The Montego Bay Marine Park Trust in St. James is on a mission to reinstall an ocean litter containment boom, to trap floating debris that enters the sea from the South Gully. Executive Director of the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust, Hugh Shim, told JIS News that the park is currently seeking funding to reinstall the boom. He is also...

Executive Director of the Montego Bay Marine Park Trust, Hugh Shim, says the city’s harbour is much cleaner since the ban on single-use plastic bags and polystyrene foam in Jamaica. The ban began on January 1 of this year and covers the importation, manufacture, distribution and use of the materials. “Since the ban and progressively, we have seen fewer bags,...

The Pesticides Control Authority (PCA) is warning citizens against purchasing pesticides with repackaged labels. According to the PCA Registrar, Tamara Morrison, it is illegal to repackage labels, as the Authority is the only body mandated to regulate the manufacture, use and distribution of pesticides. “We have inspectors that visit these stores and they see these repackaged containers that can be...

The Pesticides Control Authority (PCA) is optimistic that the revised labels on pesticides mandated by the organisation will result in an increase in proper usage of products by Jamaicans. Speaking with JIS News, PCA Registrar, Tamara Morrison, said the recently released labels will use images to make them more user-friendly. “Instead of having to read lengthy instructions, the new labels...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Cockpit Country is an environmental, cultural and historical asset which the Government of Jamaica values greatly. The Prime Minister says the Government is sensitive to the environmental concerns about the Cockpit Country and is moving to ensure that it is protected. Prime Minister Holness made the pronouncements on August 6 at the Denbigh Agricultural...

The Government remains committed to protecting the environment, in particular, the Cockpit Country. Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed the Government’s stance on protecting and preserving the Cockpit Country during his national independence address. The Prime Minister underscored that only environmentally sustainable projects will be pursued. “Based on the technical advice of the experts and after consultations, the boundary of the area...

Jamaicans are being encouraged to exercise caution when using pesticides, especially near waterways that are accessed by nearby communities. The advice comes from the Pesticides Control Authority (PCA) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) as both entities perform their regulatory functions to protect the people and environment of Jamaica. When large amounts of pesticides are used near waterways,...