Portland Bight Protected Area

Portland Bight Protected Area
Map showing the location of Portland Bight Protected Area
Map showing the location of Portland Bight Protected Area
Map of Jamaica
LocationJamaica
Coordinates17°41′38″N 77°06′43″W / 17.694°N 77.112°W / 17.694; -77.112[1]
Area724 sq mi (1,880 km2)
Established1999

The Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA) is a large marine and terrestrial area on the island of Jamaica located southwest of Kingston. Nearby cays such as Little Goat Island are included. It is the largest protected area in Jamaica and comprises 1,880 square kilometres (730 sq mi). Part of the task in forming the PBPA going forward is to find a balance between protecting the ecosystem from destruction by economic development and allowing the human inhabitants a means to live and work.[2] The Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) is charged with managing zones within the protected area.[3][4]

Description

The PBPA includes 83 square kilometres (32 sq mi) of wetlands, mangrove coastlines and seagrass beds that serve as a nursery for fish and shellfish breeding. On land there are 210 square kilometres (81 sq mi) of dry limestone forests, 60 known caves,[5] and it includes a human population of 50,000.

Although the first priority in forming the protected area was to protect the coral reefs,[6] it also serves to protect vulnerable and endemic species. The site has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of Jamaican birds.[7]

History

The PBPA was established in 1999. In 2013 the PNP Government of Jamaica proposed to develop the Goat Islands, in the PBPA, as a transhipment hub in conjunction with the Chinese government. Environmentalists argued that it would have a severe impact on the entire protected area.[8][9] In 2016 the Prime Minister, Andrew Holness of the JLP, stated that the Goat Islands were no longer being considered as a base for a transhipment hub.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Portland Bight Protected Area". protectedplanet.net.
  2. ^ Serju, Christopher (May 19, 2012). "Stakeholders aim to preserve the Portland Bight Protected Area". The Gleaner. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  3. ^ "CSI Activities (Portland Bight, Jamaica)". Unesco.org. Retrieved 2012-10-20.
  4. ^ "Secology Island Projects". Seacology. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  5. ^ Stewart, RS. "The Caves of Portland Bight, Jamaica (C-CAM Report)" (PDF). PDF. Jamaican Caves Organisation. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
  6. ^ Linton; et al. "Preliminary Report of Coral Reef Monitoring of the Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA)" (PDF). PDF. Centre for Marine Sciences University of the West Indies. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  7. ^ "Portland Ridge and Bight". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  8. ^ JET; et al. (August 29, 2013). "Press Release - Portland Bight Protected Area". Jamaican Caves Organisation. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  9. ^ Jamaica Observer (September 1, 2013). "Officials insist Goat Islands must be protected". Jamaica Observer - JCO Mirror. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  10. ^ Jamaica Gleaner. "Transshipment project under consideration, but not for Goat Islands – PM". Jamaica Gleaner - September 23, 2016.


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