NO! to port on Goat Islands/PBPA, Jamaica

On Earth Day, 1999 the Portland Bight was named a protected area by the Government of Jamaica(PBPA for short). Shortly before the status was granted emerged a once thought extinct species, the Jamaican Iguana. The Iguana in spite of early attempts back in the 1940's was thought to have been lost for over 50 years until its rediscovery.


The PBPA is also home to many rare and endangered coral, birds, trees, plants and other life. The area has 2 fish sanctuaries around the Goat Islands, 3 total for the area. It also contains Jamaica's largest stand of Mangrove trees. The Mangrove trees alone in the area are responsible for aprrox. $45 million US dollars in carbon sequestration per year.
The area was also once home to the Taino Tribal people. There is a cave on Goat Islands that has remains and pottery shards as pat of the evidence of them living in the area. There are 60 known caves in the PBPA, and the Taino had some 200 villages the area. The proposed development of a massive transshipping hub & industrial enclave was announced Aug. 2013 by the Government of Jamaica, and was to be done by China state Owned China Harbour Engineering Co. (CHEC). CHEC had sought to develop the Goat Islands in the PBPA in the previous administration, but where told NO!, that they must build it off the main island and not in an environmentally sensitive area. In the past months it was announced that CHEC also seeks to build a coal fire energy plant in the area to suit it's own energy needs for the massive complex.
Our Goals: Meet and talk with the people that are actively working to protect the area from development.
Hold several community forums/rallies across Jamaica to helpeducate the public on the issues surrounding the Goat Islands proposed development of a transshipping hub and massive industrial enclave by CHEC/China, and alternatives for the area such as the Biosphere Reserve & continuation of its status asa protected area.
Meet with officials of the Government of Jamaica and talk to them about the alternative Biosphere Reserve status for the Portland Bight Protected Area & Goat Islands.
Meet with lawyers/law makers that know the Constitutional issues surrounding the proposed development.
Meet with Taino Tribal members and discuss the protection of their Cultural Heritage in the PBPA & meet with cultural heritage organizations. Conduct press conferences, expressing your views, comments and concerns.
Tour the Portland Bight Protected Area & the Jamaican Iguana Recovery Program, and other wild life sanctuaries.
Film for broadcast on our YouTube channel/live pod casts, all areas traveled & events attended when possible.
Broadcast our Blog Talk radio shows Live from Jamaica*. Help out the Palmyra Foundation in the distribution of books and supplies to the children of Jamaica, so they will be ready for the school year. *Interviews and talking directly with the people of Jamaica. This would be your chance to ask direct questions of the guests on our shows.

On behalf of the species of the Portland Bight Protected Area, THANK YOU for your support. http://www.change.org/petitions/prime-minister-portia-simpson-miller-et-al-no-trans-shipping-port-portland-bight-protected-area-jamaica#supporters