Bio-diversity

The Caribbean Coastal Area Management Foundation (C-CAM) was established in 1997 with the objective of promoting integrated conservation of natural resources and improvement of human livelihoods and quality of life in Portland Bight and similar areas. Portland Bight, has been identified as a priority area by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as well as the National Biodiversity Strategy and Protected Areas Policy. It includes the largest area of contiguous mangrove coastline in Jamaica and the highest concentration of fishers, but has long been one of the poorest areas in the island. In addition, the mangroves on which the fisheries and wildlife depend are threatened by inappropriate development and degraded by hurricane damage. The fishery is in decline and there are very few economic options for the local people. In 1999 the Government of Jamaica designated Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA). In 2003 it delegated management responsibility for the PBPA to C-CAM. In 2005 the area was declared as a Ramsar site. The management plan for PBPA identifies the need for the development of sustainable livelihoods, environmental education, management, restoration of wetlands, enhancement of wildlife populations and monitoring. C-CAM has implemented a number of projects designed to address these issues, but has not so far had the opportunity to develop a practical demonstration project that would bring together these aspects of its work. In particular, Portland Bight wetlands are an important habitat for two globally threatened species - West Indian Whistling-Duck Dendrocygna arborea (a globally threatened Caribbean endemic species) and American Crocodile Crocodylus acutus. Wetlands in general and these species in particular are of interest to tourists and have outstanding educational value. Other Caribbean islands (including Bahamas, Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands) have exploited these values through the development of Watchable Wildlife Ponds (WWP) a concept developed by the Society for the Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds (SCSCB) to promote wetland conservation and ecotourism. These WWPs have proved very successful. Apart from the Royal Palm Reserve in Negril (which does not include mangroves) there are no WWPs or demonstration sites for wetland rehabilitation in Jamaica. There is no wetland interpretation or management centre in Portland Bight. There are no. The SCSCB has asked C-CAM to develop a monitoring protocol for whistling-ducks that can be applied across the region. The Rocky Point (RP) wetlands are centrally located in Portland Bight, close to the Jamalco Port. They include extensive areas of wetland habitat for whistling-ducks, crocodiles, mangroves, fish nurseries and other ecologically important species and ecosystems. It includes Peak Bay Forest Reserve. C-CAM has been in discussion with Jamalco and Forestry Department about collaboration on wetlands management and ecotourism. There are many possibilities for synergies, including with their proposed Clarendon Express a train ride to bring tourists to Portland Bight, which would have a terminus at Rocky Point. C-CAM has identified Rocky Point as a focal point for boat tours in Portland Bight, which would provide alternative income for fishers. C-CAM has been working closely with Jamalco to develop a proposal for Alcoa Foundation to fund the tours, but the proposal does not include the baseline surveys and biodiversity management. Main goals (The goal of the project is to demonstrate sustainable management of Jamaican wetlands and wetland species and thus to increase their contribution to the economy through initiation of the process of development of a WWP at Rocky Point, Clarendon in the PBPA. How this will meet the GEF Small Grants Programme biodiversity priorities for Jamaica

Jamaica