Numerous sandy beaches around Jamaica's coastline and on several inshore cays are invaluable

to the tourism industry for the enjoyment of local and foreign visitors. This resource is under
threat from pollution, erosion and illegal sand mining. The erosion of Jamaica's shoreline may be
attributed to several factors. The degradation of coral reefs and mangrove forests have exposed
the sandy beaches to increased wave action, and the illegal but common practice of mining sand
from beaches has exacerbated the problem. Both recreational and fishing beaches have been

ic activities within the country occur there, making coastal zone management very
important for the country.

The wetland areas are important to the coastal ecosystem in that they provide habitat for a
wide variety of organisms (e.g. birdsof the economic activities within the country occur
there, making

in that they provide habitat for a wide variety of organisms (e.g. birds

The importance of sea grass beds in the growth cycles of fish, lobsters and other
commercially important species is recognized by scientists but has not been fully
explored. Indeed there is very little information available on the extent and location of
sea grass beds on Jamaica's coastal shelves and (inshore and offshore) banks.

of fish (e.g. gill nets) and the mesh in most nets is quite small. The laws of Jamaica which
address fisheries management are deficient. The Wildlife Protection Act (1945) states that
juvenile fish are to be protected, and that the definitio, and the illegal but common practice of
mining sand from beaches has exacerbated the problem. Both recreational and fishing beaches
have been

ganisms (e.g. birds

The importance of sea grass beds in the growth cycles of fish, lobsters and other
commercially important species is recognized by scientists but has not been fully
explored. Indeed there is very little information available on the extent and location of
sea grass beds on Jamaica's coastal shelves and (inshore and offshore) banks.

of fish (e.g. gill nets) and the mesh in most nets is quite small. The laws of Jamaica which
address fisheries management are deficient. The Wildlife Protection Act (1945) states that
juvenile visitors. This resource is under threat from pollution, erosion and illegal sand
mining. The erosion of Jamaica's shoreline may be attributed to several factors. The
degradation of coral reefs and mangrove forests have exposed the sandy beaches to
increased wave action, and the illegal but common practice of mining sand from beaches
has exacerbated the problem. Both recreational and fishing beaches have been fouled by
the pileup of refuse, debris and fish offal, as well as by occasional offshore and nearshore
oil spills. The quality of the water around several recreational beaches is deteriorating due
to pollution, particularly from human waste, which makes sea bathing unpleasant.

Wild stocks of a few species of invertebrates have been traditionally exploited by

artisanal fishers. Lobster, shrimp and crabs (crustaceans), conch and oysters (mollusc)
were generally lightly harvested, but in recent years, increases in demand have led to
large increases in fishing pressure. A lucrative export market for lobster and conch has