Caption: Senator the Honourable Leslie Campbell, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade has announced that Jamaica will be acceding to the Port State Measures Agreement – a legally binding instrument which commits Jamaica’s efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The announcement was made during a recent Sherpa meeting of the High level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy
Speaking at the Sherpa Meeting of the High level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy held recently in Vancouver, Canada, the Minister stated that Jamaica is to also develop its own national Plan of Action to combat IUU fishing in line with established regional and international plans of action.
Minister Campbell noted that Jamaica, “welcomes the opportunities for further action that are under discussion, and looks forward to identifying specific areas in which Jamaica can contribute to advancing this topic.”
According to the State Minister, Jamaica has a particular interest in all collective opportunities for engagement on IUU fishing, including within the Ocean Panel.
He indicated that an official port will be designated with the necessary capacity development for Monitoring, Control and Surveillance activities.
He further advised the high-level panel that, in relation to sustainable coastal and marine tourism, Jamaica’s Ministry of Tourism is focused on developing a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable sector.
He continued, “This “new tourism” push is guided by the Foreign Ministry’s Blue Ocean Strategy which was developed in 2021. The Blue Ocean Strategy allows for a shift in the Ministry’s strategic focus away from standardization to one of enhanced value creation through product differentiation and diversification, which will allow Destination Jamaica to be more sustainable, appeal to new markets and stimulate new demand,” he stated.
The High Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy is an initiative of world leaders committed to putting sustainability at the heart of ocean management, to benefit people, nature and the economy. On the margins of the High level Panel, the Minister used the opportunity to meet with Jamaica’s newly appointed Honorary Consul in Vancouver and members of the Diaspora.
