Conservation works, but CARING COSTS!
FISHERFOLK AT the White River Fish Sanctuary (WRFS) in Ocho Rios are predicting they will reap a 1,500 per cent increase in fish stocks in five years, surpassing their original target of ‘500 in 5, by a thousand.
The campaign, which was launched just over a year ago, has resulted in an outstanding impact on marine life in an area once badly depleted by overfishing.
“We are shooting for a 500 per cent fish biomass increase in five years, but I think we will get to 1,500 per cent in that time,” local fishermen Noel Francis and Raglan Brown stated, having already seen the fish coming back in the White River.
Both men are fishermen who are now two of 12 wardens that patrol the sanctuary. “We don’t have to travel far out, as we used to, to get good fish outside of the sanctuary borders anymore,” they revealed during a fundraiser supported by Guy Harvey, the world-renowned Jamaican ocean life artist and conservationist.
The event, staged at Couples Sans Souci under the banner ‘Protect, Restore, Engage (PRE)’, raised US$28,000 that will go towards coral restoration, marine park conservation, patrol and enforcement, and education.
Since the White River Fishermen Association (WRFA) joined hands with the sanctuary, and taking the decision not to prosecute so much as to educate fisherfolk, marine users (tour boats, divers, snorkellers, beach guests and others), the impact has been rewarding.
In fact, White River seemed to have joined line with other Jamaican fish sanctuaries being described as “quiet success story”, but Harvey and WRFS partners believe the time has come to “make some noise”, to galvanize investment and expand on what currently exist.
Projects such as ‘Adopt a Warden’ are among the efforts that the WRFS is pushing as it works towards sustainable development.
Guy Harvey’s visit to Jamaica was to make that push far more meaningful, and he didn’t disappoint.
“Marine conservation is good for business. The kind of sustainable business that countries like Jamaica needs,” he stated, but more importantly, he says marine protected areas, are not only good for business, but also increased climatechange resilience, increased biodiversity and productivity, protection of cultural values, environmental health, increased recreation and tourism livelihoods.
He added that sharks in the water in Florida are worth more in the water.
Giving a synopsis of the economic importance of marine protected areas, the marine artiste and
founder of the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, impressed upon the guests in attendance that “conservation works”.
For example, in the Cayman Islands, one of Jamaica’s closest neighbours, a single stingray fetches US$500,000 and 25 rays equal US$17 million per year, Harvey argued, noting that in Florida and The Bahamas, the economic value of protecting sharks is also generating huge business.
“Shark attractions in Florida bring in US$221 million per year, while The Bahamas are earning US$113.8 million a year.”
According to him, tag-andrelease tournaments for large sail fish like the Blue Marlin generate tens of millions of dollars in the Caribbean and Central American annually as well.
White River Fish Sanctuary board member Belinda Morrow in her speech, emphasised that they are many ways to get involved and help the sanctuary.
“Sign up for one of our glass bottom boat rides,” she encouraged. “Reduce, reuse and recycle your plastics. Volunteer your time. Buy your fish only from members of the WRFA, whose members respect the sanctuary. Everyone can pledge to do something to help in our efforts. It all adds up.”
To help the sanctuary, go to www.whiteriverfish