OCHO RIOS, St Ann — Residents yesterday blocked the Mammee Bay main road to protest against the seizure of more than 10 jet skis by the police.

The seizure of the jet skis was reportedly done as a result of the six-month ban on jet skis, imposed recently by the tourism minister.

Residents said that the operation of jet skis was the only livelihood for the majority of persons in Mammee Bay. “A this support the most of the community,” a man, who did not wish to be named, told the Jamaica Observer.

“The jet ski business is a big business to Mammee Bay. We no have no factory; we no have no industry, the only thing people can live off is tourism”, said a man who identified himself only as ‘Mecca Man’. He said the ban was not good for persons who would not be employed otherwise.

“Ah it sen’ nuff children go ah school. If you go through the community, most person have a jet ski,” said another man.

The residents were also upset as they said the majority of the jet skis were taken from their homes during an early morning operation by police.

“A no sea dem tek dem. A after five this morning dem kick off people gate and tek dem put on wrecker,” one man told the Jamaica Observer.

Residents believed the operation was a target on the poor, as several other persons who own jet skis in neighbouring areas were not targeted.