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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE July 12, 2005
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| August 15, 2003 |
Montego Bay, Jamaica – Study Tour of Montego Bay Marine Park |
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| The importance of marine life conservation in Montego Bay |
Protected by an NGO jointly funded by the government and private investors, the Montego Bay Marine Park is home to thousands of different species of marine life. Peace Boat participants visited the park center to listen to marine biologist, Andrew Ross, talk about both the importance of conservation and the development of eco-tourism to help sustain the rich environment of the bay.
The park area consists of three different habitats: Mangroves, Sea grass beds and Coral Reef. "If we lose one part of this, the whole system breaks down," warns Andrew, "If there are no habitats, there are no fish." An MPA - Marine Protected Area - is a space "where interactions between the different marine life may occur unmolested." |
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| Coral reef, sea grass beds and mangroves under threat by pollution and over-fishing |
Since the establishment of the Park in 1992, previously damaged reef systems have begun to repair and fish stocks have increased. Despite these positive signs of conservation working, there are still many challenges to be faced, including sediment washed downriver and smothering the coral; chemical pollution and over-fishing; algae fertilized by sewage smothering the plant life and natural damage from storms.
By emphasizing the value of living fish over dead ones, Andrew and his staff at the Marine Park hope to work with the government in implementing an eco-tourism programme that can offer local people employment opportunities that help sustain the environment and not destroy it. Once the presentation finished, Peace Boat participants cruised Montego Bay on a catamaran, fully appreciating the beauty that the marine park was working to preserve. |
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