Kingston sponsors harbour clean-up

The ‘Refuge Cay Mangrove Cleanup and Restoration’ will focus on waste removal followed by the planting of mangrove seedlings, while the ‘Port Royal Cays Coral Reef Rehabilitation’ will see artificial reef structures added to the Port Royal Barrier Reef. Both projects, part of the CMA CGM subsidiary’s wider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, are expected to financially benefit Kingston Harbour fisherfolk through the potential creation of alternative livelihoods such as ecotourism and are aimed at enhancing the quality of the Kingston Harbour.

Chanelle Fingal Robinson, Ph.D, social impact specialist at KFTL, said: “The Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited’s sponsorship of these two environmental projects form part of our overall Corporate Social Responsibility efforts and reflects our commitment to ensuring that we help to preserve the very resources on which we depend.”

Rubbish build-up

Over 4,200 bags of rubbish have been collected so far as part of the Refuge Cay project, since cleaning began on 8 January. Following cleaning, mangrove seedlings will be planted and rubbish barriers installed to prevent further build up. Rubbish that gathers in the barriers will be regularly removed and disposed of.

Over 20 locals, most of whom are fisherfolk, have been contracted to clean the area. The project is intended to be a catalyst for similar initiatives.

The Port Royal project will involve the design, installation and monitoring of artificial reef structures on the Port Royal Barrier Reef. It will be implemented over a five-year period.

Both projects are being run in partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Centre for Marine Sciences and the Port Royal Marine Laboratory.