Consultancy to Formulate a Strategic Action Plan and Draft Regulations to Facilitate Community Based Fisheries Management, Monitoring, Control, Surveillance and Enforcement

In an effort to improve its fisheries, conserve marine and coastal biodiversity, and build resilience to climate change, Jamaica has established Special Fishery Conservation Areas (SFCAs) to protect near shore marine areas. SFCAs are no-fishing zones reserved for the reproduction of fish populations and maintenance of fish habitats. It is hoped that the SFCAs will gradually increase fish populations threatened by overfishing, restore degraded marine and coastal habitats, and provide coastal protection during extreme events. While a considerable amount of effort has been invested in establishing the SFCAs, Jamaica’s fisheries are currently monitored through a centralised, top-down approach with government-led regulations and little involvement of local communities. To ensure compliance with the SFCA management measures, Jamaica plans to move away from the traditional monitoring and enforcement by government towards participatory or co-operative management in partnership with local fishing communities and NGOs.