KINGSTON, Jamaica — Iberostar Hotels & Resorts says its partnership in the Grange Pen Fish Sanctuary is supporting the restoration of Jamaica’s marine ecosystems while creating employment opportunities for surrounding communities.

The hotel group highlighted the initiative during the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference in Jamaica, where tourism officials, policymakers and conservation specialists discussed ways to protect marine resources while supporting economic development.

Established in 2025, the Grange Pen Fish Sanctuary covers approximately 3.3 million square metres. It is being developed through a partnership involving Iberostar, the Oracabessa Marine Trust, local fishing communities and government agencies.

The protected area is intended to help rebuild fish populations, strengthen biodiversity and improve the resilience of coastal ecosystems affected by climate change.

Iberostar has also established a nursery within the sanctuary to grow multiple species of coral for reef-restoration activities.

The company said the project supports Jamaica’s commitment under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect 30 per cent of its coastal and marine ecosystems by 2030.

Victor Galván, global director of nature at Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, said conservation projects should be viewed as investments in the long-term sustainability of tourism destinations rather than simply as regulatory obligations.

“By investing in nature, we are building more resilient destinations, stronger communities and a more competitive tourism industry for the future,” Galván said.

He argued that closer collaboration among governments, private companies, conservation organisations and local communities would be necessary to expand nature-based projects and attract financing for Jamaica’s blue economy.

The Grange Pen sanctuary operates under a community-based management model, with local fisherfolk involved in the management of the protected area.

The initiative has also created employment opportunities for park wardens, coral gardeners and sanctuary-management personnel, according to Iberostar.

The company said the approach is intended to give communities a direct role in protecting marine resources while providing alternative sources of income.

The sanctuary forms part of Iberostar’s Wave of Change sustainability programme, which seeks to integrate biodiversity protection into the hotel group’s operations, purchasing and development activities.

Iberostar operates approximately 100 four- and five-star hotels across 14 countries.

The Spanish-owned group has identified marine conservation as a priority because of the dependence of beachfront tourism properties on healthy coastal ecosystems.