A lack of government funding for the Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary is threatening 10 years of gains in replenishing stock and could deal a massive blow to the local fishing industry.
A cess that was placed on the export of conch was pooled into a fund to assist local fish sanctuaries such as the one in Oracabessa, St Mary.
But the nightmarish scenario of conch overfishing has resulted in the industry being closed since last year, shutting off cash flow to fish sanctuaries.
“We had submitted our budget from last year and subsequently, the Government had informed us that no money is available for funding of the sanctuary this year,” said Wilmott.
“The Oracabessa Bay Fish Sanctuary is celebrating 10 years since its establishment and has been credited with an exponential rise in fish stock by an estimated 10,000 per cent.
