News

Fishermen's loss estimated in millions

FISHERMEN ARE USUALLY among some of the worst affected in the agricultural sector following a hurricane.

Preliminary assessments have placed the damage incurred by the fishermen in hurricanes Emily and Dennis at millions. One of the main items lost by fishermen are fishing pots which continue to be washed away or destroyed by storm surges and other storm-like conditions which occur during a hurricane.

Peter Espeut, executive director of the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation, which manages the Portland Bight area, had suggested following Hurricane Ivan, that fishermen collect their fish pots before a hurricane reaches Jamaica since there is ample warning provided by weather systems.

However, he said fishermen have refused claiming that they have about 50 pots at sea and their boats can only accommodate 10 pots at a time. This would mean they would have to make five trips and they are not willing to do this.

He adds that the lost pots often remain at sea catching fish which eventually die because they cannot be let out. He said the fishermen cannot mark their fish pots with floats because of the threat of pirates who may steal the fish, so they often use landmarks as pointers to find their pots.

Steve Smikle of the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture says he is currently spearheading a survey to determine the extent of the loss suffered by fishermen in hurricanes Dennis and Emily.

From the survey some propo-sals to minimise the losses of the fishermen should be seen. He said among some of the proposals will be to have fishermen retrieve their pots when a hurricane is on its way. However, this will depend on a number of factors such as sufficient warning for the fishermen. The survey will be completed before the end of the year.