Jamaica Inn Foundation is now making preparations to host the 8th staging of their are annual backgammon competition, which will take place at Jamaica Inn from June 13-15. To kick things off, a luncheon was hosted at the hotel on Wednesday to welcome their main sponsor Desmond Mair Insurance Brokers Limited.

The company, which is celebrating 100 years, has pledged to donate US$6,000 to the foundation in celebration to support its work, which among other things, includes assistance towards and the development of the White River Fish Sanctuary.

Over the years, funds raised from the tournament have played an integral role in the foundation’s ability to continue conservation efforts at the sanctuary.

“I hope this year’s event will be successful; as it has always been, and hopefully this will go beyond Jamaica Inn and other members of the tourism industry will come onboard and adopt other sanctuaries and make them a part of their responsibility,” managing director at Desmond Mair Insurance Brokers Limited Gregory Mair told the Jamaica Observer.

“Every year we are an associate sponsor of this incredible project but this year we are 100 years old and so we decided to contribute to a good cause,” Mair added.

The White River Fish Sanctuary operates under three pillars — to protect, restore and engage and the foundation dedicates their services in ensuring that it is maintained.

Mair, having learnt of the importance of the sanctuary and protecting marine life, said he is pleased about their approach to engage and sensitise the general public and fisherfolk about the need to care for the environment.

“I’m also very pleased with the responsibility of the sanctuary to educate the fisherfolk and let them understand that they have to take care of the sanctuary,” Mair said.

The backgammon competition, a highly anticipated tournament among enthusiasts and supporters of the project alike, will see players competing over three days for a number of interesting prizes.

Managing director of Jamaica Inn Kyle Mais said the aim of the competition is to make it as inviting as possible to attract international players.

“The better the main prize is for the winner, the more people will be willing to play and so we can make more cash from the entry fees,” Mais shared.

Noting that the foundation is dedicated to raising funds to keep the sanctuary in the good state, Mais underlined the value of the area to the overall tourism industry.

“The White River Fish Sanctuary is one of the best in the island. So we have to protect this area because we depend on the ocean for our tourist product,” Mais said.

Meanwhile, the White River Fish Sanctuary has been in operation since 2017 and has made significant strides in rejuvenating marine life along Jamaica’s north coast. The sanctuary has recorded a 55 per cent increase in fish size, 47 per cent increase in fish population and 28 per cent increase in coral coverage through efforts such as coral propagation, daily patrols, community outreach, and the recent acquisition of a new research boat.

According to director of the White River Fish Sanctuary Jonathan Hernould, proceeds from the backgammon tournament will directly support these ongoing initiatives.

“Running a fish sanctuary is no small task and funding is always important. At our core we are a no fishing zone so we need funding to support our wardens. In order for us to fully protect the space, it requires a lot of funding for a full team,” he told the Jamaica Observer.