The Owner of Jamaica Beaches...

[TDowl]

Who owns Jamaica beaches...It's the Queen of England who owns Jamaica's beaches. According to the 1956 Beach Control Act, "All rights in and over the foreshore of this island and the floor of the sea are hereby declared to be vested in the Crown." But even that outdated act does acknowledge the fact that the rights of the public have to be protected against selfish private-sector interests.


What is needed is a radical revision of the 1956 Beach Control Act. No private individual should be allowed to lease a beach and exclude members of the public who can't afford exorbitant entry fees. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises the right to leisure. In Jamaica, that must include the right to enjoy a day at the beach.

- Carolyn Cooper, PhD, is a specialist on culture and development. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and karokupa@gmail.com.

[Bricktop]

where is the government of jamaica going to get the tens of millions of USD required to properly maintain 30 beach parks per year? this is what carolyn cooper is mad about..guardsman leased the former $h!thole that is puerto seco beach & turned it into a world class beach park...entrance fee is $1000/adults & $500/kids...you get beach access a swimming pool...a mini zoo...& a waterpark...residents of the area receive a 40% discount on admission...the beach park is employing 80 people from the community