Minister of Agriculture, Christopher Tufton informed that Jamaica is primarily, as a region, a territory of small artisan fishers. At the launch of the European Union (EU) workshop on fishery and aquaculture standards Dr Tufton said that the workshop was of particular importance, as it provided an opportunity to expand and sustain existing economic activities in the sector.
He told that within the region, there are approximately 250,000 residents who are directly linked to the fishery sector. But there are another 1.5 million persons who are indirectly involved. The export value of fishery related products is somewhere in the region of US$1.2 billion. According to Tufton the workshop allowed for greater understanding of the various markets and practices that were available across the region and the world.
He told that the workshop will help generating common understanding among those of us who are involved in our respective territories, in taking advantage of those opportunities that exist within that particular marketplace. Charge d’Affaires at the European Commission Delegation to Jamaica, Helen Jenkinson, in her remarks, said a major aim of the workshop is to inform the sector about EU food standards.
