The Agriculture ministry is to begin using drones to protect Jamaica’s fish stock from poachers.

The Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke, announced in parliament this afternoon that two of the craft are to be acquired and fitted with cameras.

"We cannot continue to allow poachers to come into our waters and rob our country of all those resources," he said.

According to Clarke, the drones would be capable of transmitting information on poachers and help with search and rescue.

In the meantime, Clarke has lamented the failure of the Government to pass the proposed Fisheries Bill.

He said every effort will be made to have the Bill tabled in the Parliament before the end of the year.

However, Clarke said in the interim, he will be seeking amendments to the Fisheries Act to increase the fines for certain breaches.

"It's very important for our fishing resources," Clarke said.

FOR MORE STORIES WATCH: The Gleaner Minute


Like our new Facebook page:
Gleaner Jamaica

Follow us on Twitter:
@JamaicaGleaner

onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com