Montego
Bay
Marine
Park
Monthly Newsletters
Montego Bay Marine Park Jamaica
     
• Back to Monthly Newsletters

November 2004

Volume I
Issue 11
   
ODPEM Expo, 1st and 2nd
Marine Park display
The Marine Park Trust showcased itself at the Regional Conference on Disaster Preparedness held at the Wyndham Rose Hall. This conference aimed to share information on effective preparation for natural disasters in the Caribbean region. One of our first defenses against hurricanes is our coral reef. Thus by preserving the reef, we reduce the damage possible by big waves. Another way we can prepare is by keeping our drains and gullies free from debris, as they can become blocked during heavy rain, leading to flooding.
Trust Gets New Board
The Trust held a long overdue AGM on the 2nd, during which the Chairman, Kirk Taylor, was re-elected and members of the board were selected. Our board members are Sophia Kerr-Reid, Sharon Nicholson, Neil Burrowes, Garfield Davidson, Flavia Goodlitt, Omar Robinson, Lucilda Johnson, Demerce Guscott, Winston Dear, and former Executive Director, Jill Williams. Our Vice Chairman and one of the "founding fathers"of the Marine Park, Theo Smit, stepped down, but said he will be available to give advice and assistance. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication Theo! Theo Smit
Doctor's Cave Receives Blue Flag

Doctor's Cave Bathing Club was one of 5 Jamaican beaches earning the international Blue Flag certification this month for the first time in history. The Blue Flag symbolizes that good water quality, adequate facilities, environmental awareness programmes and environmental management systems are in place. The Flag was accepted by the Marine Park Trust

Blue Flag is hoisted into the air
on behalf of Doctor's Cave at a ceremony on the 3rd in Kingston and was raised on the 30th in Montego Bay. Andrew accepts Blue Flag from Jan Eriksen
Educational Presentations
Presentations about the Marine Park, its habitats and responsible behaviour towards the environment, continued at the primary and junior high school level this month. Also, a special presentation on "Sea Turtles in Jamaica" was given to staff at Half Moon Hotel on the 22nd, as the beach is a nesting site for hawksbill turtle.
Half Moon Hotel
Mt. Salem Primary and Junior High
Warden Training Completed

November 25th marked the completion of the training programme for the six fisheries wardens who will be operating in the Park area. Mr. Austin Lobban from the Maritime Authority helped the wardens prepare for the coxswain license exam which was taken on the 25th. Wardens also learned about community policing, and arrest and prosecution procedures from the Police Dept., interpreting The Fishing Industry Act and the duties of a Fisheries Inspector from Fisheries Division, and became certified in CPR and First Aid from the Royal Life Saving Society.
Conservation Training Week, 15th-19th
Sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, this first ever Conservation Training Week was held in Kingston and brought representatives together from environmental organizations across Jamaica. Marine Park Trust staff learned about topics relating to Fundraising / Income Generation, Administration and Natural Resource Management.
Happy Hour Corner

The Montego Bay Marine Park Happy Hour happens on the first Thursday of every month. It is an educational forum open to the public, which takes place at Pier One. Although the presentations begin at 7pm, drink specials are offered from 6 to 8 pm.

At this month's Happy Hour on the 4th, Heather Crawford presented on the International Coastal Cleanup Day, with emphasis placed on the analyzed results from 2003 and more recent figures from this year's Cleanup. A DVD of her presentation can be made available by contacting the Marine Park Trust.

Coming up in December

• SWAT Gets Back Into Gear
• Environmental Day at Round Hill

And More!
 
 
Thanks for joining us, and have a nice Bay!
     
 ˆ top ˆ
www.mbmp.org
ˆ top ˆ