Europa che verra 2012

Support to aquaculture in Jamaica

Gianluigi Negroni
A Land and Water Use Development Plan and Blue Print for an Aquaculture Action Plan for
Jamaica is almost a reality with plans by the ACP Fish II Programme to unveil these strategies at
2.00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at the Farmers Training Centre in Twickenham Park, St.
Catherine.
Following the preliminary report in July on the study conducted under the guidance of international
consultants, it is expected that the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and representatives from
the European Union (EU) will be on hand with scores of other senior Government representatives
and regulators, along with private sector stakeholders and farmers to hear the final report with a
view to validate it.
For the past five months there has been extensive work analysing areas to be targeted for
aquaculture production to determine the best practices and opportunities for fresh water farming,
oyster culture and mariculture. Additionally, through participatory research, strategies for the
revitalisation of the aquaculture sub-sector and promotion of aquaculture products and by-products
were examined, commented Mrs Avery Smikle, Director of the Aquaculture Branch at the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries.
Additionally, the project facilitated the identification of areas most appropriate for aquaculture
activities. This was made possible using existing data from several Government agencies and
computer modelling. The project collected data across the country by utilising questionnaires, case
studies, rapid appraisals and focus group meetings, said Mrs Smikle.
It is the results from these activities that are anticipated, a move that has been welcomed by
Jamaicas agriculture minister, the Honourable Roger Clarke who earlier this year unveiled his own
plans to position Jamaicas agriculture to new heights. The aquaculture sub-sector has experienced
almost a fifty per cent decline in the past five years. The outputs from the ACP Fish II Programme
supports the thrust to revive the industry, particularly in light of the depletion of the marine
resources and other aims for agricultural development and the achievement of our food and
nutrition strategies, stated Minister Clarke.
In turning to the collaborative efforts of his Ministry, Minister Clarke lauded the Fisheries Division
and the Rural Physical Planning Division. Let me express my appreciation for commitment to the
mandate of the Ministry to secure lands for agriculture and implement measures to close the gap on
imports. The Government of Jamaica further extends gratitude to the technical consultants from
SOFRECO and the European Union for providing funding that has propelled our plans, Minister
Clarke said.
Efforts for the marketing and promotion of the consumption of aquaculture products and byproducts will get a much needed boost as following the presentation of the final report, the
opportunity will be seized to demonstrate the preparation and tasting of Tilapia as exhibited by
Jamaica Culinary Federation, Longville Farms and Dr Marc Panton.

The ACP Fish II Programme is a four and a half year, EUR30.0M programme funded by the
European Union through the European Development Fund (EDF). It has been formulated to
strengthen fisheries management, improve food security and alleviate poverty in 78 African,
Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.
The cornerstone of the Programme is devising sound policies and plans to ensure sustainable use
of fisheries and the development of value-added activities. Therefore, in addition to improving
plans and policies at the regional and national levels, ACP Fish II Programme will also see results
such as reinforcing the Regions control and enforcement capabilities; reinforcing research
strategies and initiatives as well as developing business supportive regulatory framework and
increasing knowledge sharing at all levels in the sector, advised Dr Sandra Grant, Regional
Programme Manager for the Caribbean of the ACP Fish II Programme.
The European Union is made up of 27 Member States who have decided to gradually link together
their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they
have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural
diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The EU is committed to sharing its achievements and
its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders. The European Commission is the EUs
executive body.

For further information please contact:

ACP Fish II Programme Regional Manager for the Caribbean Region, Sandra Grant;
E-Mail: s.grant@acpfish2-eu.org; Telephone: 011(501) 223 2974; Fax: 011(501) 223 2975
Local Media Contact: Cecil Thoms; Telephone: 1(876) 927 1731 or Nicole West-Hayles;
Telephone: 1(876) 359 7783
For further information on the ACP Fish II Programme, please visit: http://www.acpfish2eu.org
Kingston, Jamaica

An EU Funded Programme
Support to Formulate an Aquaculture
Land and Water Use Development Plan for Jamaica
CAR-3.1-B12
Media Advisory

KINGSTON, Jamaica.2012 October 1

Release

For Immediate

WHO
The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF) and the ACP Fish II
Programme Regional Co-ordinating Unit invite coverage of

WHAT

Validation Workshop

WHERE
Farmers Training Centre, Aquaculture Branch, Twickenham Park, Spanish
Town, St. Catherine

WHEN

Wednesday, October 3, 2012; 2.00 p.m.

SPEAKERS

Honourable Roger Clarke, MP - Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries

Mr Jeus Orus Baguena - Head of Operations, Delegation of the European Union

BACKGROUND A workshop is being convened to hear and validate the report on the study
conducted over the past four months to develop a Land and Water Use Development Plan for
Aquaculture and Blue Print for an Action Plan for Aquaculture in Jamaica.

The opportunity will further be used to demonstrate the preparation and tasting of Tilapia to
promote its consumption by Jamaica Culinary Federation, Longville Farms, Rainforest Foods and
Dr Marc Panton.

The ACP Fish II Programme is a four and a half year, EUR30.0M programme funded by the
European Union through the EDF. It has been formulated to strengthen fisheries management,
improve food security and alleviate poverty in 78 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states.

-30For further information please contact:

ACP Fish II Programme Regional Manager for the Caribbean Region, Dr Sandra Grant
E-Mail: s.grant@acpfish2-eu.org; Telephone: 011(501) 223 2974; Fax: 011(501) 223 2975

Local Media Contact:

Cecil Thoms; Telephone: 1(876) 927 1731 or Nicole West-Hayles; Telephone: 1(876) 359 7783
For further information on the ACP Fish II Programme, please visit: http://www.acpfish2-eu.org
Jamaica Information Service - http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads-103/31927
Caribbean News Now - http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headline-ACP-programme-to-boostJamaica%27s-aquaculture-development-plan-12849.html
Bajan Reporter - http://www.bajanreporter.com/2012/10/acp-fish-ii-programme-boost-jamaicasaquaculture-development-plan/
Jamaicans.Com - http://www.jamaicans.com/news/announcements/ACP-Fish-II-Programme-BoostJamaicas-Aquaculture-Development-Plan.shtml