St Ann Custos Commando initiative spurs marine protection drive

Akin to John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what can you do for your country”, Custos Joseph Issa’s call for parishioners to be proactive has given legs to the novel St Ann Custos Commando initiative.

Two significant developments have already emerged from the programme, which began as a challenge Issa issued to attorney-at-law Cieanna Smith after she presented his wife with a long list of “new custos must-dos” at his induction ceremony on September 17, 2024.“I asked to meet her, took a look at the list and told her to choose one item, her passion, form a committee and the custos secretariat would support that project all the way,” Issa told the audience at the Custos Commando Centenarian Storytelling Series, which hosted 101-year-old Agnes Johnson at its launch at Bamboo Blu, Mammee Bay Estate on February 26.

While Smith has taken charge of the storytelling series, the most consequential development for St Ann may be the earlier formation of the St Ann Marine Association (SAMA).

Launched on January 24 to coincide with the Jamaica Inn Foundation’s rescheduled open-water fundraiser, Swim for the Sanctuary (SAMA) is a Custos Commando-inspired organisation tasked with leading the development and management of fish sanctuaries across the parish.

Prem Mahtani, a director of SAMA, noted that the association “builds on Jamaica’s established legal framework for marine protection, including gazetting of the Ocho Rios Park Protected Area (1999)”.

He added that SAMA and the White River Fish Sanctuary “are collaborating with partners to help make marine protection a practical, current-day reality through sanctuary development, coral restoration, community engagement and science-led monitoring”.

Central to SAMA’s ambitions is the creation of a sanctuary stretching from Mammee Bay to Laughing Waters, an effort already under way through the establishment of a coral nursery. The group hopes to replicate the success of the White River Fish Sanctuary, which has recorded a 200 per cent increase in fish stock within its 150-hectare boundary and 150 per cent growth on its outskirts.

Jonathan Hernould, manager of the White River sanctuary, said its approach – doing “what is ecologically responsible for marine life and economically viable for fisherfolk” – is expected to catch on at Mammee Bay.

Mahtani emphasised the ecological promise of the proposed site. “Mammee Bay is a priority for SAMA because it has both ecological value and strong community interest. It also has a coral nursery that represents a real investment in reef resilience. After hurricane damage in 2025, rebuilding and that nursery is one of our priority actions for 2026,” he said.

With a board comprising environmentally engaged directors – including Mahtani, Asha Issa leading fundraising, and Alex Ghisays as company secretary – the Custos Commando initiative, as Issa puts it, supports projects “near and dear to the heart in order to improve the quality of life in St Ann”.

“Just imagine if we end up with 100 custos commandos in St Ann,” Issa said, recalling the town hall-style meetings held at Bamboo Blu. “We will soon write it into the constitution for continuity,” he added.

And while centenarian storyteller Johnson had her audience – including schoolchildren – hanging on every word as she recounted running barefoot before proudly strutting in her first Bata crepe, it is SAMA that offers hope to a future generation: the promise of restored reefs, thriving fish stocks and a coastline protected through community leadership.

editorial@gleanerjm.com