The Kingston Harbour Fisheries Presenter: G. Andre Kong, Director of Fisheries November 6, 2003, Conference Centre.
KINGSTON HARBOUR S S CP S CP CP CP CP RF
Arrangement of Presentation Major elements of the Kingston Harbour Fisheries. Social and economic importance. Major threats to the Kingston Harbour Fisheries. Factors contributing to these threats and problems. Current issues and initiatives related to the Kingston Harbour Fisheries. Concluding remarks.
Major Elements of the Kingston Harbour Fisheries. The Kingston Harbour support recreational, subsistence and commercial fisheries. Very little information is available on the recreational and subsistence fisheries activities. 3,386 registered commercial fishers 8 fishing beaches and other landing sites that surrounds the Kingston Harbour. 50% depend directly on the harbour for their livelihood.
Major Elements of the Kingston Harbour Fisheries. Other 50% depend on the harbour for bait to exploit other fisheries outside the Kingston Harbour. Fisheries resources includes: lobsters, shrimps, conch, coastal pelagics (sprat, etc.), reef and reef associated finfish (snapper, parrot etc.) and larger pelagics such as dolphinfish, Kingfish, mackerels and Jacks. Fishing gears used in the harbour: nets and hook and line. Fish traps and SCUBA gear are used to a lesser extent.
Major Elements of the Kingston Harbour Fisheries. F. Beach Fishers Boats Total Greenwich Farm 552 167 Fishers: 3, 386 Rae Town 327 122 Kingston F. Complex 424 116 Hunts Bay 831 192 Port Royal 500 179 Hellshire 267 54 Harbour Head 121 28 Port Henderson 346 140 Boats: 998 Information based on Fisheries Division s Licensing and Registration System
Socio-economic importance of The Kingston Harbour Fisheries. Nutrition and Food Security: Providing some 1100 MT of fish in sufficiently diverse forms to be available to the poor and rich alike. Sprat is a source of affordable fish protein for many within the Kingston and St. Andrew and surrounding areas. protein that is available all year round. Religious and cultural significance especially in the corporate area as it is a well sort after commodity during the Easter and almost a must on the menu at nine night ceremonies.
Socio-economic importance of The Kingston Harbour Fisheries. Poverty alleviation. Many of the Kingston Harbour Fishers are the poorest and most marginalized and have little or no other economic activity available to them. Many from other sectors turn to the Harbour fisheries seasonally, or permanently when faced with unemployment and poverty.
Socio-economic importance of The Kingston Harbour Fisheries. Employment opportunities for many, especially those in the so-called inner city. There are Fish harvesters (i.e. the fishers) pot makers, boat builders, net makers etc. etc. There are even persons who earns money by scaling and gutting fish on the beaches or those that help to load the boat before it goes to sea and off-load the catch and equipment when it comes back to port. In many cases this is their only or major source of employment.
Multiplier Benefits of Fisheries Fun Vendors Families Boat repairers Customers K.H. Fisheries Business Gear Repairers Boat builders Scalers
THE PROBLEMS/THREATS FACING THE FISHERIES Pollution; industrial wastes, solid waste and raw sewage. Fish kills and continued reduction in fish catches and income of fishers. The estimated value of the Kingston Harbour fisheries in 1998 was J$336 million (1526 MT) which fell to J$242 million (1100 MT) in 2002. Plummeting fish catches exacerbated by inadequately planned coastal and marine developments leading to degradation of critical marine habitats.
THE PROBLEMS/THREATS FACING THE FISHERIES Competition for the finite beachfront lands and finite marine space, which has resulted in serious conflicts with other users of the harbour and its environs. Despite the myriad of environmental and other problems within the harbour fishing is still an important activity, its preservation is therefore paramount.
Some Factors Contributing to the Problem. No policy framework for fisheries Inadequate institutional support for fishers Lack of recognition of fishers rights by developers Socio-economic importance of Fishing Industry understated /poorly understood. Lack of effective organization among fishers. Lack of fishing beach tenure.
Some Factors Contributing to the Problem. Little or no amenities on fishing beaches such as light, domestic water, sanitary conveniences, security, adequate port facilities etc. Coastal developments, planned or unplanned, which forces fishers off traditional fishing beaches. Lack of adequate data to effectively manage fisheries within the harbour.
Current Issues / Initiatives Efforts to formulate Policy Framework and Strategic Plan for sustainable fisheries in Jamaica (FAO/GOJ 2003/2004). The Greenwich Farm Fishing Beach (GFFB) is in dangerously close proximity to Petrojam oil refinery. Environmental Solutions study on relocating GFFB for the PCJ.
Current Issues / Initiatives Another current issue revolves around the relocation of the Hunts Bay/Causeway Fishers to facilitate Highway 2000. The Fisheries Division is recommending an area of land within the Port Henderson area now owned by the Urban Development Corporation. This area could possibly accommodate a Fisheries Complex.
Area
Conclusion The protection, preservation and sustainable development of the Kingston Harbour fisheries is a non-negotiable negotiable and essential goal for the sustainable management and development of the Kingston Harbour. What are some of the critical ingredients to achieve this essential goal?
Conclusion he empowerment of the Kingston Harbour ishers is paramount to recognition and evelopment ny policy related to fishing must protect the ights of stakeholders. nvironmental degradation must be curtailed to romote recovery of the fisheries and hence arning potential of stakeholders. ntegrated coastal zone management is essential o restoring the environmental integrity of the arbour and is paramount in harmonizing
Conclusion ctor policies must be harmonious to reduce nflicts among users. astal and marine developments must be well anned and take into account impact on akeholders. evelopmental policies must address relocation sues pertaining to dislocated fishers. stainable fishing practices critical to the survival harbour fisheries. nd policies must incorporate issues for fishers uch as tenure).