As the world marked World Oceans Day on June 8, under the theme ‘Sustaining what sustains us’, small island developing states (SIDS) like Jamaica should be reminded of its deep and historic ties to the sea, and the urgent need to protect it.
While we are a small-island nation, we are a large ocean State, and the ocean is not just a backdrop. It is major economic lifeline for many. From the fishers who rise before dawn to harvest the day’s catch to the hotel workers welcoming guests to sun-drenched beaches, and coral reefs shielding our coastlines from rising tides, the ocean sustains our economies, our culture, and our way of life.
According to the National Fisheries Authority of Jamaica, the island has over 31,000 licensed fishers and they depend on marine ecosystems for their livelihoods. Tourism, much of which is ocean-based, accounts for approximately nine per cent of Jamaica’s gross domestic product and provides employment for hundreds of thousands across the Caribbean region as reported in the 2023 Travel and Tourism Economic Impact published by the World Travel and Tourism Council.
The updated 2021 Climate Change Policy Framework for Jamaica found that approximately 82 per cent of Jamaica’s population live along the coastline, or within five kilometres of the coast. These communities are particularly dependent on a healthy and functioning ocean.
Despite their importance, our oceans face growing threats, many of which are the result of human activity. Overfishing is depleting fish stock faster than they can replenish. The Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 2022 State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture report indicates that more than 30 per cent of global fish stock are overexploited, meaning they are being harvested at unsustainable levels.
Plastic pollution remains a silent killer. The UN Ocean Conference in 2017 highlighted to the world that more than 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year. Locally, plastic bags, bottles, and Styrofoam containers clog drains and litter our beaches, killing marine animals and tarnishing our tourism image.
Coral reef degradation is another stark indicator. According to World Economic Forum, Jamaica lost 85 per cent of its reefs due to hurricanes, pollution, overfishing, and boat damage during the 80s and 90s, but through the committed actions of local fishing communities in collaboration with marine interest in establishing fish sanctuaries and ‘coral gardening’, a revival of coral reefs began, testament to what is possible through collective action.
If we are to truly sustain what sustains us we must act boldly and collaboratively. The JN Foundation joins the global celebration of the ocean’s wonder and calls for comprehensive and coordinated actions that will:
1) expand and enforce marine protected areas (MPAs) to allow ecosystems to recover and thrive;
2) strengthen legislation against single-use plastics and invest in alternatives that do not pollute our waterways;
3) replant mangroves and rehabilitate coastal buffers, using nature-based solutions to combat sea-level rise; and
4) engage youth and communities in ocean stewardship, ensuring the next generation understands the importance of marine conservation.
The ocean has given us food, shelter, jobs, and even joy. But it cannot continue to sustain us if we treat it as an afterthought or a dumping ground. Let us move beyond symbolic gestures and make ocean protection a national and regional priority. Let us invest in the resilience of our coastal communities, elevate the voices of fishers, and embrace policies that value sustainability over short-term gain.

Omar Wright is lead, Environment and Community Development Programme, JN Foundation. He is a Chevening Scholar and development practitioner with expertise in planning, designing monitoring, and executing community development projects. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or owright@jngroup.com.