MOU With Chinese Government Will Not Allow Chinese Vessels or Fishers to Fish in Local Waters

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries has taken note of discussions in the press relating to a Memorandum of Understanding between MICAF and the Ministry of General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China.
The MOU, which was signed on September 22, 2017, deals specifically with hygiene, sanitation and certification matters to allow for cooperation between Jamaica and China on sanitary and phytosanitary issues in order to permit the export of Jamaican live lobsters to China.
It does not allow Chinese vessels or fishers to fish in Jamaican waters.
Members of the local fishing industry have repeatedly appealed to the Government of Jamaica for assistance in accessing diverse markets, including China, for the export of their fishery products.
The Jamaican government has been working closely with the Chinese government to allow for easier access of Jamaican live lobsters into the Chinese market.
The signing of this MOU, paves the way for duly licenced Jamaican fishery processing establishments to be able to export live lobsters to China.
The Ministry’s decision to assist fishermen with accessing this new market was taken with careful consideration for the sustainable management of the nation’s fisheries.

Contact: Karlene Brown Tel: 968-8669