Salutations

• Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., MP, Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries 
• Hon. Matthew Samuda, MP, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation 
• Hon. Bjornar Selnes Skjaeran, Minister of Fisheries & Ocean Policy, Norway
• Hon. Frank Witter, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
• Mr Gunnar Stolsvik, Head of the Blue Justice Secretariat
• Dr. Gavin Bellamy, CEO, National Fisheries Authority
• Dr. Emma Witbooi, Project Lead – UNDP Blue Resilience Project
• Other Specially Invited Guests

Good morning.

The Ocean is a storehouse of food, medicine, minerals, jobs, products and livelihoods and is the gateway for 90% of the world’s trade.

In Jamaica, close to 40 000 fishers make a living from this resource and the World Bank estimates that the Blue Economy contributes 3 to 6 trillion USD to the world economy.   

Unfortunately, Fisheries Crime erodes this storehouse. 

These crimes are not only limited to illegal fishing and its value chain, but is extended to human trafficking, fraud, corruption, tax crime and many others.

Benefitting a few but in its path, the impact is a rippling effect of environmental, social and economic devastation that destroys humanity and leaves countries and people behind.  

According to UNODC, the value of fish lost to criminal activities alone is suggested to be between $10-23.5 billion annually. 

For Small Island Developing States like Jamaica, the complex and pervasive nature of fisheries crime and the long-term impact on the socio-economic development is evident. 

That’s why today’s launch of the Multi-Agency Mechanism to combat Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported Fishing and fisheries crime, is an important and significant milestone of Jamaica’s commitment to addressing this critical development challenge.

Let me commend the Government of Jamaica for taking the bold step to launch this important interagency mechanism just one year after signing the Copenhagen Declaration.

The multidimensional nature of the threat demands a response that is integrated, strategic and cooperative in nature. 

This is demonstrated here today in the cooperation within and across Government agencies in Jamaica.  Through this initiative, Jamaica can also serve as the champion for the Caribbean and its neighbouring countries to tackle these illegal and criminal acts. 

As you advance this work on the Multiagency Mechanism, let me recommend for your consideration the following:
First, continue to engage in meaningful partnership and collaboration across Ministries, Academia, and other stakeholders. 

Second, promote the advancement of robust and responsive policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks to anchor your coordinated response. 

Third, focus on the use of evidence and technology driven approaches to amplify the effectiveness and efficiency of your efforts;

and fourth, strengthen national and regional Coordination among partners. 

Let me extend sincere thanks and appreciation to the Government of Norway, the UNDP Nordic Representation Office (NRO) for its support of the Blue Justice Initiative (BJI) through technical advisory services, capacity strengthening and access to data and resources to advance this important work. Please know that you can continue to count on the support of UNDP here in Jamaica as you journey in this endeavour while leveraging our global network of expertise.

Working together, including sensitizing the public, let us ensure equitable and sustainable use of our ocean for transformative local and regional action on the Blue Economy as a new frontier in economic growth.  
Thank you.