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Script

(Music Intro for News)


Anchorman:

Good afternoon. Thanks for tuning in to the Envi News, Jamaica. I am Sonjay
Lewis. Todays stories include the impact of tourism on our marine environment;
what are the effects, are they good or bad, are we doing anything to mitigate these
effects and what can we do as citizens? Later we will be speaking with Shanelle
Dawkins and Camilio Trench, marine biologists who will be shedding some light
on the current situation in Jamaica. For Sports, Ill handover to Miguel Manning.
What do you have for us today Miguel?

Miguel:

Today we will discuss how some our favourite sea sporting activities affect the
marine environment without us even realizing it.

Sonjay:

Very interesting. Thank you Miguel. Shevelle, what is on the horizon in the
weather?

Shevelle:

Well Sonjay, it seems that Jamaica is due for a strong hurricane. We will discuss
the impact this will have on our marine environment and how tourism plays a part
in it.

Sonjay:

Ok. (Looks at the viewers) We sent a team into the streets to ask you, our viewers,
what are some of the ways in which tourism impacts our marine environment. Lets
take a look.

(Shows voxpop video)


Sonjay:

Welcome Ms. Dawkins. Could you explain to us what is meant by the term marine
environment?

Shanelle:

Marine means of or pertaining to the sea. So the marine environment is the area
in and around the sea.

Sonjay:

Is our marine environment important?

Shanelle:

Yes. Very important.

Sonjay:

Why is this so?

Shanelle:

Jamaicas marine environment is very important to us as it provides us with various


means to make a living, for example fishing. It benefits our economy by attracting
tourists to the sun, sea and sand experience, and if we lose much of the ecosystems
present in the marine environment there would be quite a disastrous effect on the
country.

Sonjay:

You mentioned some ecosystems. Please elaborate. What types of ecosystems are
found in Jamaicas marine environment?

Shanelle:

Jamaican waters are home to three very important marine ecosystems; the
mangrove forests, seagrass beds and the coral reefs. They are dependent on each
other and have a kind of symbiotic relationship. Mangroves filter nutrients and
sedimentation from land-based runoff hence improving water quality before
reaching seagrass. The seagrass further filters nutrients and sedimentation before
discharge unto reefs resulting in improved water quality. The reefs act like a buffer
to dissipate wave energy before reaching seagrass beds and mangroves, thereby
maintaining the integrity of the coastline. These ecosystems are home to a variety
of species including endangered species, and act as a nursery where fish can come
to lay their eggs and grow. This step is vital for some species which only come into
these areas to lay and return to the reefs. The small fish will remain there for shelter
against predators until they are large enough to venture out to the reefs.

Sonjay:

How does tourism impact these ecosystems?

Shanelle:

One major way is through tourism and real estate development. Construction along
the coast often requires removal of coastal vegetation such as mangrove forests
which are home to a large variety of marine organisms. The mangroves may
obstruct the view of the sea from the establishments and thus are removed.
Construction often produces waste material that is left exposed to wind and water,
and when eroded makes its way to the sea. Without the mangroves to filter this
runoff, the seagrass and coral reefs are left in polluted and heavily sedimented water
which is not suitable for them to thrive in as they need sunlight to undergo
photosynthesis. In growing tourism areas around the country, there is an increase
in waste generation and pollution due to the high density population. The waste
may be nutrient-rich and dissolved, or may be materials that are bulky and
persistent in the environment. When it reaches the seagrasses and reefs, it promotes
the growth of algae which block sunlight from reaching the coral, as well as it may
choke or suffocate the corals. The impacts from loss of these marine ecosystems
are great as it can in turn affect our tourism industry, and so it unsustainable. It may
cause loss of many species which provide food for the industry and a livelihood for
the fisherfolk. There are endangered species living in our marine environments such
as the parrot fish, sea trutles and manatees.

Sonjay:

Are there any laws in place to mitigate these impacts that tourism has on the marine
environment? Lets ask Marine Biologist from the Discovery Bay Marine Lab,
Camilio Trench.

(Shows video with Camilio Trench)


Sonjay:

Is there anything that you would like to add Ms. Dawkins?

Shanelle:

There is the Beach Control Act which stipulates that coastal development must be
set back at least 46 metres from the high water mark. Jamaica has also acceded to
treaties such as the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by dumping
of Wastes and other matter (1991), the International Convention on the Prevention
2

of Pollution from Ships (1973), the Convention on Biological Diversity (1992) and
the Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine environment of
the Wider Caribbean Region. This shows the Governments commitment to adopt
administrative policies and legal mechanisms to implement these agreements in an
aim to promote sustainable development at the national level.
Sonjay:

In Entertainment, a popular dancehall DJ Konshens got married over the weekend


and rented a boat for the ceremony on the North Coast. It is alleged that the boat hit
a reef and overturned. Many artistes who were guests at the party fell into the water.
At the time of rescue, it is reported that the first words from one of the artistes
were (Plays video of Beenie Man singing Im ok). We have seen an increase
in the amount of party boats being deployed along the coast. With this, there has
been an increase in the amount of fuel being released in to the marine waters by the
boats. This can poison the marine ecosystems when concentrated. The boats
anchors and propellers damage the reefs and seagrass beds when they stop or pass
over them. The dredging of the seafloor to make way for the boats and to widen the
docks to accommodate more boats has caused loss of valuable seagrass beds. The
loss in Negril may be worth millions. Now for a look at Sports. Miguel

Miguel:

SCUBA diving is a popular sport among tourists. It contributes to our revenue from
the tourism industry. However, it provides an opportunity for damage to our reefs.
Tourists may stand on the reefs or break off a piece of coral to keep as a souvenir
thus causing damage to the reefs. Surfing can cause damage when surfboards are
left at sea after crashes and wipe-outs. Spear fishing as a sport is common and the
powerful spear guns used damage the reefs as well. The boats that take divers out
to the reefs sometimes drop anchor on the reefs and this causes major damage as
well. Over time this may have disastrous effects on the reefs and ultimately the
coastline as the reefs provide mitigation for beach erosion.

Sonjay:

What can we do to mitigate the impacts that tourism has on the marine
environment?

Shanelle:

We can all play a part in mitigating or alleviating the impacts on Jamaicas marine
environment due to tourism; by educating ourselves and others on the value of our
marine ecosystems and supporting efforts by the organizations who are trying to
reduce the impacts. Discovery Bay Marine Lab and similar organizations around
the country are implementing strategies such as setting up artificial reefs to
encourage the growth of coral polyps to rebuild damaged areas, and growing and
transplanting mangrove plants along the coastline. We can practice reforestation
and afforestation onshore where there is major soil erosion and insufficient foliage.
Seagrass beds can be replanted in areas where they have been uprooted or
destroyed.

Sonjay:

Lets go to Shevelle for the weather. Shevelle

Shevelle:

Thank you. A Category 3 hurricane is approaching Jamaica and this may affect us
very severely. It is expected that the tourist areas will be greatly affected due to the
major removal of mangrove forests occurring over the past few years to make way
for hotels, resorts, restaurants and other tourist attractions. The damage to the coral
reefs is expected to decrease the ability of the reef to mitigate the effects of storm
surges and strong waves from the imminent hurricane and others to come. The
seagrass which acts to slow down the flow of water towards land will be unable to
reduce the amount of damage that the waves may cause due to major loss and
removal. Major beach erosion and flooding is expected in these tourist areas. Flood
warnings are in effect for Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Negril.

Sonjay:

With that, we have come to the end of todays Envi News broadcast. Any last words
for our viewers Ms. Dawkins?

Shanelle:

We depend on these ecosystems to sustain our way of life as they depend on us to


protect and conserve them for continued sustainability. Continued destruction of
mangroves, seagrass and coral reefs to facilitate development will see a decline in
biodiversity, and an increase in coastal erosion and storm impacts. It is therefore
important that we protect and conserve what is left of these threatened ecosystems
to ensure continued health and sustainability of our coastline and marine resources.

Sonjay:

Thank you for coming on our show Ms. Dawkins, (turns to audience), and thank
you for watching.

(Music)

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