Major mangrove clean-up plan for Kingston Harbour on Saturday

Over 1,500 volunteers are expected to participate in this Saturday's Great Mangrove Clean-up along Kingston Harbour.

The initiative is being organised by the Kingston Harbour Clean-up Project (KHCP), in collaboration with the GraceKennedy Foundation, the Ocean Clean-up and Clean Harbours Jamaica. Speaking at the media launch, Senator Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, said the Kingston Harbour, the seventh largest natural harbour in the world, hasn't been healthy for a long time.

"And [that] reality is bringing everyone together in the way that this Great Mangrove Clean-up does. This is exactly what is required if we're going to undo about a century of what shouldn't have been done," said Samuda.

Samuda encouraged Jamaicans to participate in the initiative, as mangroves across Jamaica provide US$33 million of protection. He said mangroves are a "positive, nature-based solution that buys us time, that keeps us stable and it de-risks several billions of dollars of investments".

Caroline Mahfood, CEO of the GraceKennedy Foundation, said the planning of the initiative was steered by the KHCP, which solicited the support of several corporate entities. The KHCP, in partnership with the GraceKennedy Foundation, will also lead a clean-up at Gun Boat Beach and Buccaneer Beach.

According to Mahfood, it is critical for Jamaicans to turn the tide against pollution and support practices that will maintain the ecological health of the Kingston Harbour.

"This is just the beginning. The next event that we intend to launch is a trash tournament, which will target our fishermen, our boat and yacht owners, to clean up areas more accessible by sea," said Mahfood.

Saturday's clean-up will commence at 6:30 a.m.