June 29 is International Fisherman’s Day

Fisherfolk across Jamaica will join their international counterparts in celebrating Fisherman’s Day 2018 on Friday, June 29, with the highlight of the day being a symposium to be held at the Cardiff Hall Hotel in St Ann under the theme Securing Sustainable Fisheries – The Impact of Crime.

The symposium is organized by the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation in collaboration with the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Jamaica Fishermen’s Cooperative, Food for the Poor and New Fortress Energy and Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Audley Shaw, will be the main speaker.

International Fisherman’s Day (IFD) is celebrated annually on June 29 in different countries across the world where the celebrations may last for several days.  Historically, June 29 is celebrated as the feast day of St. Peter, patron saint of fisherfolk, denoting the religious significance that accompanies this day that is also often associated with festivities, including  regattas, sporting activities, expos, and a symposium.

Jamaica’s week-long celebrations this year commenced with a Thanksgiving Service held on Sunday, June 24. It includes islandwide safety at sea training sessions and will conclude with a fishing tournament at Galleon Beach in St Elizabeth.                           

The annual week of activities is spearheaded by the Fisherman’s Day Committee and is designed to support the development and conservation of the fishing industry by recognizing the contribution of fisherfolk; strengthen linkages between fishing communities, vendors, processors, government and non-government agencies, and other stakeholders; and promoting the developments, changes, and opportunities within the sector.

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