Nine government agencies in Jamaica have joined forces on a new Multi-agency Fisheries Crime Coordinating Mechanism to combat organized crime in the fishing sector.

Jamaica’s national mechanism, the first of its kind in the Caribbean, came into force with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 23 November with support from the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Blue Resilience project funded under the Norwegian Blue Justice Initiative (BJI).  

Jamaica’s region-leading move follows a commitment earlier this year by several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to take up the Norwegian government’s offer of technical support under the BJI, with facilitation from UNDP’s Blue Resilience project.

As part of the package of technical support to the government, Jamaica has also officially become a member of the global Blue Justice Community, a secure online platform administered by the UNDP, which facilitates secure communication among governments and analysts at the Norwegian International Blue Justice Tracking Centre. Notably, member governments of the Blue Justice Community can receive vessel tracking services on a regular basis to strengthen monitoring of vessels being used for criminal intent.

The nine agencies signing on to the MOU at the recently held launch at the AC Marriott Hotel in Kingston were: Ministry of Labour and Social Security; Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; Maritime Authority of Jamaica; The National Fisheries Authority; Port Authority of Jamaica; Jamaica Defense Force; Jamaica Customs Agency; Jamaica Constabulary Force; and the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency.

Amid calls for Jamaica to become the regional hub for the Blue Justice Initiative, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. Minister Charles Jr. welcomed this prospect. “[This] hub, with the necessary human, financial and technological resources, will undoubtedly create a platform for more effective deterrence mechanisms against the scourge of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing and related crimes in the region,” he said, according to a report from the Jamaica Information Service.

He noted that the fisheries sector represents a great opportunity for growth in the Ministry but pointed out that recent estimates have shown that Jamaica suffers losses of up to $200 million JMD from IUU fishing, with significant losses from the highly lucrative conch and lobster trade.

Minister Charles called the new multi-agency mechanism big news for Jamaica. He said, “this is the kind of collective, comprehensive approach that we have to take to tackle any challenge for us at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.” He reassured his Norwegian BJI counterparts that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries remains committed to the fight against IUU fishing.

“Fisheries crime is a problem that needs more attention all over the world and the BJI is helping us with that. Through worldwide cooperation we are building robust and more effective institutions to fight criminals”, stated Norway’s Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran in a prerecorded message. “Together we will work towards a sustainable and fair Blue Economy free from fisheries crime,” he said.   

UNDP Resident Representative Denise E Antonio called the ocean a storehouse of food, medicine, minerals, jobs, products and livelihoods representing 90% of the world’s trade and contributing 3 to 6 trillion USD to the world economy. “Unfortunately, Fisheries Crime erodes this storehouse …benefitting a few but in its path, (with) a rippling effect of environmental, social and economic devastation that destroys humanity and leaves countries and people behind”, she outlined.

Ms Antonio said, “the multidimensional nature of fisheries crime demands a response that is integrated, strategic and cooperative in nature”. She urged the multiagency team to continue to engage in meaningful partnerships and collaboration across Ministries, Academia, and other stakeholders; to promote robust and responsive policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks; to focus on the use of evidence and technology; and to strengthen national and regional coordination. 

She thanked the Government of Norway, the UNDP Nordic Representation Office (NRO) for its support of the BJI through technical advisory services, capacity strengthening and access to data and resources and reiterated UNDP’s commitment to supporting countries in combating fisheries crime.

“One agency or one Ministry [alone] can never achieve this outcome. Therefore, the ministries and agencies present here today have identified jointly the need to unite, communicate and share vital information to make our individual and collective responsibilities easier and more efficient,” said Chief Executive Officer of the National Fisheries Authority, Dr. Gavin Bellamy. He said the launch “demonstrates a step forward in improving our ability to deter IUU and organised crimes associated with the fisheries sector”.

In October 2021, Jamaica became one of 12 Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Member States to sign the International Declaration on Transnational Organized Crime in the Global Fishing Industry, also known as the ‘Copenhagen Declaration’. At the same time the countries also endorsed the BJI. 

According to the BJI, fisheries crime is widespread, usually transnational, largely organised, and negatively impacts states’ economies, distorts markets, harms the environment, and undermines human rights including food security. Fisheries crime therefore includes document fraud, tax evasion, corruption, money laundering, human trafficking, and illegal fishing. 

UNDP’s support to Jamaica’s participation in the Blue Resilience Project is offered under the Citizen Safety and Security and Rule of Law pillar of its current country programme 2022 – 2026. 

Note: Quotes from Minister Charles and Dr Gavin Bellamy are sourced from a Jamaica Information Service story and adapted for this news release.