A FIVE-YEAR agreement for the management of the Portland Bight Protected Area was signed by the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) and the Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (CCAM).
The agreement gives CCAM the authority, under the Natural Resources Conservation Act, the Watersheds Protection Act, the Wildlife Protection Act, the Beach Control Act and the Endangered Species Act, for the effective management of the physical environment of the specified area to ensure conservation, protection and sustainable use of its natural resources.
NRCA's newly-appointed chairman, James Rawle and Professor Aggrey Brown, chairman of CCAM took part in the signing of the 'delegation instrument' for the management of the area at the National Environment and Planning Agency, St. Andrew.
TERRESTRIAL
The Portland Bight covers 724 square miles of land and sea from the Hellshire hills in St. Catherine to Rocky Point, Clarendon. It is a terrestrial and marine protected area comprising dry limestone forests, wetlands, game reserves and marine space including cays. The area contains mangroves which are at risk of total wipe-out with infrastructural developments and its use in areas like charcoal making and construction material.
The area was declared protected in 1999 and the CCAM was given responsibility for initiating conservation programmes. However CCAM complained last year that the process had been delayed, as the delegation instrument, which was essential to sanction the commitment and access international funds, had not been signed.
DEVELOP
Now that it has been, within the first two years of the agreement, CCAM is required to develop management and operation plans for the protected area to be approved by the NRCA.
The plans will include programmes and projects relating to protection and conservation, enforcement, traditional and concurrent uses, recreation and tourism, education and financing.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Rawle expressed confidence in CCAM's ability to manage the Portland Bight Protected Area. He charged the organisation to exploit the opportunities afforded by the agreement to effectively manage the protected area.
The CCAM's objective, Professor Brown said, is to assist the NRCA in ensuring that the area being delegated serves the people of Jamaica indefinitely.
