Here’s a reminder of the upcoming International Coastal Cleanup Day in Jamaica – Saturday, September 20. The Jamaica Environment Trust is expecting a tremendous turnout. Many thanks to the Tourism Enhancement Fund and to the Sandals Foundation for their ongoing support!
The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has received an overwhelming response to International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day Jamaica, to be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014. For the first time in Jamaica, there are over 130 registered cleanup sites islandwide, including 6 river and 11 underwater cleanups. The number of expected participants has also increased to a record breaking 8,000 volunteers.
“ICC Day in Jamaica has grown leaps and bounds each year,” said Diana McCaulay, JET CEO, “We aimed for 100 sites and more volunteers this year, but 130 sites far exceeds our expectations.” As the National Coordinator, JET is working with local site coordinators to carry out cleanups in all 14 parishes in Jamaica on Saturday. The JET flagship beach cleanup has over 2,200 persons registered, including 21 corporate teams, who will be volunteering at the Fort Rocky Beach on the Palisadoes strip in Kingston.
International Coastal Cleanup Day in Jamaica is funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). The Ministry of Tourism and its agencies, including TEF, will participate in cleanups in Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Kingston. “The Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF) is delighted to know that a record number of sites have been registered for the 2014 ICC Day. It is a clear indication that we are beginning to understand and appreciate the concept of social responsibility and the importance of environmental stewardship…not only to ensure our own survival, but is also expected of us from visitors who are holding destinations to higher environmental standards,” said Clyde Harrison, Executive Director of the TEF.
There has also been enthusiastic participation from tourism stakeholders including hotels and resort boards. Sandals Foundation has come aboard again as a major supporter of ICC Jamaica 2014, coordinating 10 cleanups in 4 parishes. Couples Swept Away, Hedonism II, The Cardiff Hotel and Spa, and the Tryall Club are also coordinating cleanups in their resort areas.
At ICC cleanups, volunteers are not only responsible for picking up trash, but also collecting data on the type of garbage they collect. The data is compiled and sent by JET to the Ocean Conservancy, who coordinates the event globally. A full list of cleanups islandwide is available on JET’s website, http://www.jamentrust.org. JET encourages all Jamaicans to join a cleanup in their region – A day at the beach can make a world of difference!
For further details, contact Suzanne Stanley, Jamaica Environment Trust, 11 Waterloo Road, Kingston 10. Tel: (876) 960-3693; sstanley.jet@gmail.com
Please find below JET’s photographs from last year’s ICC Day around the island…
Scuba divers such as those from the Discovery Bay Marine Lab in 2012 participate in ICC Day by assisting with underwater cleanups.
Volunteers at ICC Day 2013.
Young volunteers at ICC Day 2012.
