Let’s talk FISH

In Jamaica – we fry it, steam it, roast it, there are so many ways to prepare fish here and across the Caribbean. If you ask most fish lovers about their favourite types of fish, silver snapper, doctor fish or grunt may be on their list. Fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of nearly half a billion people across the world and the World Bank noted that about 90 percent of Jamaica’s gross domestic product (GDP) is generated in coastal areas and that both fisheries and tourism are a major source of the country’s revenue. Yet many of the world’s fisheries are at grave risk from human pressure including overexploitation, pollution and habitat change. Climate change is warming the atmosphere and the oceans and causing changes in rainfall patterns. This affects the quality of the water that supports aquatic life and increases the frequency of extreme weather events.

Fishing Regulations in Jamaica

Licenses

When you take a charter fishing trip, all the licenses will be covered by the boat.

Spearfishing — there is no license required but you cannot spearfish in the boundaries of the Montego Bay Marine Park.

Stop fishing (hook and line) — the proper procedure is to get a permission letter before you fish from the Montego Bay Marine Park. You generally do not need a license to fish from shore

Sports fishing — this means tuna or marlin type fishing in which you use a boat there is no legislation. A personal license for the boat is needed if it is owned but you will need a fishing license for commercial purposes.

Fishing in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica is the secondlargest city in Jamaica and is located between the Cayman Trench and the Jamaica Channel, which are the main sea lanes to the Panama Canal. All of these are great places to go fishing. Here is a guide to the various fish you may catch each month.

January — in this month, the big game bite may not be the best but you can still catch some of the best bottom fish like amberjack and grouper

February — this is the peak month for the white marlin. This fish can be as long as nine feet and weigh over 150 pounds. One of the most unique features of this deep-sea fish is its dorsal fin, which typically consists of 28 to 46 rays. There is also a secondary dorsal fin that has five to six rays. You can also fish for mahi-mahi.

March — during this month you will still find white marlin, mahi-mahi, yellow fin tuna, and wahoo.

April — this is a great time to go fishing for mahi-mahi

May — during this month, the tourist high season is over so you will not have to worry about finding space to fish for yellow fin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi, snapper, grouper, and various sharks. The toughest part about fishing this month is deciding which one to eat.

June — this is the month in which you will start seeing blue marlin starting to bite. Some of these giant fish can weigh as much as 300 pounds.

July — this is still blue marlin season along with mahi-mahi

August — the blue marlin is still biting making it a great season to go fishing offshore. At this time, the blue marlin may not be as large but they still will give you a fight to haul them on board.

September — in Jamaica during September competitive anglers head to Montego Bay to take part in the Jamaica International Blue Marlin Team Tournament. Book your reservation early as this tournament always draws a large crowd.

October — although the blue marlin tournament is held in September, this is the month when the blue marlin is more productive. Also this month you will have the Port Antonio International Fishing Tournament, which is the longest-running event in fishing in Jamaica. It is also one of the most important fishing events. Anglers are fishing for the largest blue marlin.

November — at this time of the year, the big fish season is starting to wind down and the tournaments are over but you can still catch blue marlins. This is also the time for other tasty bottom fish.

December — this is the month for reef fish such as clownfish, grouper, and snapper.