Successful 2008 Marine Conference

The intention of the 2008 Bluefields Bay Marine Conference was to bring fishers, tourism interests, and other stakeholders in the marine environment, as well as regulatory agencies, together to discuss the problems and challenges that are affecting their industry.

There have been many attempts by NGOs and government agencies to assist in the sustainability of the Jamaican fishing industry. However, a lack of organization amongst a significant number of fishing beaches has made it difficult for information to be disseminated to individual fishermen.

The mission of the Marine Conference is to bring members of all fishing beaches together to discuss topics including organization strategies; alternative income activities; capital generation; best practices and marine laws; and environmental issues including sustainability and global warming.

In addition to fishermen, we invited marine biologists, tourism representatives, government agencies (including members of the Fisheries Division and NEPA), development agencies (including Food for the Poor and Peace Corps), and research institutions such as the University of the West Indies Center for Marine Sciences. The outcomes of the discussions held at the Marine Conference were captured in the marine show outcomes report. Recipients of this report can find slide shows on the link entitled marine show documents above.

We would like to thank those who attended and participated in the 2008 Marine Conference. We would like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors who made this event possible: Sandals Resorts International, Spruce Up Jamaica-Nice Up Yuself, Linkz FM, Vybz FM, Reliable Adventures Jamaica, and Big M Hardware. Finally we would like to thank our presenters, listed below, and the secretariat, without whom this event would not have been possible.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2009 Bluefields Bay Marine Conference and Festival on December 11^th and 13^th, respectively.

Sincerely,

Wolde Kristos

Chairman, Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society

Announcing the 2008 Bluefields Bay Marine Conference and Festival

The Bluefields Bay Fishermen’s Friendly Society announces the second annual Bluefields Bay Marine Conference and Festival. This event is the first of its kind to feature a grassroots effort to bring together marine interests around the country to discuss and address environmental and health issues that impact both the fishing and tourism industry in Jamaica.  The conference will be followed by a festival day to celebrate the fishing industry, promote environmental education, and enjoy Jamaican cultural food and entertainment.

The Marine Conference, will be held at Sandals Whitehouse European Village and Spa on December 13, 2008. The conference will feature the efforts of a local fishermen’s organisation to engage policymakers, government officials, marine researchers, tourism interests and fishermen throughout Jamaica to address necessary actions to preserve the marine environment for locals and visitors alike. The Marine Festival, which will be held at the Belmont Fishing Beach, Westmoreland on December 14, 2008, will feature the national boat and canoe championship races, cultural music and dancing, food, drinks, and excitement for the whole family. Admission to the conference is by invitation only and admission is free to the festival. Festival dinner tickets (including soda) are available in advance for $350 and will be sold for $400 on the day of the event.

We would like to thank our sponsors: Sandals Resorts International, The Tourism Product and Development Company Spruce Up Jamaica Nice Up Yuself programme, Reliable Adventures Jamaica, Westmoreland Parish Council, Vibez FM, Links FM, and Negril Escape, Big M Hardware, Gray Pepper Products, Bluefields Trust, Hotel Commingle, Easy Spice,  Food for the Poor, Bill Buckly and Rebecca Gould, Dr. William Wedenoja and Missouri State University, Heidi Savery, Ron Dalton, Noel Clinard.