Jamaica’s beaches are already hugely threatened by erosion, climate change impacts etc. But now, persons unknown are removing large amounts of sand from a beach on the north coast. Who are these people? Should they have received approval from a Government Department in the first place to take the sand? For what purpose is it being used? Where has the sand gone? Are some people above the law? What action has been or will be taken by the agency responsible for our environment? I hope the local media will do their homework.
Here is the Jamaica Environment Trust’s press release. Take a look at the photographs, and all those trucks lining up…
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has received several reports from members of the public of a large beach sand mining operation in Trelawny, west of Duncans Bay Beach and Silver Sands. Information received by JET alleges dozens of truckloads of sand have been removed from the coastline over a period of at least three days last week, but may have been going on for much longer. It is unclear whether this operation has received an environmental permit or a beach license from the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) or any oversight at all from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). It is understood that the Mines and Geology Division of the Ministry of Agriculture did give approval, but no official confirmation of the scope of what was allowed has yet been received from any government agency.
“Many parts of Jamaica’s coastline are seriously affected by beach erosion,” says JET’s CEO, Diana McCaulay. “How can any Government agency be giving permission for removal of beach sand? It displays a staggering ignorance of how beach sand is replenished and a complete disregard for the ecosystem functions of beaches.”
JET calls on the GOJ to release full information on this matter immediately – who carried out the operation, what permission was granted, where the sand was sent to and what enforcement action, if any, is appropriate or has been taken.
JET’s investigation into this matter continues.
Contact:
Diana McCaulay
CEO, Jamaica Environment Trust
469-1315
Danielle Andrade
Legal Director, Jamaica Environment Trust
392-7341
Petchary's Blog 
Permission was granted?!?! Who the hell gives permission to destroy the beaches of an island?! It’s going to get very crowded up on Blue Mtn. some day.
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oh this hurts my stomach and soul. i just sent another comment via email, as my connection is very slow and backfires a lot.
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It is so painful. It seems we are bent on destruction. I will check my email and thanks so much for your comments!
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we both have expressed our concern for sand mining and vanishing beaches this week. i’m glad that people of your country are speaking up.
is it ok to link to your post? here’s mine:
http://playamart.wordpress.com/2014/01/18/breaker-breaker-breakin-high-tides-chomp-vanishing-beaches/
z
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Oh, that is quite a coincidence isn’t it! I will read your blog post now. Yes, of course you are welcome to link to my post. I have a feeling this won’t be the last time that I write about our disappearing beaches… So sad, isn’t it.
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This is frightening!
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Yes, it is. It’s a good thing that there are environmentally aware Jamaicans on the north coast with sharp eyes! Not visible from the road… As you can see the photos were taken from the sea.
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