The Department of Fisheries has been a long-time beneficiary of Japan’s Fisheries Cooperation.
Through Japanese assistance, fisheries facilities have been constructed, experts have been dispatched to conduct cooperation activities in the area of fisheries co-management and most recently a Grant Aid Project provided equipment and machinery renewals for improving convenience and strengthening sustainability of the fisheries facilities.
Finally, training is offered annually to personnel from the department under JICA’s Knowledge Co-Creation Training Programs in Japan.
This fiscal year, under the fisheries sector, training will be provided in a course titled “Sustainable Use of Fisheries Resources and Diversification of Fisheries-based Livelihood in Island Countries”.
The core training will take place in Okinawa, Japan, with a practical component in Fiji, from September to November.
Participants will be introduced to a wide range of approaches and measures to promote sustainable use of fisheries resources, which will encompass aspects such as improved fishing methods, fisheries management, quality control of fish, processing, marketing, alternative income generation and support for fishers’ organizations
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Ms. Rita Harrison of the Department of Fisheries will be representing Saint Lucia at the training. As a Fisheries Extension Officer, she is engaged in fisheries development, provides support to fishing communities and serves as a Liaison Officer and mentor to the Fishers Cooperatives.
Her involvement in the Caribbean Fisheries Co-management (CARIFICO) Project spans three years, a partnership between JICA and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM). Ms.
Harrison assumes the liaison staff role and is the Extension Officer for the CARIFICO Project sites in Anse la Raye, Canaries and Soufriere.