Transcript Document
Protected Areas Declared under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority Act Protected Areas Declared under the Natural Resources Conservation Authority PROTECTED AREAS Montego Bay Marine Park DECLARATION DATE June 5, 1992 Blue and John Crow Mountains National February 26, 1993 Park Negril Environmental Protection Area November 28, 1997 Negril Marine Park March 4, 1998 Palisadoes/Port Royal Protected Area September 18, 1998 Coral Spring – Mountain Spring Protected Area September 18, 1998 Portland Bight Protected Area April 22, 1999 Ocho Rios Marine Park August 16, 1999 Mason River Protected Area November 14, 2002 Protected Areas Declared for a Reason Conserve species: endangered, threatened, endemic and wild relatives of domesticated or cultivated species Conserve habitats/ecosystems: viable representations of terrestrial/ freshwater/marine ecosystems, protect those that are threatened, habitats for maintenance of viable populations of migratory species Protected Areas Declared for a Reason Conserve biodiversity values for man: Ecosystem services – protection of shorelines and soil, hydrological functions and habitats Economically useful species, genes - for food, fiber, medicine and scientific research Sites of social and cultural value PROTECTED AREA ISSUES Overlapping jurisdiction. A site may include more than one type of protected area. Laws need to be developed/strengthened. Resources required to enforce existing laws. Protected areas are affected by activities outside their boundaries. Degradation/destruction of natural and cultural resources. PROTECTED AREA ISSUES Lack of understanding of the values of protected areas (socio-economic and ecological). REGULATIONS National park and marine park regulations Draft Regulations - Negril Environmental Protection Area and Portland Bight Protected Area (under review) Drafting instructions for Managed Resource Protected Areas and Habitat/Species Management Areas MONITORING Monitoring activities conducted in existing and proposed protected areas. Staff on site – Canoe Valley, Black River. SIGNAGE Erection of signs at Ramsar site and in existing protected areas. PROTECTED AREAS – OURS TO PROTECT AND ENJOY! Palisadoes-Port Royal Protected Area Royal Palm Reserve, Negril Environmental Protection Area Portland Bight Protected Area Hollywell, Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park