Jamaica launches first-ever marine fish farming pilot

Jamaica has launched its first-ever marine fish farming pilot, marking a major step in developing the country's blue economy.

The initiative, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and the National Fisheries Authority (NFA), is part of a wider Caribbean programme to pioneer sustainable marine finfish and crustacean farming.

The pilot focuses on red snapper under the Shrimp and Red Snapper Pilot Grow-Out within the CARICOM initiative, and involves a $63 million investment covering Jamaica’s red snapper grow-out project, alongside shrimp projects in Saint Lucia and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

A new marine centre has been constructed at the NFA Bowden Harbour facility in St Thomas to serve as a hub for research, training, and technical support. Red snapper fingerlings have been imported, and two 12-meter cages have been built, launched, and moored in Bowden Harbour.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green described the project as a “historic step for Jamaica,” saying it allows the country to take “decisive control of our food security and pioneer a new frontier for our blue economy.”

He added that the pilot will relieve pressure on reef fish, reduce dependency on imported seafood, and create more reliable livelihoods for fishers.

The pilot also supports the Ministry’s New Era of Agriculture and Fisheries, aiming to modernize the sector, expand aquaculture production, and unlock economic opportunities for coastal communities.

NFA CEO Dr Gavin Bellamy noted that the successful deployment of Jamaica’s first marine finfish cages marks the dawn of a new era for fisheries. The project includes capacity-building for NFA staff, with international experts training local officers in cage construction, mooring, and marine finfish farming techniques.

FAO Representative Dr Ana Touza highlighted the initiative’s role in tackling global food challenges, noting that sustainable aquaculture helps produce high-quality seafood while reducing pressure on overfished wild stocks.

The pilot will continue with the transfer of fingerlings into the cages for growth monitoring, aiming to create a climate-resilient, sustainable fishery. Beyond production, the initiative seeks to provide livelihoods for coastal communities and expand regional aquaculture as a sustainable income source.

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