TRELAWNY, Jamaica — The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) says as part of its redevelopment plans for the Jacob Taylor Beach in Trelawny, the fisherfolk who currently operate at the beach will be incorporated in its restoration efforts.

This reassurance was given following disquiet over plans to remove vendors from the beach property.

According to the authority, in a statement on Wednesday, the fisherfolk will not be displaced as the conceptual plan provides for their integration through a dedicated fishers’ hub with facilities for boat access, equipment and fish storage, and the maintenance of engines.

“The NRCA’s notices to quit were not served on the fisherfolk. Their rights as traditional users are safeguarded under the Beach Control Act, and their continued access will be protected when the proposed redevelopment proceeds,” Chairman of the NRCA, Christopher Whyms-Stone said.

Whyms-Stone said the notices were served on vendors occupying the beach illegally and were intended to address an outstanding occupancy and tenancy matter and to allow the property to be brought under a lawful, orderly and properly managed framework.

He said the move is in keeping with the original intent for the beach when it was rehabilitated in 2003 to operate as a model public beach that was well-maintained, environmentally responsible and freely accessible.

The agency said the model beach plan also made allowance for 15 craft vendors to operate in the space through formal lease arrangements. However, it said lease payments were sporadic, despite repeated efforts by the authority to collect outstanding sums and regularise the arrears.

“The vendors’ leases expired on 31 August 2006. Following an internal review in July 2017, the NRCA determined that notices to quit should be issued so that the unauthorized occupancy could be addressed and the property brought under effective management,” the NRCA said.

It said notices were subsequently served in April 2018.

“Since then, the matter continues to form part of a longstanding process to resolve expired tenure arrangements, address outstanding occupancy matters, specifically relating to the vendors, and enable the NRCA to manage Jacob Taylor Beach in keeping with its intended public and environmental purposes,” it added.

The NRCA chairman was quick to point out, however, that provisions will be made for the orderly accommodation of vendors once the rehabilitation work is completed.

“The conceptual redevelopment programme makes specific provision for vendors and fisherfolk currently operating at the beach. Vendors are expected to be incorporated into a designated craft village comprising covered stalls together with shared storage and utility services,” Whyms-Stone said.

He added that the purpose-built areas for the fisherfolk and vendors, “are intended to provide safer, more orderly and better-supported conditions for existing livelihood activities”.

The agency underscored that the Jacob Taylor Beach was identified as a priority under the Beach Management Strategy commissioned in 2014, which examined management options, income- generating opportunities, infrastructure requirements and the likely costs of rehabilitating NRCA-owned and leased beaches.

It said the objective is to address the deterioration and ad hoc use of the property while restoring it as a safe, attractive, environmentally responsible and publicly accessible beach.

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