MARINE LIFE THRIVES IN BOSCOBEL SANCTUARY
Biodiversity improvements recorded in Jamaica’s waters thanks to Sandals Foundation’s efforts
MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA (February 2011)–Since launching the Boscobel Sanctuary in 2009, several recent dives this month have shown signs of new coral growth and an increase in fish population.
The Boscobel Sanctuary is a protected area off the north coast of Jamaica and a part of the Sandals Foundation’s Marine Plan, which includes a commitment to the management of marine sanctuaries, marker buoys in designated areas, reef and fish population monitoring; and working alongside the Jamaican Government, fisher folk and community members to ensure Jamaicans are aware of the benefits of marine protected areas.
“Some of the benefits of marine sanctuaries include fish moving from these areas into unprotected areas, improving fish population there; coral growth, which has a very positive impact on marine biodiversity and a greater interest in Dive Tourism,” noted Heidi Clarke, Sandals Foundation’s Director of Programmes.
Marine life in Jamaica’s waters have suffered from over fishing, pollution, an increase in sediment deposits from deforestation and the growth of more algae than coral. The Foundation therefore carries out beach and reef clean ups and environmental education in schools and fishing communities.
“So far, in addition to coral growth, the population count of black sea urchins has improved and these creatures keep coral clean by eating the algae,” Clarke said in noting improvements in Boscobel Sanctuary waters. “In order to maintain progress, we have to educate people as we implement protective measures to ensure the sustainability of each environmental project we undertake.”
Jamaica’s agriculture minister at the time of the launch in 2009, Dr. Christopher Tufton, expressed his support of marine sanctuaries, citing success in other countries such as Belize, where the size of fish and increased yield in catches had given the fishing industry there a boost.
Dr. Owen Day, Director of the Bucco Reef Trust, a non-profit organization registered in the USA and Trinidad, had also endorsed the Sandals Foundation Marine Protected Areas.
Day described the launch as “good news for everyone, as marine protected areas are increasingly recognized by scientists as an important approach for conserving Caribbean marine ecosystems and for generating income and sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities.”
####
NOTES TO EDITOR:
About the Sandals Foundation
The Sandals Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was created to continue and to expand upon the philanthropic work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken. It is the culmination of three decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where we operate across the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment. One hundred percent of the moniescontributed by the general publicto the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community.To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online at