Ministry Modernising Tilapia Fry Production with New Recirculating Aquaculture System

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is moving decisively this year to modernise Tilapia fry production with the completion of a Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) capable of producing five million fry annually.

Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, made the disclosure during his contribution to the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 13).

“We had some construction setbacks, especially with Hurricane Melissa… but we have gotten a budgetary allocation of about $200 million to complete this project. This will bring our national capacity to 13 million fry per annum. This will drive our freshwater fish sector,” he said.

The Minister further stated that last year, Jamaica’s first commercial freshwater prawn facility was established at Twickenham Park in St. Catherine, where more than 386,000 post-larvae were produced.

He noted that of these, more than 147,000 have been issued to 12 commercial and 32 backyard fish farmers.

Mr. Green also indicated that, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), cage culture production technology has been introduced at the research facility in Bowden, St. Thomas – the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean.

“We are growing snappers in cages in the sea out in Bowden. This is what happens all over the world to drive your production of seafood. The pilot has worked, and now we’re looking for commercial partners to drive that process,” he stated.

“We know that our sanctuaries have worked and now safeguard 11,000 hectares of critical marine habitat. I’m pleased to announce that we will declare two new sanctuaries this year in Alligator Pond and Salt Marsh, which will cover 12,250 hectares of marine ecosystem,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Green emphasised that fisheries remain vital to Jamaica’s food security and agricultural development.

He highlighted that Jamaica’s fisherfolk are among the most resilient, operating on the front lines of climate vulnerability while continuing to supply the nation with seafood.

Minister Green commended the fishers, noting that many had heeded warnings and secured their boats ahead of Hurricane Melissa.

“We never saw a lot of loss of life. Nevertheless, they suffered tremendous damage… over $5 billion in damage. Despite this, our [fishers] have shown tremendous resilience. We have to move now from recovery to rebuilding,” he stated.