Jamaica… land of wood and water. Steep mountainsides covered with lush tropical forests, where the cool breezes mark a pleasant difference with the humid lowland weather. The waterfalls that are found in these mountains wind their way down to the rivers and streams, which in turn arrive to the ocean above ground directly or underground through springs. There is much to this journey that can take one’s breath away, both in the scenery and the life that inhabits this land. However, beauty does not exist in a vacuum, and the pristine waters all too often fall victim to improper land management.

Trouble in paradise

In the countryside and the cities, the improper disposal of sewage, trash and other forms of waste is a tremendous disaster for the island’s water resources. The International Coastal Cleanup is one step in the right direction. It is an effort to trace the pollution to the source, and to find ways to end improper disposal. The Montego Bay Marine Park played a vital role in furthering this goal for the greater Montego Bay area…

What is the International Coastal Cleanup?

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is an annual campaign sponsored by The Ocean Conservancy. Since it started in 1986, 118 countries and 55 U.S. states have participated in the cleanups. According to the ICC web site, the goal of the cleanup goes beyond picking up trash one day a year. "One of the ICC's goals is to trace pollution to its source and work to prevent it from occurring" (International Coastal Cleanup). Using tally sheets, teams collect and take record of the types of trash that enter the sea. This information can help guide local organizers in the effort to stop garbage before it becomes a problem.