J’cans accused of illegal fishing by Colombia could be home in days

The 34 Jamaican fishermen held in Colombia on allegations of illegal fishing may be back in the island by Saturday, November 12.

Yesterday, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith said that the Colombian and Jamaican governments will conduct a joint operation to return the crew of the vessel to Jamaica, which will result in a meeting between the coast guards of both countries for the transfer of the crew, at an agreed point on the high seas.

Johnson Smith noted that on Friday, arrangements had been put in place on the Jamaican side for the transfer to take place yesterday, but the Colombian authorities requested additional time and have now proposed November 12.

“We are looking forward to the safe return of these Jamaican nationals, who, understandably, want to be back home with their families. As a ministry and with our partners the Ministry of Agriculture and the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force), we will continue to work towards this goal,” Johnson Smith said in a statement.

On October 19, the foreign affairs ministry was informed by the JDF that a Jamaican fishing vessel, registered under the name Hope-On, had been detained in Colombian waters by their authorities.

Johnson Smith noted that on October 20, the ministry enlisted the assistance of Jamaica’s Embassy in Bogota to ascertain details of the incident, to commence the requisite verification of the Jamaican nationality of the crew, and to determine their needs.

According to reports from the Colombian authorities, 6,430 kilograms of parrot fish were found in the vessel, and they established that a total of 41 persons were on board.

On November 2, the Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency completed the verification process, indicating that 34 of the crew members were Jamaicans; one was Honduran; and six were from the Dominican Republic.

VESSEL TO BE SOLD

“The owner, who operates a commercial fishing enterprise, advised that he was seeing to the needs of the crew who were not in jail, but living on the vessel. He also indicated that he had retained the services of a lawyer in Colombia and hoped to secure arrangements to have the vessel released and the crew to sail it back to Jamaica,” Johnson Smith said.

“The ministry, aware of the risks and concerned about the welfare of the individuals, enquired further of the Colombian authorities as to whether such a process could be possible. It was confirmed, however, that the vessel had been seized and would be sold as provided for in Colombian law, and that while the captain would be detained to face charges in Colombia, they would still keep the offer open to transport the other members of the crew to a point agreed with the JDF.”

During her contribution to the State of the Nation Debate in the Senate on Friday, Johnson Smith reiterated that, “owners and fishermen need to recognise that times have changed and countries have changed their laws. Illegal fishing is a major international issue. Vessels are seized and crews are liable to be imprisoned. We are grateful that in this case the whole crew has not been detained”.

She continued, “Owners, operators and fishers need to fish responsibly in Jamaican waters. Boat owners also need to insure their vessels, not only for damage but for loss and seizure and also for the care and protection of their crew.”

She said her ministry would be working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to establish a policy to handle such matters going forward.