DOCSLIB.ORG

Kingston Harbour Tourist Destination

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Kingston Harbour Tourist Destination INGSTO K HARBOUR N Bring back The degraded water quality and equally degrad- the life! ed physical conditions on the shore have greatly Institutional Strengthening for Enhanced retarded the development of the Harbour as a Management of Kingston Harbour tourist destination. The social and economic impacts due to severe pollution of the Harbour have caused loss of many employment and busi- ness opportunities. “Red tide” surrounding a ship in Kingston Harbour • initiatives for assisting industries to improve the quality of effluents from their operations. National Environment & What is Being Done? • a blueprint for a ship waste reception Planning Agency 1. The National Environment and Planning facility. Agency is developing regulations for sewage • increased public awareness about the Managing & Protecting Jamaica’s and industrial effluents and sludge. Land, Wood & Water harbour and our stake in cleaning it up and 2. A sewage treatment plant is to be built at bringing it back to life. Soapberry in Hunts Bay. 10 & 11 Caledonia Avenue, 3. The Government of Jamaica with the assis- Kingston 5, Jamaica W.I. tance of the Inter-American Development What Can YOU Do? Tel: 754-7540 - 3 Bank, is implementing the Kingston Harbour • Educate yourself about Kingston Harbour and Fax: 754-7595 - 6 Rehabilitation Project which will deliver: how it is being damaged. Web: www.nepa.gov.jm • a management and zoning plan for • Dispose of your garbage properly, and the Harbour. definitely not in gullies or the Harbour • a computer model for water quality • Minimise your use of harmful household, agri- monitoring. cultural and industrial chemicals and • a management structure to ensure order- non-biodegradable packaging material. ly and planned development and use of the • Encourage your family and friends to do the Harbour. same. Kingston Harbour Today Today, Kingston Harbour is severely polluted by ingston Harbour is one of the largest natural sewage, solid waste, and industrial effluent. harbours in the world. It owes its existence to K An estimated 20 million gallons of untreated or the Palisadoes tombolo which forms a protective poorly treated sewage is discharged into the barrier to the south. harbour each day. The harbour is bordered on the north and east Tons of solid waste deposited in the fifteen Results of Pollution by Kingston, Jamaica's capital, and on the west by gullies which traverse Kingston ends up in the Green Bay, Port Henderson and the municipality of Harbour, as does runoff from the Riverton landfill. The results of the high levels of pollutants entering Portmore in St. Catherine. Industrial waste coming down the gullies Kingston Harbour have been a severe reduction in Kingston Harbour has played an important role and from factories located around the rim of the marine life, and a dangerous increase in the intro- in the history of all the groups that have lived on Harbour contribute to its poor health. duction of alien invasive species which have crowd- its shores. Its aquamarine waters provided fishing Water rich with agricultural chemicals ed out some indigenous marine species. This has for the Tainos and a port for the Spanish and the draining from farms as much as 30 miles away impacted the livelihood of thousand of Kingston English, whose pirates used Port Royal as a base enters the harbour by streams and rivers which Harbour fisher folk. for their raids on the Spanish Main. feed into it. The Harbour is no longer an attractive place for Importance of Kingston Harbour Waste, including ballast water is dumped into recreational activities and facilities such as swim- Many surviving historical monuments and sites the harbour by the thousands of ships that call at ming and water sports, picnicking, waterfront such as Fort Charles at Port Royal and Rodney’s Kingston Harbour and its shores are important to the port of Kingston each year. restaurants and parks. Cross-the-Harbour races are Lookout at Green Bay bear testimony to the Jamaica because of the economic value of the activ- • Sediment enters the harbour from the rivers, a distant memory to those old enough to remember Harbour’s historic past. Cross-the-Harbour races ities which it supports. The main activities are fish- gullies and drains. them. were a feature of Kingston life in the middle of the ing, shipping, aviation, industry and commerce. The 20th Century. • Inadequate planning and lack of value of these activities is estimated at over US$510 It was also a major port of call for cruise ships. adherence to planning regulations million annually. Tourism and recreation could In the middle years of the twentieth century, and laws for physcal development have increase the value if environmental conditions in Kingston Harbour was a place of many recreation- caused environmental damage. and around the Harbour were better managed. In al activities such as swimming, water skiing and addition, the Harbour is a laboratory for study of yachting. Since the beginning of this millenium, marine sciences and the effects of human activities on New Year's Eve, it is the launch pad for beau- on such bodies of water. It supports a variety of tiful displays of fireworks when the entire area marine life, which has been greatly diminished by teems with activity. pollution, dredging and other human activities. .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Destination Jamaica
    © Lonely Planet Publications 12 Destination Jamaica Despite its location almost smack in the center of the Caribbean Sea, the island of Jamaica doesn’t blend in easily with the rest of the Caribbean archipelago. To be sure, it boasts the same addictive sun rays, sugary sands and pampered resort-life as most of the other islands, but it is also set apart historically and culturally. Nowhere else in the Caribbean is the connection to Africa as keenly felt. FAST FACTS Kingston was the major nexus in the New World for the barbaric triangular Population: 2,780,200 trade that brought slaves from Africa and carried sugar and rum to Europe, Area: 10,992 sq km and the Maroons (runaways who took to the hills of Cockpit Country and the Blue Mountains) safeguarded many of the African traditions – and Length of coastline: introduced jerk seasoning to Jamaica’s singular cuisine. St Ann’s Bay’s 1022km Marcus Garvey founded the back-to-Africa movement of the 1910s and ’20s; GDP (per head): US$4600 Rastafarianism took up the call a decade later, and reggae furnished the beat Inflation: 5.8% in the 1960s and ’70s. Little wonder many Jamaicans claim a stronger affinity for Africa than for neighboring Caribbean islands. Unemployment: 11.3% And less wonder that today’s visitors will appreciate their trip to Jamaica Average annual rainfall: all the more if they embrace the island’s unique character. In addition to 78in the inherent ‘African-ness’ of its population, Jamaica boasts the world’s Number of orchid species best coffee, world-class reefs for diving, offbeat bush-medicine hiking tours, found only on the island: congenial fishing villages, pristine waterfalls, cosmopolitan cities, wetlands 73 (there are more than harboring endangered crocodiles and manatees, unforgettable sunsets – in 200 overall) short, enough variety to comprise many utterly distinct vacations.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of Urbanization on Natural Resources in Jamaica
    Doneika Simms. The Effects of Urbanization on Natural Resources in Jamaica . 44th ISOCARP Congress 2008 THE EFFECTS OF URBANIZATION ON NATURAL RESOURCES IN JAMAICA BACKGROUND OF STUDY AREA Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean, comprising of approximately 4,400 sq. miles or 10,991 square kilometers in area. Over two-thirds of the country’s land resources consist of a central range of hills and mountains, with the Blue Mountain Range being the most significant, ranging over 6000 ft. in height (GOJ, 1994; Clarke, 2006). This means that urban development in areas such as the capital city of Kingston and other principal towns such as Montego Bay and Ocho Rios is limited to the relatively small amount of flat lands most of which has a coastal location (see figure 1). Figure 1 Showing a Map of Jamaica and the Various Cities along the Coast Source: http://www.sangstersrealty.com/jamaica_map.htm Although a significant portion of the terrain is mountainous, in several places the coastal plain extends to form broad embayments. Among these, a dry embankment on the south side of the island known as the Liguanea Plain has been occupied by the city of Kingston. The built-up area of the city spreads over 50 sq. miles and comprises the parish of Kingston and the suburban section of St. Andrew. The city is located on the eastern side of the island which is sheltered from the north-east trade winds by the Blue Mountains, hence being ideal for the major seaport of the country- the Kingston Harbour (Clarke, 2006).
    [Show full text]
  • Jamaican Beaches Introduction
    Jamaican Beaches Introduction Visiting the beach is a traditional recreational activity for many Jamaicans. With an increasing population, there is a great demand for the use of beaches. However, many of the public beaches are of poor quality, lack proper facilities, and face the problem of fishermen encroaching. Over the years some of these natural resources are on the verge of destruction because of the inadvertent and/or direct intentions of organizations and individuals. One such threat to the preservation of beaches is pollution. To have healthy environmentally friendly beaches in our Island we must unite to prevent pollution. This display gives an overview of some beaches in Jamaica and existing threats. It also examines the Kingston Harbour and how we can protect these natural resources. Jamaica is blessed with many beautiful beaches in the different parishes; the most popular are located in Westmoreland (Negril), St. Ann, St. James, and St. Catherine (Portmore). Some of the more popular beaches in the parishes: Kingston and St. Andrew Harbour Head Gunboat Copacabana Ocean Lake St. Thomas Lyssons Rozelle South Haven Mezzgar’s Run Retreat Prospect Rocky Point Portland Innis Bay Long Bay Boston Winnifred Blue Hole Hope Bay St. Mary Rio Nuevo Rockmore Murdock St. Ann Roxborough Priory Salem Sailor’s Hole Cardiff Hall Discovery Bay Dunn’s River Beach Trelawny Rio Bueno Braco Silver Sands Flamingo Half Moon Bay St. James Greenwood RoseHall Coral Gardens Ironshore Doctor’s Cave Hanover Tryall Lance’s Bay Bull Bay Westmoreland Little Bay Whitehouse Fonthill Bluefield St. Catherine Port Henderson Hellshire Fort Clarence St. Elizabeth Galleon Hodges Fort Charles Calabash Bay Great Bay Manchester Calabash Bay Hudson Bay Canoe Valley Clarendon Barnswell Dale Jackson Bay The following is a brief summary of some of our beautiful beaches: Walter Fletcher Beach Before 1975 it was an open stretch of public beach in Montego Bay with no landscaping and privacy; it was visible from the main road.
    [Show full text]
  • The Kingston Metropolitan Area's (KMA) Ability to Respond to a Magnitude 6.5 Or Above Earthquake Nicole Warmington-Granston Florida International University
    Florida International University FIU Digital Commons DRR Student Publications Extreme Events Institute 2011 The Kingston Metropolitan Area's (KMA) Ability to Respond to a Magnitude 6.5 or Above Earthquake Nicole Warmington-Granston Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/drr_student Recommended Citation Warmington-Granston, N. (2011). The Kingston Metropolitan Area's (KMA) ability to respond to a magnitude 6.5 or above earthquake. Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University. This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Extreme Events Institute at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in DRR Student Publications by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. DISASTER RISK REDUCTION of the AMERICAS PROGRAM REPORT On The Kingston Metropolitan Area’s (KMA) Ability to Respond to a Magnitude 6.5 or Above Earthquake Nicole Warmington-Granston PhD Student & Research Assistant Disaster Risk Reduction Program Florida International University Submitted to: Dr. Richard S. Olson Dr. Juan Pablo Sarmiento Dr. Gabriela Hoberman The Structure of the Kingston Metropolitan Area The Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) consists of the parish of Kingston and parts of the parish of St. Andrew, which includes “Six Miles to the west, Stony Hill to the north, Papine to the northeast and Harbour View to the east, [and] communities in urban and suburban Saint Andrew” 1. Kingston has the rare distinction of being a parish, city and capital. It is also considered the 7 th largest natural harbour in the world. The parish of Kingston includes ‘downtown’, the Palisadoes Strip, where the Norman Manley International Airport is located and Port Royal.
    [Show full text]
  • Portland Bight
    National Environment and Planning Agency Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation within the Local Development - An Ecosystem Based Management Approach Jamaica's National Launch of the Global Campaign Making Cities Resilient Hotel Four Seasons MAY 7-8 2013 Anthony McKenzie & Gregory Bennett Managing and protecting Jamaica's land, wood and water National Environment and Planning Agency Coastal Protection Structures US$65,000,000 to raise a section of the Palisadoes an additional 3m a.s.l. • 3.5km rubble mound revetment is being constructed. • Beach dunes are being re-established. Managing and protecting Jamaica's land, wood and water National Environment and Planning Agency CCA and Ecosystem Services Objective: Demonstrate the importance of natural ecosystems in disaster risk reduction Managing and protecting Jamaica's land, wood and water National Environment and Planning Agency CCA and Ecosystem Services In recent times, people have started to pay attention to the direct and indirect links between climate change risk and the presence of intact and healthy ecosystems (Gilman et al 2008). Managing and protecting Jamaica's land, wood and water National Environment and Planning Agency Importance of Coastal Ecosystems Natural Buffers Ecosystems such as mangrove forests, coral reefs, floodplains and forests act as natural, dynamic barriers that can protect vulnerable communities against natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis (Cahoon and Hensel 2006) Managing and protecting Jamaica's land, wood and water National
    [Show full text]
  • Guide Welcome Irie Isle
    GUIDE WELCOME IRIE ISLE Seven Mile Beach Seven Mile Beach KNOWN FOR ITS STUNNING BEAUTY, Did you know? The traditional cooking technique FRIENDLY PEOPLE, LAND OF WOOD AND WATER known as jerk is said to have been invented by the island’s Maroons, VIBRANT CULTURE or runaway slaves. AND RICH HISTORY, Jamaica is a destination so dynamic and multifaceted you could visit hundreds of Negril, Frenchman’s Cove in Portland, Treasure Beach on the South Coast or the times and have a unique experience every single time. unique Dunn’s River Falls and Beach in Ocho Rios, there’s a beach for everyone. THERE’S NO BETTER Home of the legendary Bob Marley, arguably reggae’s most iconic and globally But if lounging on the sand all day is not your style, a visit to Jamaica may be recognised face, the island’s most popular musical export is an eclectic mix of just what the doctor ordered. With hundreds of fitness facilities and countless WORD TO DESCRIBE infectious beats and enchanting — and sometimes scathing — lyrics that can be running and exercise groups, the global thrust towards health and wellness has THE JAMAICAN heard throughout the island. The music is also celebrated through annual festivals spawned annual events such as the Reggae Marathon and the Kingston City such as Reggae Sumfest and Rebel Salute, where you could also indulge in Run. The get-fit movement has also influenced the creation of several health and EXPERIENCE Jamaica’s renowned culinary treats. wellness bars, as well as spa, fitness and yoga retreats at upscale resorts.
    [Show full text]
  • Clean Kingston Harbour: Pipe Dream Or Pot of Gold?
    The GraceKennedy Foundation Lecture 2019 Clean Kingston Harbour: Pipe Dream or Pot of Gold? Mona Webber Wayne Henry Tijani Christian GraceKennedy Foundation — i — Published in April 2019 by the GraceKennedy Foundation 73 Harbour Street, Kingston Jamaica, West Indies Telephone: (876) 922-3440-9 • Ext. 3540/1 ©2019 GraceKennedy Foundation ISBN 978-976-8041-41-8 (eBook) Printed in Jamaica by The Phoenix Printery Limited — ii — Contents GraceKennedy Foundation …………………………………………………. iv The GraceKennedy Foundation Lecture Series ……………………. vii The GraceKennedy Foundation Lecture 2019 ……………………… x The Lecture Overview ……………………………………………………………………………… 1 Mona Webber Chapter 1 | Kingston Harbour and its Natural Environment ……………………………… 6 Chapter 2 | Kingston Harbour: Decades of Use and Misuse ………………………. 24 Chapter 3 | Broken but Not Destroyed: Kingston Harbour Recovers? ……………………. 66 Wayne Henry Chapter 4 | Kingston Harbour: A Natural Capital Stock for Propelling Sustainable Prosperity for Jamaica ………………………………………………. 83 Tijani Christian Chapter 5 | Reclaiming Kingston Harbour by Using its Untapped Human Capital …………. 108 Appendix | Plastic Facts ……………………………………………………. 121 References ………………………………………………………………………… 126 — iii — GraceKennedy Foundation he GraceKennedy Foundation (GKF) was established in T1982, in celebration of the company’s 60th anniversary. The Foundation provides assistance in three areas: education, the environment, and health and well-being. This is accomplished primarily through the provision of grants, tertiary scholarships, diaspora activities, the funding of two Professorial Chairs at The University of the West Indies, and the Annual Lecture Series. This year’s lecture is closely aligned with GraceKennedy’s commitment to environmental stewardship. GKF spearheaded discussions with public and private entities aimed at developing a long term, sustainable solution to reduce the pollution entering the Kingston Harbour. The “Clean Harbour Initiative” is the motivation behind the topic of this year’s lecture.
    [Show full text]
  • Page 94 El Pitirre 14(2) ISLAND REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS—JAMAICA
    ISLAND REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS JAMAICA July 2001 SUZANNE DAVIS Natural History Division, Institute of Jamaica, 10–16 East Street, Kingston, Jamaica; e-mail: [email protected] NATIONAL INITIATIVES estry Land Use Policy. The revision is in progress Important Bird Areas Programme and major related issues are covered in the Forest Plan. Further information which may be downloaded In June 2001, BirdLife International’s Partner in from the Forestry Department’s website at www. Jamaica (BirdLife Jamaica) began implementing the forestry.gov.jm. Important Bird Areas [IBA] programme for Jamaica. The IBA programme identifies and assesses sites of international importance for birds and seeks to estab- Parks and Protected Areas lish, at a national level, a network of protected areas Jamaica has two national parks, the Blue and John critical for those species which are site dependent or Crow Mountain National Park (BJCMNP) and the habitat sensitive. This network will be part of the Montego Bay Marine Park. Other protected areas global network for IBA’s coordinated by BirdLife that have been declared include the Portland Bight International (i.e., the Partners). Area, and the Negril and Green Island Watersheds. Activities will include the development of a na- Several other areas, such as the Cockpit Country, tional inventory of sites critical for bird and biodiver- Dolphin Head area, and the Black River Morass, are sity conservation in Jamaica, training and fieldwork, slated to be declared national parks or various cate- advocacy and education programmes, and strength- gories of protected areas eventually. ening partnerships with local, regional, and interna- The Natural Resources Conservation Authority tional organizations.
    [Show full text]
  • Kingston Harbour and Its Heritage
    Kingston Harbour and its Heritage Sheries Simpson Kingston Harbour Project National Environment & Planning Agency Montego Bay Kingston Harbour Jamaica is a small island, but boasts one of the largest natural harbours of the world, the KINGSTON HARBOUR Kingston Portmore Kingston Harbour Port Royal Uses of the Harbour Fishing Recreation Industry Uses of the Harbour Shipping Kingston Harbour Early eighteenth century map of Kgn. Harbour, taken from Stanley Consultants’ 1967 Storm Surge Study 1768 Map of Kingston. Note Port Royal was an island! People who came • Port Royal was known as the jewel of the Caribbean and was the main port of entry for African slaves coming across the middle passage. • The Indians and Chinese were later brought to be indentured servants once the African slaves were freed. The Indians and Chinese were usually transported around the island by sea. Port Royal • During the slave trade and the English/Spanish wars, Port Royal was the Headquarters of some of the most blood thirsty pirates such as Henry Morgan, Captain Kidd, Blackbeard the Pirate and 'three-fingered' Jack Rackham. • Port Royal was once called "the richest and wickedest city in the world " and was the capital of Jamaica. Port Royal • Ever since the capture of Jamaica by the English from the Spanish in 1655, the need for fortification became immediate because of the constant threat of foreign invasion • As a result, several forts were built along the coast of Kingston Harbour to defend the country, some of which still stands today. • The forts were built on high ground overlooking the sea, however, some were on flat lands and sometimes very close to the sea.
    [Show full text]
  • Tllllllll:. Search, 14(3),951-959
    Journal of Coastal Research 951-959 Royal Palm Beach, Florida Summer 1998 Historical Development of the Port Royal Mangrove Wetland, Jamaica Gerard P. Alleng Institute of Marine Affairs, Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago. ABSTRACT _ ALLENG, G.P., 1998. Historical development of the Port Royal Mangrove Wetland, Jamaica. Journal of Coastal Re­ .tllllllll:. search, 14(3),951-959. Royal Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. ~ Studies on the historical development of mangrove wetlands are rare in contrast to the vast array of information on eusss~ ~ ? the geological development of these systems. Historical development of the Port Royal mangal was investigated so as --A... w;-4ES improve understanding of recent changes occurring in relation to the increasing threat of sea level rise to their existence. The historical development of the Port Royal mangal, Jamaica, began with the first documented spatial record for the area in 1692 and traced to 1991 using historical maps and aerial photographs. The mangrove system is a fringe mangrove community type, composed of primarily Rhizophora mangle L. located along the northern shore of the Palisadoes, which is a composite tombolo on the south coast of Jamaica. A general trend was determined for the morphology of the mangal which showed relative stability, displaying little significant variation in its areal extent over a period of 300 years. The horizontal extension by colonizing mangroves has not been significant, with forested areas being restricted to sharply defined geomorphological units, probably because of the response of the system to a combination of factors. These include: i. a small tidal range; ii.
    [Show full text]
  • Case Study for Jamaica
    UNCTAD National Workshop Jamaica 30 May – 1 June 2017, Kingston, Jamaica “Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation for Coastal Transport Infrastructure in Caribbean SIDS” Case Study for Jamaica By Danielle Dowding-Gooden Smith Warner International Ltd., Jamaica This expert paper is reproduced by the UNCTAD secretariat in the form and language in which it has been received. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the UNCTAD. Case Study for Jamaica CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON COASTAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE CARIBBEAN: ENHANCING THE ADAPTIVE CAPACITY OF SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES Prepared for: United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Presented by Danielle Dowding-Gooden, MSc., PEng, 30 May 2017 Coastal and Environmental Engineer Overview Introduction to project Profile of Jamaica Critical transport infrastructure Asset vulnerability to climate stressors Potential adaptation options 1 Introduction Climate change has most dramatic impacts on (a) small island countries, (b) countries with low-lying coastal areas, (c) countries with areas prone to natural disasters Caribbean located in “hurricane alley” of the Atlantic Caribbean islands are small with mountainous interiors and populated narrow coastal plains Caribbean economies depend on natural resources which means limited financial, technical and institutional capacity for adaptation Introduction cont’d Climate Change Policy Framework for Jamaica (released in September 2015) creates an institutional mechanism and structures
    [Show full text]
  • CBD Fifth National Report
    National Environment and Planning Agency Fifth National Report for Jamaica 2010-2013 Prepared by NEPA December 2015 i ANNEX 1 COPYRIGHT PAGE Document Title: Fifth National Report for the NBSAP Project Prepared by: Dionne Newell for the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), December 2015 10&11 Caledonia Avenue Kingston 5 Jamaica W.I. Telephone: (876) 754-7540 Fax: (876) 754-7596 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.nepa.gov.jm All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or part for education or non-profit purposes without the special permission from the copyright holder. Acknowledgement of the source must be made and the National Environment & Planning Agency would appreciate receiving a copy of any such publication. Copyright © 2016 by the National Environment and Planning Agency Edited: May 2, 2016 ii Table of Contents List of Acronyms/Abbreviations................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ vi Executive Summary.......................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1. An Update on Biodiversity Status, Trends, Threats
    [Show full text]