Sun | May 12, 2024

Turning the tide on ocean pollution

Published:Wednesday | July 12, 2023 | 12:11 AM
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Sandals Foundation volunteer Camille Spence poses for a picture with a group of students from the Salt Spring Primary School, who were excited to showcase their winning ‘Save our Seas’ poster and prizes during an ocean conservation session at their sch
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Sandals Foundation volunteer Camille Spence poses for a picture with a group of students from the Salt Spring Primary School, who were excited to showcase their winning ‘Save our Seas’ poster and prizes during an ocean conservation session at their school.
Environmental Health & Safety Manager for Sandals Montego Bay, Haniff Richards (centre), poses with the Sandals diving team as they return to shore with the cast of underwater pollutants recovered at a recently staged Buccaneer’s Beach clean-up dive.
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Environmental Health & Safety Manager for Sandals Montego Bay, Haniff Richards (centre), poses with the Sandals diving team as they return to shore with the cast of underwater pollutants recovered at a recently staged Buccaneer’s Beach clean-up dive.
Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager Rochelle Forbes-Reid assists NSWMA steward Herman Malcolm during the clean-up effort on Old Kent Road.
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Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager Rochelle Forbes-Reid assists NSWMA steward Herman Malcolm during the clean-up effort on Old Kent Road.
Earth Guardians from Sandals Montego Bay show us a portion of the 500 pounds of waste collected from their clean-up in collaboration with the NSWMA along Old Kent Road.
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Earth Guardians from Sandals Montego Bay show us a portion of the 500 pounds of waste collected from their clean-up in collaboration with the NSWMA along Old Kent Road.
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Sandals Earth Guardians within the Montego Bay region have continued the charge against ocean pollution in tandem with global environment restoration efforts. Most recently, the Earth Guardians, accompanied by stewards from the National Solid Waste Management Agency , gathered on Old Kent Road, armed with gloves, trash bags, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Their combined efforts led to the removal of over 500 pounds of garbage from the area.

“Unfortunately, due to the road’s isolation, civilians have used the area as an illegal dumping site for old appliances, dead animals, furniture and general refuse,” said Sharnon Williams, customer relations officer at Western Parks and Markets Waste Management Limited. She added that persons have completely disregarded the harmful effects this practice has on the natural water body that is a stone’s throw away from the littered sites.

She spoke liberally about the dangers of pollution, particularly in an area such as this. “It’s a travesty to see the condition of this road, not only is it unsightly, but it is dangerous for the aquatic life in the area. It is a deterrent for tourists that pay to enjoy our water bodies, problematic for the people in the surrounding communities that depend on fishing for their livelihood, and it also acts as a breeding site for mosquitoes that may potentially spread harmful diseases.”

Environment Health & Safety Manager Haniff Richards also shared similar sentiments when speaking about the environmental concerns raised due to the pollution in the area. “We felt compelled to stage a clean-up here because we have pledged, as Earth Guardians, to uphold our company’s values on environmental sustainability.”

Richards continued, “the team and I are eager to effect positive change regarding environmental awareness, and are charged to action further beach clean-ups that can hopefully bring about a lasting impact.”

Sandals Foundation volunteers from the region also embarked on several other worthwhile initiatives that were aimed at bringing environmental awareness to the next generation, namely the ‘Save the Coral Reef’ initiative championed by Montego Bay region’s Public Relations Department. Through this initiative, 103 students from Salt Spring and Farm primary schools were educated about the dangers of coral reef degradation and ocean pollution through fun, interactive sessions.

Regional Public Relations Manager Rochelle Forbes-Reid was effusive in her praise of the members of the team and their efforts to bring about lasting change. “Each child that we teach and every piece of trash collected represent a small victory in our ongoing battle against pollution,” she said. “Therefore, our Sandals Earth Guardians and foundation volunteers will continue to navigate rugged terrains in search of human-made waste and seek out avenues to encourage environmental stewardship among students and community members.”

Sharnon Williams shared, “It is important that we abandon the flawed notion that someone else is responsible for cleaning up the mess made and simply do something about it. We are grateful for partnering with Sandals Resorts in the Montego Bay region to create positive changes through these environmental initiatives.”

“Though our work thus far is admirable, we acknowledge that we still have a way to go with our conservation efforts to forge a greener and cleaner path ahead,” echoed Forbes-Reid.