Jamaica’s Goat Islands Saved!

Photo: Jeremy Francis

We are thrilled to share great news from Jamaica – the Goat Islands are saved!

A plan for a trans-shipment port and logistics hub in the Portland Bight Protected Area near Jamaica’s Goat Islands has been canceled because of the threat of serious environmental damage.

ELAW partners at Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) worked tirelessly on a three-year campaign to Save the Goat Islands.  The Portland Bight Protected Area is home to coral reefs, mangroves, and sea grass beds.  The proposed port would have likely disturbed marine life in a large portion of the protected area.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister announced on Twitter last Thursday that the government would not allow the proposed port at the Goat Islands.

JET’s CEO Diana McCaulay writes, “We had much help and support from international partners, including ELAW, and I would like to thank everyone for that.”

ELAW’s legal team helped JET defend Jamaican’s right to information about the proposed project and helped evaluate laws protecting citizens and the environment.

Congratulations to JET on this huge victory!

For more information, see:

Fate of Jamaica’s Goat Islands
JET Welcomes News About Goat Island Hub
Environment Trust Happy Goat Islands Spared Gov’t’s Transshipment Plans
Gov’t Scraps Goat Island Project

Bern Johnson
Executive Director

For more information about ELAW’s work in Jamaica and around the world, please contact:

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide
maggie@elaw.org

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