Policy Papers Developed by NRCA

Policies

Description

The beaches in Jamaica are considered to be one of the main factors contributing to the growth and success of the country's tourism industry. Earlier policies for the management of the foreshore resulted in the separation of visitors and residents through a system of exclusive licences and consequently, barred Jamaicans from enjoying some of the finest beaches in the country. Public access to the foreshore and the sea continues to be a recurring and sensitive issue in Jamaica. This policy document addresses these issues and sets out a new policy for public access to beaches. The policy is considered to be central to a comprehensive coastal resource strategy and its purpose is to:

• Remove any vestige of real or implied discrimination against Jamaicans in the use and enjoyment of their national heritage;
• Expand beach-related recreational opportunities for both local residents and all segments of the tourism market;
• Protect the traditional rights of fishermen to access to the foreshore and the sea, and beaching rights on their return from sea;
• Establish guidelines on the leasing and monitoring of the near shore seabed for mariculture use.
  

The aim of this policy is to support and encourage the managed use of Jamaica's marine resources to raise output of marine food products for domestic consumption and for export, and to generate.
Local employment in communities that have traditionally relied upon the sea. The policy therefore speaks to:

• Establishing designated areas for mariculture;
• Exercising greater control over mariculture operations;
• Developing the economic potential of mariculture;
• Protecting the environment from the harmful effects of
  mariculture by issuing permits based on appropriate environmental assessments, requiring an environmental assessment by the Permit and Licence System;
• Increasing public awareness of the benefits of mariculture as an alternative or supplement to the capture fishery, and as a useful tool for resource management.
  

Jamaica has an extraordinary system of flora and fauna, land and water habitats, and wild and human landscapes and as a result, Jamaica needs a system of protected areas as a key part of its national development strategy. The Paper sets out the following:

• Goals for Jamaica's System of Protected Areas including goals
  such as economic development, environmental conservation,
  sustainable resource use, recreational and public information,
  public participation and local responsibility and financial
  sustainability;
• Types of Protected Areas;
• Roles and Responsibilities of the various agencies and groups,
  including the NRCA, other national government agencies, local
  management entities, local government national non
  governmental organizations, private sector organizations and
  individuals with interests in the protected area system;
• Planning Protected Areas;
• Establishing Protected Areas;
• Financial Management of Protected Areas-with special
  emphasis on the ability to support the management,
  enhancement and operational requirements of the system
  without continuing reliance on regular infusions of grant funds;
• Legal Framework;
• Management and Operations Policies specific to the protected
  area and taking into consideration local environmental, social
  and economic conditions;
• A Two Year Implementation Programme and;
• Other Protected Area Candidates which includes a listing of 150
  areas as possible additions to the National System of Protected
  Areas.
  

This Paper documents the major environmental problems facing Jamaica and formulates the appropriate policy framework, institutional arrangements, legal instruments, strategies, programmes and projects to address and mitigate these problems. Thus, the environmental policy of Jamaica is embodied in a statement of objectives outlined in JANEAP and include the following:

• Creating attitudes and behaviour which are responsible and
  oriented to action in environmental protection and the
  sustainable use of natural resources;
• Encouraging the use of non-renewable resources including
  bauxite, limestone and other minerals for the greatest social and
  economic benefit of the Jamaican people while minimizing ,
  harmful environmental impacts;
• Ensuring that renewable resources including forests and wildlife
  are used in a sustainable way;
• Ensuring good air quality in Jamaica;
• Ensuring that surface and underground water are in sufficient
  quantities and quality appropriate for present and future human
  needs and ecosystem integrity;
• Allowing for global environmental co-operation and security
  with special attention to the needs of developing countries and
  the circumstances of vulnerable island states;
• Enhancing the natural beauty of the island in natural areas, built
  up areas, roadways, and open spaces on both public and private
  land;
• Protecting and preserving the marine environment and territorial
  waters within the exclusive economic zone;
• Promoting research and development of appropriate technology
  which is environmentally friendly;
• Promoting socio-economic and technical research as it relates to
  the development and use of the natural resources of the
  environment;
• Promoting the reduction of inefficiency and waste as a method
  of yielding additional financial resources for environmental
  management;
• Developing renewable energy sources while seeking to reduce
  the use of fossil fuels.