lobster may also be using private jetties.
Fishing practices/systems
The fleet consists of 95% of open boats made of reinforced fibreglass plastic (FRP), ranging in size from 3.6 to
9 m, powered by one or two outboard motors (25 to 75 HP, mainly 40 HP). Only 5% of the fleet are bigger
boats. The total number of fishing vessels registered by Jamaica in 2012 was 4 107. In 2014 the number went
up to 6 700, of which around 21 percent has no engine, while CARICOM report indicated the participation of
approximately 9 000 ships including 5 971 registered as artisanal boats and 87 as industrial vessels. In 2017,
fleet registers 7 100 vessels.
Traps are used for the lobster fisheries, while diving is used for Queen conch. Some small scale fisheries exists
for shrimp and other demersal species.
Main resources
Most of the resources that constitute the traditional coastal fishing in Jamaica, primarily species associated with
reefs (snappers, groupers, lobsters, etc.), are overfished. The status of pelagic resources is unknown.
Management applied to main fisheries
Conch and lobster fisheries are managed through closed season, minimum sizes, fishers licenses, etc. All other
fisheries are practically open access, with some no take zones established recently. Conch and lobster fishers
are licensed. The conch fishers have to obtain a license since 2000, while lobster licensing started in 2017.
Management objectives
To ensure optimum social and economic benefits to Jamaica.
Management measures and institutional arrangements
Conch fisheries have a closed season for Conch of seven months (during 2017-2018 from 1 September 2017
through to 1 April 2018). During this period the fishing of Queen conch is strictly prohibited by law. Under the
Fishing Industry (Conservation of Conch (Genus: Strombus)) Regulations, 2000, every licensed fisherman and
every person in charge of commercial cold storage facilities, hotels and eating establishments, planning to have
conch meat in storage during the Close Season for Conch must send a signed declaration inclusive of the
quantity, description (level of processing) and the address where the product is being stored must be submitted
to the Fisheries Division.
Since July 2017, there is a new lobster regime in place which includes the application fee of $125 000, which
will be for a two-year period. During that period, sanctions for catching under-size and berried lobsters, as well
as harvesting the crustacean during the annual close season, which runs from April 1-June 30, are in place. The
spiny lobster fishery is managed using closed seasons, minimum size regulations, gear restrictions and the
prohibition of the taking of berried lobsters and moulting lobsters. Spiny lobsters that are found to carry eggs
and / or spiny lobsters that have not reached the minimum size of 7.62 cm or (3 inches) measured from the eyes
to the end of the carapace (back not including the tail) are illegal throughout the year and will continue to be
enforced by the Police, Fishery Inspectors, Game Wardens and other law enforcement officers.
In addition to a valid fishing licence from the Fisheries Division, all fishers (lobster and conch) must have valid
food handler's certification from the Ministry of Public Health. Another vital requirement is written
authorisation from the Veterinary Services Division verifying that all the vessels meet hygiene standards under
the Aquaculture, Inland and Marine Products and By-Special Fishery Conservation Areas (SFCA) are no-
fishing zones reserved for the reproduction of fish populations. Their nature reserve statuses are declared by the
Agriculture Minister under Orders privileged through Section 18 of the Fishing Industry Act of 1975. It is,
therefore, illegal and punishable by law to engage in any unauthorized fishing activities in the demarcated