Earth Today | Jamaica, UK collaborate to tackle marine pollution
Roll out new initiative with UNEP to help ocean economy
Published:Thursday | May 15, 2025 | 12:07 AM
IDENTIFYING KEY sources of marine pollution together with prevailing gaps in current mitigation efforts are among the areas of focus for a new initiative to protect Jamaica’s coastal communities while enhancing the island’s blue economy and safeguarding livelihoods.
The initiative sees the Government of the United Kingdom in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), under the UK’s Sustainable Blue Economies Programme, the Enhancing Water Quality for Sustainable Blue Economy Development.
Worth an estimated US$2.5 trillion annually, the ocean economy, according to information from the UNEP, is equivalent to the world’s seventh largest economy. However, it is under threat, given the reality of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature loss and pollution.
The initiative engages UK scientific expertise and regional knowledge to address marine pollution, which is a danger to Jamaica’s economy, food security and environmental health.
In addition to identifying marine pollution sources and mitigation gaps, it aims to do so through aligning blue economy with environmental policy priorities while supporting evidence-based strategies for sustainable coastal and marine resource management.
These are together with building national capacity for long-term marine water quality monitoring and response.
“The reality is that good water quality is critical in ensuring a healthy ocean and a buoyant blue economy, the foundation of over 30 per cent of Jamaica’s GDP,” noted Anthony McKenzie, director of environmental management and conservation division at NEPA, in a May 6 news release from the British High Commission.
“We must act strategically to protect the value of our marine and riverine ecosystems,” he added.
Chris Corbin, the UNEP Cartagena Convention Coordinator, agreed.
“As Jamaica expands its ocean-based economic opportunities, including tourism and fisheries,the need for enhanced water quality and capacity-building becomes critical. This initiative reinforces Jamaica’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems for future generations,” he said.
STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
Already work has started under the initiative with representatives from Jamaica’s ministries, departments and agencies, together with civil society, and blue economy sector players engaging in a marine pollution situation analysis and strategy development, done between April 28 and May 2.
“Protecting Jamaica’s marine environment is not only vital for the health of the planet but for the prosperity of the people who depend on it. This partnership reflects the UK’s strong commitment to supporting sustainable, inclusive growth across the Caribbean,” noted Judith Slater, the British High Commissioner to Jamaica in the release.
“We are proud to work alongside NEPA and UNEP to strengthen Jamaica’s blue economy and ensure that future generations can thrive on the natural wealth of these coastal and marine ecosystems,” she added.
The Sustainable Blue Economies Technical Assistance Platform – one part of the Sustainable Blue Economies Programme – allows Jamaica and other small island developing states, home to some 65 million people, to apply to partner with UK marine science and technical specialists to collaborate on research and to develop new tools and knowledge products that are necessary to reach their blue economy goals.
Dr Will Le Quesne, director of the International Centre for Ocean Protection and Use at the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, the UK Government’s marine and freshwater science experts, and one of the project partners, has welcomed the collaboration with Jamaica.
“Marine and coastal activities sustain communities and economies. We’re proud to partner with Jamaica in strengthening marine protection and blue economy resilience,” he said.