CARIBBEAN/JAMAICA: Next Launch, Negril

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEXT LAUNCH, NEGRIL


BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (November 10, 2003) – The Negril area, one of Jamaica’s 
premier tourism destination, will have some added activities this week as the 
Caribbean Regional Environmental Programme (CREP) launches the Amenity Area 
Demonstration Project on November 11 and 12.

CREP is providing 500,000 Euros to be used for further development of some 
tourism facilities and for conservation in the selected site - the Negril 
Environmental Protection Area and Negril Marine Protection Area including the 
Negril Morass and Royal Palm Reserve.
 
Among the activities included under the CREP project will be the development 
of a Benthic habitat map of the protected area, which uses a combination of 
aerial photography and satellite imagery.
There will also be feasibility studies on effluent disposal including 
consultations with the public and with the National Water Commission on 
possible ways to replenish areas of the Morass that are noticeably drier.

The first activity of the launch is a day-long stakeholder workshop on 
Tuesday November 11, and this will be followed by the public ceremony on 
Wednesday November 12 at the Negril Community centre from one o’clock in the 
afternoon. 

The CREP Demonstration Project is geared at strengthening collaboration 
between government and civil society in the management of sensitive natural 
areas in the region in ways that make them economically viable while ensuring 
their sustainability.

The National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) will represent the Jamaica 
government in the running of the project while the Negril Environmental 
Protection Trust and the Negril Coral Reef Preservation Society are the two 
NGOs chosen to act as stewards of the Demonstration Site.

The purpose of CREP is to strengthen Regional cooperation in conservation 
management and sustainable development of the Areas. 

The Demonstration Project facilitates collaboration between Government 
Agencies and NGOs to demonstrate management processes that empower 
communities to undertake economic activities, which integrate social benefits 
and environmental conservation as the basis for their value.

CREP is implemented by the CCA through a Programme Management Unit (PMU) 
established at the Secretariat in Barbados. Current Programme financing comes 
from the European Commission with a commitment of 9.1 million Euros. 

For more information on CREP visit the CCA website: www.ccanet.net or contact 
Collin Cunningham at crepinformation@ccanet.net  or Cathal Healy-Singh at 
crepmanager@ccanet.net