The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has initiated a series of stakeholders’ consultations to protect and preserve Kingston Harbour. This is the latest in a series of efforts to tackle the pollution problems in the harbour, which is the seventh largest natural harbour in the world.   

Already the Agency has met with management representatives of thirty-five of forty industrial and commercial enterprises which operate within the vicinity of the harbour. These meetings marked the first step in the implementation of the latest Kingston Harbour Initiative.   

The Agency is now conducting in-depth site assessments to identify the environmental impacts of these enterprises on the harbour and to make recommendations for implementation of pollution prevention devices and procedures.  Twenty-two (22) site assessments have been completed and enforcement action taken against three entities found to be operating in breach of environmental standards with deleterious impact on the harbour. Some of the major issues identified during the assessments included inadequate secondary containment for hazardous materials and inadequate procedures in place for spill management and emergency response, while most of the entities were not in possession of Fire Certificates from the Jamaica Fire Brigade.  Based on the assessments, the Agency will further mandate the entities to implement relevant corrective and pollution prevention measures to significantly reduce their impact on the harbour.  Enterprises found polluting the environment may be required to apply for Environmental Permits and Licences.   

This is the latest in a series of efforts to tackle the pollution problems in the harbour.  The Agency through its Ecosystems Management and Protected Areas Branches are conducting parallel activities to protect the fragile ecosystem in the area, including the Palisadoes strip.  To this end, the Agency has been replanting mangroves along the Palisadoes strip, on the harbour side and has plans to install mooring buoys. In the long-term, the Kingtson Harbour Initiative will also include strategies such as awareness building, urban planning and ecosystems management.