Dear Editor,
In an article published in the Jamaica Observer of August 28, 2016, the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals (JIEP) outlined the many issues relating to the island’s declining parrotfish population and the severe implications of this decline. The article further went on to establish the need for sound scientific research to guide any solution being proposed and credited the efforts of the Loshusan Supermarket chain and Rainforest Seafoods Limited who have both announced that they have discontinued the sale of parrotfish.
About a month ago, on July 20, 2016, attorney-at-law Emma Thompson, in a letter to the editor headlined ‘Ban parrotfish by the hook or crook’, also drew attention to this issue and outlined the need for more action, particularly from the tourism sector.
I would like to commend Loshusan and Rainforest Seafoods as well as private citizens like Thompson who have lent their voice to this very serious issue. I also applaud the Western Mirror, a very important source of news in western Jamaica, for joining the discussion through their article published on Friday, July 22, 2016. This growing conversation around the issue is both heartening and important. I spend a lot of time on and below water and, though I am by no means an expert, I know there is need for urgent action.
Little more than a month ago Sandals Resorts International launched the ‘Save the Parrotfish, Save our Islands’ campaign to draw even more attention to the parrotfish dilemma. While Thompson highlighted the need for involvement from the tourism sector, the issue goes beyond tourism and all Jamaicans should therefore be concerned.
Realising the gravity of this issue, Sandals Resorts International has joined this discussion primarily to boost awareness through public education campaign with a secondary focus on lobbying for regulatory changes. I believe that educating our people and explaining the implications will result in more respect and support from all concerned.
As Caribbean people, we know the dangers of storms and the potential effect on lives and property. Parrotfish are key in maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems, which act as barriers to storm surges and protect our coastlines during unfavourable weather. Additionally, a wide variety of fish — many that we like to eat — live within the coral reef ecosystem. Essentially, parrotfish, by maintaining coral reefs, help to provide a healthy habitat for many fish and therefore food security for many coastal communities.
I fully agree with the recommendations made by JIEP, and with this in mind Sandals aims to identify some middle ground that has little or no negative economic impact, and which protects the parrotfish population, our coral reef ecosystems, and the livelihood of our fisherfolk. Similar to programmes implemented to manage conch and lobster, action is needed, whether through the use of marine sanctuaries, like those implemented by the Sandals Foundation in Boscobel and Whitehouse, seasonal restrictions or a ban on catching parrotfish of certain sizes.
Like JIEP, we are aware of the important role scientific research will play in supporting any call for legislative change, and to this end, we have been in advanced dialogue with researchers from The University of the West Indies to identify potential opportunities for collaborative research, the results of which will form the basis of our calls for regulatory changes.
The truth is, we presently do not have an absolute solution guaranteed to immediately and permanently solve the problem, and we are aware that fisherfolk heavily depend on this fish for their livelihood. They too have to realise, however, that without action today, there will be no fish (parrotfish or otherwise) for tomorrow. Countries such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have implemented successful parrotfish management systems as sustainable alternatives to all-out bans.
The momentum around this cause is good and must be followed up with action. I am excited to see that the cause is gaining traction, and I implore everyone to recognise the threat and to take appropriate action.
Sandals Resorts International is committed to this cause and we stand ready to partner with all like-minded members of the Caribbean community to ensure the sustainable management and protection of our natural resources.
Adam Stewart
Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Sandals/ATL Group
In an article published in the Jamaica Observer of August 28, 2016, the Jamaica Institute of Environmental Professionals (JIEP) outlined the many issues relating to the island’s declining parrotfish population and the severe implications of this decline. The article further went on to establish the need for sound scientific research to guide any solution being proposed and credited the efforts of the Loshusan Supermarket chain and Rainforest Seafoods Limited who have both announced that they have discontinued the sale of parrotfish.
About a month ago, on July 20, 2016, attorney-at-law Emma Thompson, in a letter to the editor headlined ‘Ban parrotfish by the hook or crook’, also drew attention to this issue and outlined the need for more action, particularly from the tourism sector.
I would like to commend Loshusan and Rainforest Seafoods as well as private citizens like Thompson who have lent their voice to this very serious issue. I also applaud the Western Mirror, a very important source of news in western Jamaica, for joining the discussion through their article published on Friday, July 22, 2016. This growing conversation around the issue is both heartening and important. I spend a lot of time on and below water and, though I am by no means an expert, I know there is need for urgent action.
Little more than a month ago Sandals Resorts International launched the ‘Save the Parrotfish, Save our Islands’ campaign to draw even more attention to the parrotfish dilemma. While Thompson highlighted the need for involvement from the tourism sector, the issue goes beyond tourism and all Jamaicans should therefore be concerned.
Realising the gravity of this issue, Sandals Resorts International has joined this discussion primarily to boost awareness through public education campaign with a secondary focus on lobbying for regulatory changes. I believe that educating our people and explaining the implications will result in more respect and support from all concerned.
As Caribbean people, we know the dangers of storms and the potential effect on lives and property. Parrotfish are key in maintaining healthy coral reef ecosystems, which act as barriers to storm surges and protect our coastlines during unfavourable weather. Additionally, a wide variety of fish — many that we like to eat — live within the coral reef ecosystem. Essentially, parrotfish, by maintaining coral reefs, help to provide a healthy habitat for many fish and therefore food security for many coastal communities.
I fully agree with the recommendations made by JIEP, and with this in mind Sandals aims to identify some middle ground that has little or no negative economic impact, and which protects the parrotfish population, our coral reef ecosystems, and the livelihood of our fisherfolk. Similar to programmes implemented to manage conch and lobster, action is needed, whether through the use of marine sanctuaries, like those implemented by the Sandals Foundation in Boscobel and Whitehouse, seasonal restrictions or a ban on catching parrotfish of certain sizes.
Like JIEP, we are aware of the important role scientific research will play in supporting any call for legislative change, and to this end, we have been in advanced dialogue with researchers from The University of the West Indies to identify potential opportunities for collaborative research, the results of which will form the basis of our calls for regulatory changes.
The truth is, we presently do not have an absolute solution guaranteed to immediately and permanently solve the problem, and we are aware that fisherfolk heavily depend on this fish for their livelihood. They too have to realise, however, that without action today, there will be no fish (parrotfish or otherwise) for tomorrow. Countries such as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have implemented successful parrotfish management systems as sustainable alternatives to all-out bans.
The momentum around this cause is good and must be followed up with action. I am excited to see that the cause is gaining traction, and I implore everyone to recognise the threat and to take appropriate action.
Sandals Resorts International is committed to this cause and we stand ready to partner with all like-minded members of the Caribbean community to ensure the sustainable management and protection of our natural resources.
Adam Stewart
Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Sandals/ATL Group