Marine cage fish farming

Marine capture fisheries in Jamaica is primarily artisanal in nature ansd is conducted maiinly by fishermen operating from canoes. Approximately 95% of these fishermen operate on the coastal shelf and its associated banks. The commercial species harvested comprise bottom-dwelling, coral reef species and free swimming species of finfish. Other fishery resources of commercial value include marine shrimp, conch and lobsters. Catch statistics are not available for all species, but the Department of Fisheries reports a slight decline in fishery production with production decreasing from 16 milion lbs in 1990, despite the fact that fishing efforts have doubled. Over this period the number of registered fishermen has grown from 12 000 to 16 000, al of whom are engaged in full-time fishing. There arealso part-time fishermen who are not registered. The decline in fish catch is accompanied by a decrease in fish size and quality, suggesting that the fisheries are under pressure and have already exceeded optimum production in relation to vailable resources. As a result the economic returns to fishermen are declining. There are also other problems, such as high incidence of conflicts among fishermen at sea, the high cost of purchasing boats, outboard engine fuel, and equipment, with together with the dangers involved in fishing offshore (piracy, and praedial larceny) create serious social ans economic difficulties for fishermen. Notwithstanding, there is an apparent move on the part of the fishermen to leave the industryor to seek alternative forms of employment. In fact, the Department ofFisheries reports that it is still reciving applications for new licences to operate fishing boats. This is probably due to the fact that where the basis of a community is fishing, it becomes difficult to introduce alternative forms of employment, such as cottage industries, village crafts and other trades. In 1987 the Jamaica Department of Fisheries prepared a Management plan which proposed several conservation measures to promote the efficient use of fisheries resources and to control the development of the Fishery in such a way that the country would receive highest benefits. Adequate attention was given to limitations on fishing gear, institution of closed seasons and related legislation. Strategies to diversify the marine fishing were also proposed. The 1990 five year Devlopment Plan for marine fisheries also focuses on proper resource management in order to reverse trends associated with the overexploitation of marine resources. According to the plan, emphasis will be placed on inland fisheries and mariculture in order to reduce pressure on the fisheries. Inland fisheries in the form of freshwater fish fanning has expanded significantly over the past 10 years with production increasing from less than 0,5 million lbs. in 1980 to in excess of 6.0 million lbs. in 1989. However, some freshwater fish farmers are already experiencing serious competition for water usage and, to a lesser extent for land from crop-producing farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture is of the view that marine cage culture technologically has the potential for introduction in Jamaica . This technologyhas been successfully developed in Norway and the technology is currentlty being experimentally utilized in several countries in the area. The technology, if widely utilized in Jamaica, couls significantly reduce pressure on fisheries, making fishing more cost effective and improve the economic returns to fishermen. Already there exist some technical and institutional capabilities in Jamaica to support commercial development of marine cage culture. The Department of Fisheries has highly trained personnel in aquaculture and marine fisherie, some of whom are directly responsible for the success of freshwater fish fanning. In adition, the Marine Laboratory at the Univesity of the West Indies (UWI) is caarying research on hatchery facilities for marine cage farming. The Department of Fisheries will seek the collaboration ofg the marine unit at UWI which could provide fingerlings of selected marine species for cage 1