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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment
and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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By Peter Espeut, Executive Director of the
Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation,
writing in the Jamaica Gleaner, 30 June 1999
THE
FOOD and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations declares June 29 each year as International
Fishermen's Day. Many other Caribbean countries and territories observe it and
give due recognition to their fishers. In some Caribbean countries, the week
surrounding the day is observed as Fisherman's Week, and exhibitions and displays,
sports and games take place which 'big up' the fishing community.
We do not do this in Jamaica. We do not give recognition to the men and the
women involved in the capture and sale of fish, probably because they are totally
in the informal sector and are considered to be poor. Despite their contribution
to food security, fishers are positioned quite low on the scale of social status,
and are largely ignored by the wider society.
Indeed, fishing has been treated as a sump for the unemployed, as a mechanism
to absorb persons who cannot find employment elsewhere. The Jamaican fishery
is open to everyone as if the resources are unlimited; very few regulations
have been created, and there has been no enforcement of the few laws which do
exist. For example, provision for the declaration of fish sanctuaries has been
sparsely used; even now there is no minimum fishpot mesh size stipulated in
law.
Although one needs a licence to fish, the licence is free (except to fish on
the Pedro Cays: that licence costs 10 cents per year) and freely available.
The number of fishers has been allowed to rise so that income per fisher has
declined; so they fish harder. The stock of fish is finite, and Jamaica's total
catch has sharply declined, despite the fact that our fishers are going further
out. CARICOM has determined that Jamaica has the most overfished waters in the
Caribbean. The Government seems only interested in the high-value lobster and
conch resources, and has ignored the largely small-scale (artisanal) finfish
sector.
Small engine
In addition to the financial risk, the fishing profession involves risk to life
and limb, and each year several fishers pay the ultimate price. You would think
that being out in a small boat with a small engine would compel fishers to stock
up on safety equipment like lifejackets and signal flares, not just because
it is the law, but because it is common sense; but having these gear are the
exception rather than the rule, and there is no enforcement.
So the corner of the artisanal fishers looks dark, with many of their problems
being of their own doing, which is both problem and opportunity. It is an opportunity
because if fishers could only get their act together, they could solve most
of their problems themselves!
This is what is happening in the Portland Bight area of St. Catherine and Clarendon.
With the help of an NGO, the fishers of Hellshire and Old Harbour Bay in St.
Catherine, and Welcome Beach, Mitchell Town, Portland Cottage and Rocky Point
in Clarendon have joined with relevant government agencies to form the Portland
Bight Fisheries Management Council (PBFMC). Yesterday - Fisherman's Day - was
their fourth anniversary; they have had 47 monthly meetings since June 1995,
missing only one due to the December 1997 General Election.
And the record of their achievements is substantial. They began by reviewing
all existing fisheries legislation and found them wanting, so they drafted a
suite of regulations they felt would restore the stocks and increase the fish
stocks. They have recommended fees for permits to fish, and penalties for breaches
of the regulations. Noted Caribbean fisheries scientist, Dr. Robin Mahon has
predicted that if the PBFMC-drafted regulations are implemented, the catch in
Portland Bight should more than double!
Training
About 50 Portland Bight fishers have been appointed Honorary Game Wardens and
Fisheries Inspectors by the Governor-General under the Wildlife Protection Act
and the Fishing Industry Act. They receive training annually, and are responsible
for enforcing existing laws. They are respected by their peers, especially since
they have a 100 per cent conviction rate so far in court! These fishers are
not prepared just to complain; they are taking action to protect the marine
resources which are their livelihoods!
Now that Portland Bight has been declared a Protected Area under Section 5 of
the NRCA Act, fisheries management in Portland Bight is set to take off! Yesterday
the fishers of Portland Bight gathered at the JAMALCO Sports Club for their
first Symposium on Fisheries Management to confirm their commitment to the process
and to work out some details. Let us pay tribute to our Jamaican fishers, who
are trying to make their industry work. Let us hope that others will support
them in their efforts to improve their lot and the patrimony that Jamaica will
bequeath to those yet unborn.
Peter Espeut is a sociologist and executive director of an environment and development NGO.
For more information, please contact:
Peter A. Espeut,
Executive Director,
Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) Foundation,
7 Lloyds Close,
Kingston 8
JAMAICA, W.I.
Fax: (876) 978-7641
