The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is currently advancing a Master Plan for the popular Hellshire beach, with a target of completion this fiscal year.

Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, made the disclosure on April 28 during his contribution to the Sectoral Debate at Gordon House.

The hugely popular beach in St Catherine that previously drew thousands of Jamaicans and visitors has suffered serious erosion over the past decade, largely due to the effects of climate change.

Many of the shops dotting the shoreline and from which patrons purchase the populuar fish and festival meals that have made the beach famous have fallen into the sea.

The Government is taking steps to address the problem through the master plan.

“The Hellshire Beach area requires a balance between economic activity and environmental integrity,” Samuda said. He shared that the work to restore the beach includes:

-Upgrading sanitation and waste system facilities to eliminate direct discharge and reduce littering

-Regularisation of vending to ensure formalised  operations with clear environmental obligations

-Safeguarding adjacent mangroves and seagrass beds that underpin fisheries and coastal resilience as part of  habitat protection

“The objective is to transform Hellshire into a model of clean, accessible, and economically vibrant coastal use. The necessary studies are being completed, and a detailed plan will be presented to citizens later this year for what will be a multi-year restoration effort,” said Samuda.