Ministry probing possible illegal Jamaica, Honduran link

THE MINISTRY of Agriculture is probing a possible local link with the frequent incidents of poaching in Jamaican waters by Honduran and other fishermen.

In recent months, a number of foreign fishing vessels have been spotted in Jamaica's conch- and lobster-rich waters near the Pedro Cays.

At least two Honduran vessels have been seized by the Coastguard and several others have been chased off.

This includes the most recent case which resulted in the fatal shooting of one Honduran fisherman and the injuring of at least two others.

With officials of the two government in talks to prevent a possible diplomatic row, local fishermen are blaming some major Jamaican operators for some of the poaching.

Contact workers

According to the fishermen, local operators make contact with fishermen in Honduras to do deep-sea diving.

The fishermen claim that while some Hondurans live and work from Jamaica, others are contracted and the shipment of lobster and conch purchased from them at sea.

"This is big people business. It is not just some small man a look a load of lobster or conch to go sell in the market. It is big people who sell all across the region," one fisherman claimed.

Only last year, a locally registered entity found itself in hot water in Martinique over the sale of snapper, lobster and conch in that market.

The entity, WASAMAKI, was one of two companies ordered to cease all sale of the products in Martinique and to pay a fine of €1,000.

"We have heard that there could be a link involving persons in Jamaica, but we are yet to determine to what extent," Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton told The Gleaner.

"We are aware that some Jamaicans use the Hondurans who are believed to be either more skilled or take more chances in deep-sea diving," added Tufton.

He said even as the Agriculture Ministry probes the claims, it would continue its push for stiffer fines for persons caught poaching.

Concerned

"We are concerned, and have been for some time, about the illegal poaching taking place in our territorial waters where our marine resources have been and continue to be exploited by foreign vessels," said Tufton recently.

"The legislation is being drafted and the people at the (agriculture) ministry are examining it. Hopefully, we will have it passed early this year," the agriculture minister added on Monday.

He said there will be increased cooperation between the agencies to patrol Jamaican waters where at least 42 foreign vessels were spotted last year.

The illegal harvesting of conch, lobster and other deep-sea fishes by Honduran fishermen in Jamaican waters goes back decades.

It is alleged that the Hondurans have overfished their seas and are now targeting Jamaican waters, which has one of the largest remaining stock of conch in the world.

There is also quite a bit of lobster left on Jamaica's offshore banks.