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Tufton moves to increase illegal fishing charge
Published: Monday | June 13, 2011 0 Comments
Mark Titus, Gleaner [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Writer[/COLOR][/COLOR]
WESTERN BUREAU:
MINISTER OF Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton, says the Government will be moving to bring the current fees charged to those caught fishing illegally in Jamaican waters on par with other countries.
The current fine in the local courts for such a breach stands at US$2.35 (approximately J$197.40), which he labels as a mere drop in the bucket.
"The fines imposed by our regional neighbours are several times higher than the fines allowed for under our existing legislation," he said during his keynote address at the Gillings Gully Fishermen's Co-operative Society Limited's annual general [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]meeting[/COLOR][/COLOR] in Whitehouse, Westmoreland last Thursday.
"These fines must be brought on par with the fines imposed by other countries in order to discourage illegal fishing in our waters."
The new legislation will give the courts a wider and greater option of fines similar to what entails in regional territories that could be used as a deterrent without vessel seizure.
This, Tufton said, would be tabled in the House of Representatives this financial year.
He referred to the seizure of two Jamaican vessels by Nicaraguan authorities in April, which saw the owners forking out approximately US $35,000 to retrieve their boats.
"If such a breach had taken place in Jamaican waters by [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Nicaraguan[/COLOR][/COLOR] vessels the maximum penalty chargeable would be US$2.30 per vessel."
The minister said the local enforcement authorities have long expressed concern and while admitting that it was mere speculation on his part, noted that there should be a high level of frustration among agents of the state when apprehensions are made and fines allowed for under existing legislation do not act as a deterrent.
"The truth is that I believe that the leniency of the current laws that we have, Jamaican waters has been used in a very significant way for illegal poaching and illegal [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]fishing [COLOR=blue !important]activities[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]," he added.
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Published: Monday | June 13, 2011 0 Comments
Mark Titus, Gleaner [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Writer[/COLOR][/COLOR]
WESTERN BUREAU:
MINISTER OF Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton, says the Government will be moving to bring the current fees charged to those caught fishing illegally in Jamaican waters on par with other countries.
The current fine in the local courts for such a breach stands at US$2.35 (approximately J$197.40), which he labels as a mere drop in the bucket.
"The fines imposed by our regional neighbours are several times higher than the fines allowed for under our existing legislation," he said during his keynote address at the Gillings Gully Fishermen's Co-operative Society Limited's annual general [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]meeting[/COLOR][/COLOR] in Whitehouse, Westmoreland last Thursday.
"These fines must be brought on par with the fines imposed by other countries in order to discourage illegal fishing in our waters."
The new legislation will give the courts a wider and greater option of fines similar to what entails in regional territories that could be used as a deterrent without vessel seizure.
This, Tufton said, would be tabled in the House of Representatives this financial year.
He referred to the seizure of two Jamaican vessels by Nicaraguan authorities in April, which saw the owners forking out approximately US $35,000 to retrieve their boats.
"If such a breach had taken place in Jamaican waters by [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]Nicaraguan[/COLOR][/COLOR] vessels the maximum penalty chargeable would be US$2.30 per vessel."
The minister said the local enforcement authorities have long expressed concern and while admitting that it was mere speculation on his part, noted that there should be a high level of frustration among agents of the state when apprehensions are made and fines allowed for under existing legislation do not act as a deterrent.
"The truth is that I believe that the leniency of the current laws that we have, Jamaican waters has been used in a very significant way for illegal poaching and illegal [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]fishing [COLOR=blue !important]activities[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]," he added.
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