World Environment Day Focuses On Endemic Species

June 4, 2016

Jamaica's endangered species such as the Queen Conch and the yellow and black billed parrots, which have been targeted for illegal transboundary trade were the focus of a discussion at the National Environment and Planning Agency's (NEPA) Open Day and Environmental Fair held on Friday, June 3.

Yvette Strong, Senior Manager in the Conservation and Protection Subdivision at NEPA said that the Wildlife Trade Policy was conceptualized in a bid to fill the gaps in existing environmental laws in protecting endangered species.

"There are currently several legislation that deal specifically with wildlife such as the Wildlife Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act however these Acts do not address several issues related to the domestic and international trade in endemic plants and animals and their derivatives," Strong said.

Ms Strong further explained that the Wildlife Trade Policy aims to ensure there is a system in place to ensure the sustainable use of wildlife and regulation of the trade in wildlife. This will be achieved under the policy through improved enforcement of wildlife laws, developing procedures for determining closed seasons for species, stakeholder engagement and public education.

Ms. Strong noted that while the policy has not yet been finalized, certain aspects of it is being implemented in the interim.

"So far we have prepared a toolkit for one of our major stakeholders, the Customs Agency – which will assist them in minimizing the illegal import and export of wildlife through our ports. We are also building the capacity of our Game Wardens and we have engaged in public education activities at the community level," Strong said.

The Wildlife Trade Policy was one of the major talking points during the Agency's celebration of National Environmental Awareness Week, which is being commemorated June 1-5 under the theme ‘Illegal Trade in Wildlife: Let Us Stamp It Out”. The celebrations began on Friday, June 3 at the Agency's Head Office at 11 Caledonia Avenue and continued with a church service on Sunday, June 5 at the Bethel Baptist Church in observation of World Environment Day; beach clean-up activity along Palisadoes on World Ocean Day, June 8 and an Ambient Air Quality Data Validation Workshop, June 6-10.

Peter Knight, Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment and Planning Agency addresses the opening ceremony of the Open Day and Environmental Fair on June 3, 2016 at the Agency’s Head Office at 11 Caledonia Avenue.

Franklin McDonald, OD, former Chief Executive Officer of NEPA delivers his address at the opening ceremony of NEPA’s Open Day & Environmental Fair. Mr. McDonald was the guest speaker at the event.

Chanel Raynor (left) , Environmental Officer engages students from Trafalgar Christian Preparatory School and West Wood High School who attended the National Environment and Planning Agency’s Open Day and Environmental Fair at NEPA’s Head Office at 11 Caledonia Avenue in Kingston on June 3. The Open Day and Environmental Fair was one of the activities to mark National Environmental Awareness Week.

Students from Alpha Infant Primary School and their teacher, Christine Simpson-Henry pose for the camera. Alpha Infant Primary School was one of the schools that mounted a display at the National Environment and Planning Agency’s Open Day and Environmental Fair on Friday, June 3 at NEPA’s head office in Kingston. Alpha mounted a display entitle “Gully Care” where they engaged patrons at the Fair of the importance of proper waste management.