The men observed on a video killing a turtle in 9 Miles Bull Bay, in St Andrew on June 6, 2018, have been arrested and charged for breaches under the Wildlife Protection Act. The arrest was made during a recent joint police operation, conducted by officials from the Counter Terrorism & Organized Crime Investigation's (C-TOC), the Mobile Reserve and the Motorized Patrol Division in the parish. The men have been granted bail with surety in the sum of $100,000 and are scheduled to appear in the Half Way Tree Parish Court on August 22, 2018.

At a meeting convened yesterday (Thursday, March 8, 2018) at The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to develop a plan of action and intervention strategies to respond to the challenges of illicit burning in the Riverton and surrounding communities, the Honourable Daryl Vaz, Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for Land, The Environment, Climate Change and Investment, called for a zero tolerance approach to address the open burning activities taking place in the communities. “The time for action is now… the time for talk has passed,” the Minister said emphatically.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is advising that the damage to the main sewerage network traversing Seaview Gardens has been fully repaired.

The National Council on Ocean and Coastal Zone Management (NCOCZM) during its 133rd meeting on 18th September 2018 expressed its full support for the Government’s recent announcement of the imminent ban on single use plastic bags, straws and styrofoam.

The multi-agency Council, chaired by Senator the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, is tasked with, among other things, formulating marine sector policies and sensitizing the public to the importance of the marine sector to the sustainable development of Jamaica.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has received a report of damage to the main sewerage network traversing Seaview Gardens. This has resulted in the release of untreated sewage into the environment. The NEPA technical team is investigating the report.

In the interim, the public is being reminded to take precautions and stay away from the area, as raw/untreated sewage may pose a threat should persons become exposed to it.

The operators of the sewerage system have been instructed to have the damaged sewer line repaired within twenty-four hours.