ALMOST three-quarters of the earth’s surface is covered by oceans, yet the world is far from capturing the benefits it can offer for sustainable development. Under constant challenge from major threats like climate change, human mistreatment, and inappropriate waste management, all of which have been detrimental to the health of the oceans and to those who depend on its resources.

Jamaican Economy Panel believes the most significant issues facing Jamaica’s ocean is overfishing, marine litter/plastic and the dying coral reefs featured most prominently. Despite action to control plastic use, such as banning plastic carrier bags and straws, the panellists stressed that further actions are required to sustainably manage this valuable resource.

To tackle these issues and reverse some of the damage done to the ocean, the panellists felt that a suite of actions was needed which included developing more opportunities for recycling, strengthening regulations on waste management and raising awareness of the adverse consequences of the current business-as-usual action is having on ocean resources. The Recycling Partners of Jamaica have provided opportunities for Jamaicans to recycle plastic bottles by forming a collaboration with the National Environment Planning Agency (NEPA) and Magna Rewards Jamaica Ltd.

Senior lecturer in the Department of Economics at UWI Mona, Dr Christine Clarke, highlighted the need for waste management to go further with a “five to 10-year campaign promoting separation at source, containerisation and at least weekly collection of garbage.”

The panellists felt that effective awareness raising is critical to tackling ocean pollution. Lecturer in the Department of Economics at UWI Mona, Dr Patrice Whitley, further highlighted that “In order for change to occur, the general population needs to be aware of and concerned about the problem.”

When quizzed about who should be targeted to help combat ocean pollution, Chris Corbin, acting coordinator, UNEP Cartagena Convention Secretariat, explained, “We need to consider multiple sectors who contribute to pollution, who are impacted by pollution, who regulate pollution and who can advocate for change and effect change.”

He noted that setting behaviours, attitudes, regulations and policies to strike the right balance between conserving ocean resources for future generations and capturing its economic potential to enhance incomes and livelihoods are essential to Jamaica’s successful sustainable development.

In the meantime, head of the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies, Dr Nadine McCloud, highlighted the prospects that the ocean economy offers for job creation and shares.

“The scope for the ocean economy to create employment and innovation booms and consequently foster economic growth for Jamaica is massive. However, monetising this critical natural resource must be done sustainably,” Dr McCloud said.

The JEP acknowledged the multi-sectorial attempts to address many of the foremost issues facing the ocean. Dr Garry Conille, United Nations resident coordinator, highlighted, however, that an ambitious balance must be struck.

“We have some way to go if we are to achieve blue economic transformation for Jamaica, especially one that strikes the right balance between optimising its commercial value and preserving this most valuable resource for future generations. This is the joint responsibility of everyone, and we must all play our part,” Dr Conille said,

As it builds forward better from the novel coronavirus pandemic, Jamaica is presented with an important opportunity to chart a new course in this decade of action and champion blue economic transformation that is globally replicable.