sheltered coastal habitats with mangroves, sea grass beds, sand patches, and coral while having modest fisheries resources, primarily juvenile in size. Close collaboration with and participation of fishers is a key feature of these new sanctuaries. In mid-2011 these fish sanctuaries were partly funded and most were active. A programme of publicity is planned which will continue indefinitely. We recognize in this paper, the interest and encouragement of the Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries, Dr. C. Tufton, who for the first time in many years has shown interest in fisheries matters at the ministerial and policy level and pushed for the introduction of these fish sanctuaries.