and the reefs are important dive sites for water sports operators in the tourism industry.

Recent years have seen extensive degradation of Jamaica's coral reefs, leading to
decreases in fish catches and increases in visitor dissatisfaction. Recent hurricanes
(particularly Allen in 1980 and Gilbert in 1988) have caused major structural damage to
Jamaica's coral reefs. This is an unavoidable occurrence, from which the reefs are
normally able to recover; however other factors are hampering reef restoration. Pollution
of the marine environment by sewage has promoted the growth of algae which are stifling
the coral organisms (eutrophication). The sea urchins, major reef grazers who can usually
be expected to keep algae growth in check, were almost wiped out by a viral disease in
the 1980s, which promoted reef death. The reduction of fish grazers (e.g. parrot fish) due
to overfishing has also made a significant contribution to eutrophication. The widespread
use of fishing methods such as dynamite and certain toxic substances are destructive and
avoidable.

The importance of sea grass beds in the growth cycles of fish, lobsters and other
commercially important species is recognized by scientists but has not been fully
explored. Indeed there is very little information available on the extent and location of
sea grass beds on Jamaica's coastal shelves and (inshore and offshore) banks.

Jamaica's marine environment is notoriously overfished; indeed the CARICOM Fisheries

Resource Assessment and Management

Jamaica has extensive coral reefs which are important as habitat for a complex mixture of
fish, invertebrates and algae. Jamaica's coral reefs are commercially important for two
main reasons: most of Jamaica's artisanal fishers use traps aimed at capturing reef fish;
and the reefs are important dive sites for seen extensive degradation of Jamaica's coral
reefs, leading to decreases in fish catches and increases in visitor dissatisfaction. Recent
hurricanes (particularly Allen in 1980 and Gilbert in 1988) have caused major structural
damage to Jamaica's coral reefs. This is an unavoidable occurrence, from which the reefs
are normally able to recover; however other factors are hampering reef restoration.
Pollution of the marine environment by sewage has promoted the growth of algae which
are stifling the coral organisms (eutrophication). The sea urchins, major reef grazers who
can usually be expected to keep algae growth in check, were almost wiped out by a viral
disease in the 1980s, which promoted reef death. The reduction of fish grazers (e.g. parrot
fish) due to overfishing has also made a significant contribution to eutrophication. The
widespread use of fishing methods such as dynamite and certain toxic substances are
destructive and avoidable.

Numerous sandy beaches around Jamaica's coastline and on several inshore cays are invaluable
to the tourism industry for the enjoyment of local and foreign visitors. This resource is under
threat from pollution, erosion and illegal sand mining. The erosion of Jamaica's shoreline may be

attributed to several factors. The degradation of coral reefs and mangrove forests have exposed
the sandy beaches to increased wave action, and the illegal but common practice of mining sand
from beaches has exacerbated the problem. Both recreational and fishing beaches have been

ic activities within the country occur there, making coastal zone management very
important for the country.

The wetland areas are important to the coastal ecosystem in that they provide habitat for a
wide variety of organisms (e.g. birdsof the economic activities within the country occur
there, making

in that they provide habitat for a wide variety of organisms (e.g. birds

The importance of sea grass beds in the growth cycles of fish, lobsters and other
commercially important species is recognized by scientists but has not been fully
explored. Indeed there is very little information available on the extent and location of
sea grass beds on Jamaica's coastal shelves and (inshore and offshore) banks.

of fish (e.g. gill nets) and the mesh in most nets is quite small. The laws of Jamaica which
address fisheries management are deficient. The Wildlife Protection Act (1945) states that
juvenile fish are to be protected, and that the definition of juvenile fish will be provided
in accompanying regulations; those regulations were never issued. The Fishing Industry
Act (1975) does not set minimum mesh sizes for fishtraps, and there are several large
loopholes in its provisions. quantity of timber harvested, and clear-cutting is making
natural regeneration difficult. In addition, wetland areas are still targets for construction
projects. Numerous sandy beaches around Jamaica's coastline and on several inshore cays
are invaluable to the tourism industry for the enjoyment of local and foreign visitors. This
resource is under threat from pollution, erosion and illegal sand mining. The erosion of
Jamaica's shoreline may be attributed to several factors. The degradation of coral reefs
and mangrove forests have exposed the sandy beaches to increased wave action, and the
illegal but common practice of mining sand from beaches has exacerbated the problem.
Both recreational and fishing beaches have been fouled by the pileup of refuse, debris
and fish offal, as well as by occasional offshore and nearshore oil spills. The quality of
the water around several recreational beaches is deteriorating due to pollution,
particularly from human waste, which makes sea bathing unpleasant.

Wild stocks of a few species of invertebrates have been traditionally exploited by

artisanal fishers. Lobster, shrimp and crabs (crustaceans), conch and oysters (mollusc)
were generally lightly harvested, but in recent years, increases in demand have led to
large increases in fishing pressure. A lucrative export market for lobster and conch has