Government of Jamaica
NFA, Grange Pen Fishers Association and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts Partner to Protect Reefs and Boost Local Economy
Source: National Fisheries Authority
Kingston, Jamaica—In a major step toward Jamaica’s goal of conserving 20,000 hectares of marine ecosystems by 2030, the National Fisheries Authority, Grange Pen Fishers Association and the Iberostar Hotels & Resorts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the Grange Pen Fish Sanctuary in Lilliput, St. James. Through this partnership, more than 10 new local marine-based jobs will be created while protecting 3.3 million square meters of critical reef habitat.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Iberostar Rose Hall Complex on May 21, the Honourable Floyd Green, MP, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, praised the partnership as a transformative step for Jamaica’s blue economy, highlighting its dual focus on environmental protection and sustainable livelihoods.
“This MOU represents more than just an agreement— it’s a promise to future generations. By clearly defining stakeholder roles and fostering community ownership, we’re safeguarding our marine resources and ensuring Jamaicans can continue to utilise and benefit from our seas.”
Minister Green emphasised the critical role of fisherfolk in this achievement, noting that their organised participation was instrumental in reaching this milestone.
“While the sanctuary was gazetted last year, today’s signing reflects our commitment to collaborative governance—with fishers at the heart of the process. A special mention to the Iberostar Hotels & Resorts team who engaged the Oracabessa Fish Sanctuary who would have gone through this process of establishing a fish sanctuary and have been sharing knowledge and expertise with the stakeholders here to ensure that this Grange Pen Fish Sanctuary becomes a reality,” he stated.
Reflecting on the broader vision, Minister Green added, “We are creating the Jamaica that we want to see and collectively move forward to having a fish sanctuary that will ultimately benefit us all.”
A Commitment to Sustainable Marine Management
Fish sanctuaries play a crucial role in marine conservation by allowing ecosystems to recover from overfishing and habitat degradation. Effective sanctuary management ensures the protection of breeding grounds, promotes species diversity, and enhances the overall productivity of surrounding fishing areas.
In addition to the sanctuary itself, there are also coral nurseries growing on the same reef and a marine lab located inside Iberostar Rose Hall Beach complex, where scientists and trained staff are working together to help rebuild damaged reef systems.
By July 2025, 20 buoys will be installed to clearly mark the sanctuary and protect the reef from boat anchors, encouraging responsible use of the area.
Speaking on the project, Victor Galvan, Director of Nature at Iberostar Hotels & Resorts said, “We are proud to work side-by-side with Jamaican fishers, communities, and authorities on this important step forward. Our goal is simple—to help protect the beautiful coastline we all rely on, while supporting those who live and work closest to it. Jamaica is not just a place we operate in—it’s a place we care deeply about.”
Additionally, Dr. Gavin Bellamy, Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority, commended the local fishers who completed specialized training and have now been officially gazetted as fisheries inspectors. He emphasized that these inspectors will operate under the framework of the nine core principles established in Jamaica’s Fisheries Act (2018).
“This partnership represents a transformative approach to marine conservation,” stated Dr. Bellamy. ” We’re already observing that in Marine Protected Areas, there are promising signs of recovery, with increased biomass by over 2000%, leading to larger catches for fishers — a direct benefit of a sanctuary’s spillover effect. The protection of our reefs and seabed will create lasting positive impacts for this community, Jamaica, and the wider Caribbean region. Through this collaboration with local fishers and Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, we’re achieving the dual goals of safeguarding marine ecosystems while strengthening the economic future of fishing communities that rely on these precious resources.” This partnership sets a precedent for public-private collaboration in marine conservation, demonstrating that environmental protection and economic prosperity can go hand in hand.