Board member of the Jamaica Inn Foundation (JIF), Olivia Morrow, says the continued success of the Swim for the Sanctuary event underscores the need for sustained awareness around marine conservation and the livelihoods that depend on Jamaica’s coastal ecosystems.

“There is always more to do in terms of engagement and awareness,” Morrow said. “I think that is why we continue to have the event. Hopefully, we will continue to increase the number of attendees and swimmers and the support…we could not do it without the incredible support and sponsors that we have every year, not only for their fiscal support but from the awareness point of view as well.”

Now in its fifth year, Swim for the Sanctuary will take place on Saturday, November 1 at the White River House, Shaw Park Beach, in Ocho Rios. Races begin at 7:30 am and are open to swimmers of all ages and abilities, featuring individual events of 500m, 1km, 3km and 5km, a 4x100m relay, and a 500m paddleboard race.

“So it’s our fifth year running the event, and it features events of multiple different lengths, from 500m going up to 5k,” Morrow explained. “We also have a paddleboard event, which is really fun.”

All proceeds from the event will go towards the White River Fish Sanctuary — a marine conservation zone off the Ocho Rios coast that has become one of the island’s most successful community-led environmental projects.

“Importantly, all the funds that we raise from this event go towards the support of the White River Fish Sanctuary, which is a very important initiative which was started about 10 years ago and spans the coastline in the Ocho Rios area,” Morrow said. “It protects the marine environment, the coral reefs, and it looks to regenerate and restore the fish population and the coral population in this area.”

For the first time proceeds from the paddleboard race will also benefit the Jamaica Surfing Association.

The White River Fish Sanctuary, a partnership between the Jamaica Inn Foundation and local stakeholders, was established in 2017 as a designated Special Fishery Conservation Area to address overfishing, coral degradation, and declining marine life along the Ocho Rios coastline.

Since its first patrol, fish and coral populations have rebounded dramatically. Data from the sanctuary’s marine assessment revealed a 55 per cent increase in fish biomass, a 47 per cent rise in fish numbers, and a 28 per cent increase in coral cover over its first five years of operation. The sanctuary employs wardens from nearby communities, ensuring that the people most affected by the loss of marine resources are also central to their restoration.

Beyond protection, the White River Fish Sanctuary also focuses on restoration and education. The foundation also runs environmental outreach programmes with local primary and high schools, teaching children about the importance of coastal ecosystems and sustainable fishing.

Morrow says the link between marine conservation and community well-being has always been at the heart of the project.

“I think that’s why the White River Fish Sanctuary was initially formed,” she said. “It was because local community members started to lose their livelihood. The fishing community was seeing less and less catch, smaller and smaller fish and from the tourism point of view, less corals, less sea life, less to see.”

“It isn’t just one industry that the sea impacts,” she continued. “It impacts the local fishing community, the tourism community, it impacts global warming for all of us, so there is a huge group of communities that this impacts, so we hope that more people will get involved and realise just how important this is.”

The event, sanctioned by the Aquatic Sports Association of Jamaica and endorsed by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and Tourism Enhancement Fund, has grown to attract a wide cross-section of local and international participants — from competitive swimmers to families and corporate teams.

Core supporters include host sponsor Jamaica Inn, along with Massy Distribution and Proforma Marketing as Platinum sponsors. Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance, Petrojam, JTB, and Couples Resorts are Gold sponsors, while Sagicor Investments and CPJ support at the Silver level. Bronze sponsors include Iron Rock Insurance, One Great Studio, Guardsman, Wisynco, S Hotels Jamaica, Smatt’s Rum, Jamaica Triathlon Association, and Mr Rehab.

Debra Lopez-Spence, president of Scotia Jamaica Life Insurance, said the partnership reflects the company’s deep connection to the cause.

“This event holds a special place in my heart. The first year that I came and my children were participating, I was absolutely blown away. The event also holds a special place for Scotiabank, not just because it brings together people who love the sea, but because it shines the light on something deeply important — protecting our coastline,” said Lopez-Spence.

Elon Parkinson, communications manager at Petrojam, also emphasised the importance of partnerships that drive environmental sustainability.

“Our bold and ambitious environmental, social, and governance goals are focused on actions that drive long-term sustainability for our environment,” he said. “Supporting the Swim for the Sanctuary eco-fund-raiser is another big deal for us since it brings Petrojam one step closer toward achieving our biodiversity goals.”

“By fostering an inclusive culture that involves environmental groups, our fisherfolk, and like-minded individuals, Petrojam is building on strong foundations that support our people and planet goals,” Parkinson added. “As Jamaica’s energy major, we are focused on investing in activities that support the success of UN Sustainable Development Goals for the environment.”

With hundreds expected to take part in this year’s event, Morrow said she is encouraged by the growing community of supporters rallying behind the cause.

“We are hoping to raise as much as we can,” she said, “so the sanctuary can continue to do the work that is so important to all of us.”

Olivia Morrow, Jamaica Inn Foundation board memberRahyme McKenzie