Andrew Smith, Photography Editor
Rachel D'Silva, a final year environmental management studen at UWI shows students from Wolmer's Prep school a sea squirt during a tour of the Port Royal/Palisadoes mangroves. The children were making the tour to
celebrate World Wetlands Day.
SCORES OF STUDENTS from Corporate Area schools learned first-hand about the importance of wetland eco-systems last Thursday. Participating in World Wetland day activities at the Port Royal mangroves, representatives from eight schools boarded boats and explored the mangroves and cays that make up the Palisadoes - Port Royal Ramsar site. This was courtesy of the National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) and the University of the West Indies (UWI) marine lab.
HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES
Apart from the hands-on experiences of handling sea squirts, mangrove crabs and identifying birds such as brown pelicans and magnificent frigate birds, the students were told why these wetlands so important, and the threats which exist to their survival.
Marlon Hibbert, scientific officer at the marine lab explained to the students that 23 gullies flow into the Kingston Harbour, and two sewage plants (at Harbour View and Port Bustamante) empty into the harbour. The presence of this garbage was shown on Refuge Cay, the largest nesting area for the West Indian Brown pelican in Jamaica. The disposal of garbage results in the death of marine birds that swallow plastics and discarded fishing lines. Sea turtles also get entangled in the fishing line.
Mr. Hibbert emphasised to the students that the only way to reduce pollution is to change the actions of the people dumping the garbage. Participating schools were Holy Childhood Prep, Wolmer's Prep, Port Royal All-Age School, Vauxhall Comprehensive High School, Camperdown High School, Campion College, Immaculate Conception High School and Wolmer's Girls.
