Witter urges fishers and fish farmers to sign up for insurance coverage

Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Franklin Witter, is urging fishers and fish farmers to grasp the opportunities available for insurance coverage through the various service providers.

This call comes in the wake of a recent shark attack on a fisherman resulting in the loss of his hand.

The Ministry, he said, has collaborated with Sagicor and Advantage General Insurance Company for the implementation of insurance packages for fishers and fish farmers that will protect life, health and property, including fishing vessels.  This is the first of its kind in Jamaica. 

Noting that Sagicor has reopened its intake for health and life insurance programme, which will close in July 2022, the State Minister encouraged the fisherfolk  to take advantage of the opportunity by signing up for one of the packages available .

“I am encouraging fisherfolk to grasp the opportunity and make sure that you get access to these offerings,” said Witter.

He was speaking at the International Fisherman’s Day symposium held at Wembley Centre of Excellence in Clarendon on June 29, 2022 under the theme ‘Small in Size, Big in Value’.

The State Minister also outlined several initiatives being implemented by the Ministry to improve occupational health and safety. These include training in safety at sea by the Caribbean Maritime University for 35 young fishers and safe scuba diving practices for 12 young fishers by the University of the West Indies.

Witter lauded the fishers for their enterprise, skill, bravery and resilience stating that they have risked their lives to provide food for the nation and their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the capture fisheries and aquaculture industries. Together, these industries have   supported the livelihoods of over 200,000 persons, directly and indirectly, while contributing approximately 6% to agricultural gross domestic product. Additionally, exports from the fisheries sector in 2020 were valued at US$14 million,” Witter stated.

For his part, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dermon Spence, bemoaned the increase in the frequency of attacks and loss of lives experienced by fisherfolk while expressing his dissatisfaction with their uptake of the insurance plans.

“I am imploring you, let’s work together to make this happen for the good of the sector, stated Spence 

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