TRELAWNY, Jamaica — A Trelawny businessman and a contractor employed to him have been fined $150,000 each for breaches of the Beach Control Act, when they appeared before the Trelawny Parish Court last Wednesday.

Businessman Rashidi Williams and contractor Orville Webb both pleaded guilty to encroaching on the foreshore and floor of the sea by undertaking dredging and reclamation works respectively without a beach licence from the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA).

The conviction was secured by the National Environment and Planning Agency with support from the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

Manager of NEPA’s Legal Services Branch, Deborah Lee Shung who represented the NRCA during the matter, explained that there was a cumulative effect of such activities.

As such, she urged members of the public to be aware of whether such activities were permitted in order to avoid prosecution under environmental and planning laws.

Under the Beach Control Act, all encroachments on the foreshore and floor of the sea require a Beach Licence.

Individuals who contravene this provision are liable on conviction before a Parish Judge to a fine of $500,000 or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, or both.

According to NEPA, it is critical that persons adhere to these laws as flouting them can have dire consequences for human life and the environment. Dredging or reclamation of coastal resources can have dire consequences on the environment if effective mitigation measures are not in place.

Potential impacts could affect fish populations, coral resources as well as negatively affect the ecosystem services provided such as shoreline protection.

Director of NEPA’s Legal and Enforcement Division, Morjorn Wallock indicated that the agency will be undertaking more collaboration with the JCF across the island to improve compliance.  

She also shared that the agency has revamped its enforcement strategy and as such more charges are coming for breaches of the environment and planning laws.