Jamaica's fisheries in grave danger from poachers - Honeyghan

Despite the arrest of more than 100 locals and foreigners in the last two weeks for illegal fishing in Jamaican waters, the major organization representing fishermen says much more will have to be done to contain what has become a major problem.

The Jamaica Fishermen's Cooperative Union says the authorities responded too late.

Jamaica's territorial waters have been under increased surveillance since the acquisition of  offshore patrol vessels, but Havelan Honeyghan, Vice Chairman of  the Jamaica Fishermen Cooperative Union, contends that the recent enforcement activities are inadequate, given the years of  neglect of  Jamaica's fisheries industry.

“It is only in recent years that the government (has been) paying attention to our marine sector,” Honeyghan told RJR News.

But even now, he argued, the concentration is limited to a focus primarily on shell fish, particularly conch and lobster, with the depleting stock of fin fish being largely ignored.

“We need to take everything into consideration,” he declared.

Mr. Honeyghan estimates that Jamaica has been losing more than US$10 million annually over the last 30 years, due to illegal fishing.

“It should have been taken care of a long, long time ago; more stringent measures should have been put in place,” he said, warning that if adequate protections are not introduced shortly, it will be too late to save the sector.