Fisherfolk from 57 beaches in 11 parishes received certificates in safety on November 19.

The training forms part of the Jamaica Fishermen Cooperative Enhancement of the Cold Chain Supply and Safety project, which benefited 2,000 fisherfolks and 400 vendors.

This project falls under the Rural Economic Development Initiative being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), with funds from the Goverment of Jamaica and the World Bank. A total of $18.2 million was expended under the project.

Speaking at the graduation, Scarlette Gillings, managing director, JSIF, outlined that, in 2013, the project provided critical equipment through the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries to provide igloos to vendors. Selected fishermen were provided with life jackets, marine flares and training in basic seamanship and navigation skills.

"For JSIF, this initiative falls under capacity-building in the area of business development and poverty reduction, through business opportunities and wealth creation, areas which have formed a new direction for the fund in the last four years," Gillings said.

The training was done in conjunction with Office of Disaster Prepardeness and Emergency Management, the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard and Caribbean Maritime Institute.

JSIF, for the last 18 years, has been known for helping to build schools, roads and water systems in communities as part of its mandate is to mobilise funds for this purpose. The REDI project was created to help small agricultural and tourism community groups. This assistance was in keeping with JSIF's mandate, to assist underserved communities to build social capital and alleviate poverty.