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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.

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.

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 ManagementNumerous 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.

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