Jamaicans lobby the government to protect marine mammals in our waters

 

In observance of World Oceans Day on June 8^th, over 80 scientists, teachers and environmentalists across Jamaica signed a petition asking the government to protect all marine mammals in Jamaican waters and to prohibit captive marine mammal facilities in Jamaica.  The petition, which is being circulated by the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), will be presented to the Minister of Local Government and Environment, Dean Peart.   

A second petition is currently being circulated throughout Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean and is being signed by scientists who recognise the importance of marine mammals to marine ecosystems. It urges Caribbean governments to work together to protect these species region-wide.  This petition will be presented at meeting in St. Kitts on June 15^th, which will be attended by environmental non-governmental organizations throughout the Caribbean working to protect marine mammals in the region. 

“At the moment only seven species of marine mammals are protected by law in Jamaica; one of which is not even found in our waters!  That is, only 21% of the 28 species of marine mammals in our waters are protected.  Many of the remaining unprotected species are listed on the World Conservation Union’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and therefore deserve protection”, said Christine O’Sullivan JET’s Marine Mammal Specialist. 

According to Miss O’Sullivan, “Sightings of whales and dolphins in Jamaican waters often go unreported and most reports are based on anecdotal evidence and stranding data.  Within the last three years we have had three incidents of whale strandings. The most recent stranding occurred in St. Thomas in March.  Its cause of death is still unknown.” 

The group feels that the signing of the petition is very timely because of the detrimental effect recent activities may have on marine mammal populations. These activities include seismic surveys and the possible increase in the number of captive dolphin facilities in Jamaica.   

In addition to the petition, JET has published a field guide to all 28 species of marine mammals in Jamaica and recently conducted a poster and story competition on marine mammals for children ages eight to sixteen years. The winning posters from the competition will also be displayed at the meeting in St. Kitts