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Home | Fisheries Ministry and Partners Distribute $19M in Fishing Gear to Aid Fishers’ Recovery After Hurricane Melissa
The National Fisheries Authority
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, through the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), along with partners, distributed over 900 rolls of fishing wire to registered fishers across parishes severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Valued at more than $19 million, the initiative includes $5.2 million in wire procured by the NFA, with the remainder donated by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), Jakes Hotel, and the Sandals Foundation.
Distribution has reached communities including Alligator Pond in Manchester; Pagee, Oracabessa, Boscobel, Robin’s Bay, and Annotto Bay in St. Mary; 7-Mile and 9-Mile in Kingston and St. Andrew; Hunt’s Bay, New Forum, and Old Harbour in St. Catherine; Calabash Bay, Frenchmans, Billy’s Bay, Great Bay, Fort Charles, Slipe, Parrotee Bay, and Black River in St. Elizabeth; and Whitehouse in Westmoreland.
Dr. Gavin Bellamy, Chief Executive Officer of the NFA, emphasised that the effort is designed to restore livelihoods, increase productivity, and strengthen community resilience.
“This intervention is more than just replacing gear, it is about restoring hope and economic stability for our fishers,” said Dr. Bellamy. “By getting these fishers back on the water, we are not only helping them provide for their families but also ensuring a continued supply of fish for local markets and the nation,” he added.
In a complementary effort, the Sandals Foundation provided 6,720 litres of UltraTec 90 gasoline to fishers at Whitehouse Fishing Beach on Friday, further supporting their recovery.
The NFA has introduced additional relief measures to include a six-month moratorium on licensing and ID fees, effective November 12, 2025, to May 11, 2026, with early uptake reported among fishers in Clarendon, Manchester, St Elizabeth, and Westmoreland.
As part of ongoing recovery assessments, teams from the NFA have evaluated damage at Black River, Galleon, and Whitehouse Fishing Beaches, as well as the NFA’s Black River outstation. These assessments, conducted with support from Manpower Maintenance Services Ltd., will guide cleanup and rehabilitation efforts.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, together with the NFA, remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders to promote safety, sustainability, and long-term resilience within Jamaica’s fishing industry.
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