Government of Jamaica
The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) has announced a six-month moratorium on licence and registration fees for fishers severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
The NFA says the move comes from a joint effort with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to support the sector in its ‘Back to Sea Safely’ action plan.
The fee waiver, which took effect Wednesday, applies to all registered fishers in the western and central parishes, which bore the brunt of the hurricane’s impact.
The designated parishes are Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland and Hanover, St. James, Trelawny and St. Ann.
Dr. Gavin Bellamy, Chief Executive Officer of the NFA, says the moratorium is designed to alleviate financial pressure on fishers and support the recovery of the local fishing industry.
The waiver covers individual and vessel licence fees, as well as inspection fees for artisanal commercial fishing activity only.