Summary of Beach Cleanup Activities on Middle Cay, Pedro Bank September 21 25, 2012 Background/Introduction The Pedro Cays have been used for commercial reasons since around the 1940 s. These activities have included the harvesting of seabird guano, seabird eggs, sea turtles and their eggs and, more recently, fishing. Jamaican and overseas fishers have used the 3 Pedro Cays as a base for fishing activities since the 1950 s. Today, primarily Jamaicans reside on two of the Cays. The human population on the cays has fluctuated over the decades with approximately 40 70 fishers residing on North East or Top Cay throughout the year but the majority of persons residing on the smallest of the Cays, Middle Cay. In any given year, dependent on the season, the population on Middle Cay may vary from 150 persons to approximately 600. The third and largest cay, South West Cay or Bird Cay, is not inhabited by humans and is in the centre of a recently declared Protected Area. Despite the heavy usage and the high economic and historic value of the cays and Bank, nothing formal has been put in place to restrict waste getting out to the cays, for solid waste removal, and for proper disposal or treatment of human waste. Additionally, it is arguable that anything is in place to screen and restrict persons going out to the cays. The result is that solid waste has accumulated on Middle Cay over the years, resulting in the presence of an unmanaged dump in the middle of the cay that presents a number of health hazards to humans and wildlife rats, mice, roaches and flies are aplenty, garbage is periodically burnt and hazardous waste is dumped. Over the years, burning and burying have been used as the methods of managing waste. Image of the dump on Middle Cay prior to the September 2012 cleanup activity
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has co-managed the Pedro Bank Management Programme with the Government of Jamaica and other Pedro Bank stakeholders since 2005. Its work has focused on building relationships, providing infrastructure on Middle Cay to enable TNC and project partners to do conservation work out on the Bank, and planning for the future management of the resources out there. Taking the lead in solving the social issues on the cays has been a contentious topic for TNC but it has always offered to provide all the support that its budget and personnel could handle to the Government of Jamaica, as these social issues do affect conservation efforts a great deal. In August 2012, the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) approached TNC to assist in coordinating a cleanup activity on Middle Cay. The activity was to coincide with International Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15, 2012. TNC accepted JET s invitation and the two held many meetings and shared much correspondence in order to execute a cleanup activity on Middle Cay. Stakeholders involved by the end of the activity would include: Jamaica Environment Trust Jamaica Defence Force, Coast Guard (JDFCG) Jamaica Constabulary Force, Marine Police Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI) National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Health Ministry of Local Government and Community Development Impact Cliff Hughes The Jamaica Observer Wysinco Jamaica Ltd. The Nature Conservancy After much planning, 2 members of TNC staff set sail to Middle Cay on Sept 21, 2012 with the JDFCG. The plan was to rally community members to separate solid waste and consolidate the garbage dump to one section of the cay in preparation for a mass removal of the waste being planned by the government. TNC also intended to issue 10 drum type incinerators to community members that would help in the disposal of combustible waste and discuss the future separation of solid waste and reduced use of products that would result in waste. Media Visit Activities of September 21 25 were preceded by a media visit on September 12, 2012. The media visit highlighted to deplorable conditions on Middle Cay and was followed by articles in the Jamaica Observer and a show on Impact with Cliff Hughes. Diana McCaulay (JET), Honorable Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Mr. Roger Clarke, Peter Espeut (sociologist), Andre Kong (Director of Fisheries, Fisheries Division) and Llewelyn Meggs (TNC) all participated in the showing of Impact. Members of the Pedro Bank Community were embarrassed about what was brought to light and became determined to bring a
change as well as reaffirm their need for help with the many issues that threaten their health and livelihoods. Supplies used for cleanup These included shovels, pick axes, rakes, hoes, a weed whacker, wheel barrows, bags, gloves, dust masks and medical kits. Coast Guard personnel were on standby for any medical emergencies. Food and beverage were provided by JET and TNC. After the event, 10 incinerators, sponsored by TNC and built and designed by the CMI, were strategically handed out to the community to assist in the disposal of combustible waste from that moment forward. The cleanup Incinerator handed over to community member after cleanup Over 120 community members participated in cleanup activities between September 22 and 24, 2012. Activities started on September 21 with a planning meeting between TNC, Coast Guard officers, Marine Police and Pedro Cays Community members. The community members welcomed the opportunity to improve the conditions and highlighted the need for sustained efforts by all to keep the cay clean, sanitary conveniences and the need to organize themselves. Activities started with registration of all participants and the handing out of equipment and supplies that would facilitate the work. TNC explained that garbage needed to be separated and that it would also have to be consolidated so that it is not strewn over such a wide section of the cay. Paper waste and plastic bags that were blown from the main dump and lodged in bushes along the shoreline were also collected. Community members were reminded that care needed to be taken not to harm nesting masked boobies and that part of the reason why the cleanup is so critical is for the protection of the
birds and to try to restore their habitat so that they could thrive again. Activities ended at approximately 11:00 p.m. on September 24, 2012 Middle Cay community members line up at the Pedro cays Field Station door for registration during cleanup activities on September 22, 2012 Middle Cay community members separating garbage on Middle Cay during cleanup
View of Middle Cay after cleanup efforts Visit to middle Cay by politicians On September 25, 2012 a group that included the Honorable Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries, Health, and Local Government and Community Development, plus the Director of Fisheries and personnel from the Veterinary Services Division and the National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) visited Middle Cay, Pedro Bank. They came to observe the conditions on the Pedro Cays with the intention to dedicate funds for much needed improvements there. They were surprised to see the change in the solid waste and lauded the community for their passion and efforts in the cleanup. They announced the availability of funds to remove the remaining solid waste from the cay and to deal with sanitation. They also committed to carrying out a census of the cay population with the intention to screen and restrict the numbers of persons using the cays.
L. Meggs of TNC discussing cleanup activities with Honorable Ministers Clarke, Arscott, Ferguson as well as Dr. Osbil Watson (Vet Services Division) and Mr. Andre Kong (Fisheries Division) Rat baiting/control initiative As expected, rats and mice displaced by the cleanup activity took the Middle Cay community by storm soon after the cleanup. During the cleanup itself, many rats fled the dump and ran into the community into the temporary structures. TNC, after liaising with the Fisheries Division and the Kingston and St. Andrew Health Department, purchased rat bait which was handed out to community members for application on Middle Cay. Select community members were targeted for this exercise. They were briefed on how to set the bait and informed of how to issue bait to community members and in turn, brief them. Within a week community members were reporting of the drastic change in rodent sightings. TNC plans to hand out more bait periodically and switch the bait as well to avoid recognition by the pests.
Rat killed by resident on Middle Cay during September 2012 cleanup It must me noted that checks were also made with conservationists, local and abroad, to assess the likelihood of non-target species such as birds, reptiles and crustaceans being affected by the bait application. The feeling was that other species were not likely to be affected, would not take the bait, and care not to apply in areas that the non-target species are present should be taken. Additionally, it was pointed out by those conservationists who have worked for years on the Pedro Cays that there is very little biodiversity on Middle Cay and as such there is less chance of significant impacts of the application.