Government of Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica—The National Fisheries Authority (NFA) is advising all applicants of updated protocols governing the processing of fisher and vessel applications. These measures are intended to enhance service efficiency and uphold the integrity of the licensing process.
Effective September 1, 2026, applicants will receive a formal notification advising that their application will be closed after a specified period if the NFA is unable to reach them or if they fail to provide requested information within the agreed timeframe.
Kemeisha Harrison-Plummer, Senior Director of Licensing and Registration at the NFA, highlighted growing concerns regarding incomplete submissions.
“We currently have a significant number of applications pending completion because we are awaiting additional information from applicants. This has led to a growing backlog. To improve processing efficiency and ensure timely service delivery, we have introduced changes to the application process.”
Under the updated guidelines, for fisher applications, if the NFA cannot contact the applicant to obtain additional information, or if there is a delay on the applicant’s part, the application will be closed thirty (30) days from the date of submission. For vessel applications, the timeframe for providing additional information or complying with an officer’s instructions is forty-two (42) days, or six (6) weeks, from the date of submission.
The Licensing and Registration Unit encourages all applicants to ensure their contact information is accurate and to respond promptly to all communications from the office. These steps are essential to avoid unnecessary delays or application closure.
Once all required information is received, processing timelines for fisher applications is seven (7) days to process and complete whereas vessel applications will take fourteen (14) days to process and complete.
The NFA also reminds applicants that all fees are non-refundable, including in cases where an application is closed due to information not being provided within the stipulated timeframe. The National Fisheries Authority remains committed to “Reeling in Excellence – One Quality Catch at a Time!” and appreciates the cooperation of all stakeholders in adhering to these guidelines.