FISHERMEN across 57 beaches in 11 parishes received certificates in safety at a graduation ceremony on November 19. Their training formed part of the Jamaica Fishermen Co-operative enhancement of the cold chain supply and safety project, which benefited 2,000 fisherfolk and 400 fish vendors.

The project fell under the rural economic development initiative being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) with funds from the Government and the World Bank. A total of $18.2 million was expended under the project.

Speaking at the graduation, Scarlette Gillings, JSIF managing director, said that in 2013, the project provided critical equipment through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to provide fish vendors with essentials like coolers, while selected fishermen were supplied life jackets, marine flares and training in basic seamanship and navigation skills.

“For JSIF, this initiative falls under capacity building in the area of business development and poverty reduction through business opportunities and wealth creation; areas which have formed a new direction for the fund in the last four years.”

The training was done in conjunction with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and the Caribbean Maritime Institute.

The rural economic development initiative was started in 2010 with US$15 million in funding from the World Bank to assist small groups in obtaining knowledge of market needs, market demand and also improve product quality and production techniques.