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Photos by Richard Morais - A view of Pellew Island.

Claudia Gardner, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

The Portland Environmental Protection Association (PEPA) is calling for a biodiversity audit to be conducted on Pellew Island, in light of recent announcements that there are plans afoot to subdivide the island for villa-type developments.

Three high-end three-bedroom villas and one two-bedroom villa are to be constructed at the offshore island located adjacent to San San Beach in Port Antonio, Portland. At least two of the villas are advertised at US$2.1 million each.

According to the advertiser's website, each villa will include an individual jacuzzi and staff/laundry facilities, the design concept will be an old Jamaica/Balinese style of architecture with clinker board exteriors, thatched covered copper alloy roofs, high ceilings, wrap around verandahs, demerara windows and poured coloured concrete/wooden floors.

According to PEPA's president, Captain Johnathan Lamey, the island could possibly be home to a large number of endemic species, due to its insular position and Portland's notably high biodiversity record.

Biological diversity is the variety and variability among living organisms and the ecological complexes in which they occur.

"Islands off the coast of Jamaica are usually unique in their ecosystems in terms of flora and fauna. And so we think a species audit should be done in order to ascertain the scientific value. It could contain certain rare species and something of a great potential could be destroyed if we disturb the area," the PEPA president noted.

concerns

PEPA works with 41 groups in Portland and focuses on ecosystem protection, solid waste management, ecotourism, sanitation and sewage disposal, development and management of Port Antonio Marine Park and conservation corridor.

Captain Lamey, who is also dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), said his organisation had other concerns, including the effect of the proposed project on the health and safety of the surrounding ecosystems during and after construction. PEPA is also concerned with the safety of the proposed inhabitants of Pellew in light of the climate change phenomenon, which scientists predict will bring more frequent and furious hurricanes and other natural disasters to the Caribbean.

"The area is heavily susceptible to waves and tidal surges and people could get injured, placing a burden on the state," he said. "If it ever gets to that point where construction takes place, construction materials, for example, cement, could also spill and compromise the ecosystem, destroying coral reefs and fish."

He said he was not discouraging development, but noted it should take place along sustainable lines.

"We think that due diligence should be done to ensure that the San San Beach is not contaminated by any sewage system proposed. There are no guarantees, because it is near impossible to contain or even remove sewage generated there," he explained.

other issues

PEPA is recommending two other uses for the site: The Government of Jamaica could buy back the land as a heritage, biological or geological site. He added that there are environmental agencies, such as The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which could be approached to buy the island.

"I have already initiated discussions on the possibility to purchase the island as a nature preserve to have its own covenant so it can be preserved for posterity," he said. "It could be scientifically valuable enough. If you touch it and have it restricted, for a few people, it would not be beneficial to everyone. If it remains untouched, it could be a global product," he said.

Efforts to reach the Canadian company that has advertised the development proved futile.