Programmes

NEGRIL CORAL REEF PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Public Education

Junior Ranger Program

The Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society since it’s inception has embarked on a widespread education programme to include, hotels, businesses, community groups and schools. The Junior Ranger Training Programme being one of the forefront education programmes of the organization was initiated in 1995 at the celebration of International Earth Day.  The programme involves twelve schools within the Environmental Protection Area and has enrolled each year 180 Junior Rangers.  Since 1995 over 800 Junior Rangers have graduated. Junior Rangers go through specialized training programmes and complete a Junior Ranger Manual and other requirements for Graduation. The program also entails a summer program which offers swimming and CPR/Lifesaving lessons as well as reinforcing positive environmental practices.

 

NCRPS also organizes events for International Earth Day and International Coastal Cleanup for the greater community. NCRPS also makes presentation to schools and at special events as well as posts and distributes information regarding good environmental practices.

Coral Reef and Water Quality

In 1992, an international workshop entitled Water Quality Issues brought presentations from local agencies, government representatives, marine biologists and other scientists on the state of our coral reefs and water quality.  As a result, it was determined that deteriorating water quality was the most significant negative impact affecting the coral reef ecosystem in Negril.  Short, medium, and long-term recommendations for action were made, including the implementation of a comprehensive, ongoing coral reef and water quality-monitoring programme within the area.  Because of the obvious impact of land based pollution such as fertilizer run off from agricultural lands, improperly treated sewage and other effluents and sedimentation from soil erosion, it was recognized that whole watershed planning was the only way to adequately protect the coral reefs in Negril. 

 

In December 1997, the Society initiated a vigorous coral reef and water quality monitoring programme through funding from the European Union within the boundaries of the then proposed Negril Marine Park.  Noted coral reef scientists extensively trained the NCRPS rangers.  A small nutrient monitoring laboratory was set up at the NCRPS Headquarters with technical assistance, scientists and volunteers.  A baseline study of coral reef communities on shallow reefs in proposed zones within the Marine Park was done in late 1997.  In this study, rangers were trained in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) coral reef monitoring techniques, acting as principal investigators.

Social and Economic Monitoring

This Social Monitoring Program (SocMon) is a set of guidelines that will provide a prioritized list of socioeconomic variables useful to coastal managers. This socioeconomic information will provide an understanding for the social, cultural, economic and political characteristics and conditions of individuals, households, groups, organizations and communities. It will help coastal managers identify potential problems and focus management priorities accordingly.'  

To do this, NCRPS needs to obtain social and economic information on the uses of the Park and the people (local and visitors) who use it. Therefore, NCRPS will soon be conducting a series of interviews with users of the Negril Marine Park to discuss the management of the Park. Interviewers will simply ask people questions about how they use the park and tell them how their information will be used.

 This is an international program funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration done in collaboration with the World Commission of Protected Areas, Center for Resource Management and Environmental Studies at the University of West Indies (CERMES) and the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network.

Mesh Exchange Program

This programme, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, allow fishermen to receive a 2 for 1 exchange of mesh wire to replace fish pots that frequently catch juvenile fish. When fish are caught in this intermediate stage of development, they are not given the chance to mature and reproduce. Therefore, this programme is considered essential to help promote sustainable fishing.

The Mesh Exchange Program is part of an ongoing project within the Negril Marine Park. Four fishing beaches were selected to participate in this program; Negril, Little Bay, Orange Bay and Green Island fishing beaches.

 

 

 

 

Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society

P.O. Box 2563

Negril, Westmoreland

Jamaica, West Indies

Phone: 876-957-3735

Fax: 957-4626

E-mail: coralreef@cwjamaica.com