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Camilo Trench weighs in on the pandemic, pollution and cleaner waters

The polluted Kingston Harbour has appeared much clearer in recent weeks, with some marine scientists suggesting that the economic malaise brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic is possibly a contributing factor.

The environmental anomaly garnered varying theories when the Jamaica Observer visited Greenwich Farm and Rae Town fishing beaches last week where fisherfolk attributed the visible changes in the water quality to heavy winds.

“Di breeze wash all di rubbish back pon di beach. That's why is look so clean,” said Neville McKenzie, a 40-year sea veteran at Rae Town fishing beach.

Paul Morris, a regular swimmer and fisherman at Kingston's waterfront, said he too noticed that the water in the harbour was unusually clear, offering no hypothesis except to say he welcomed the positive change. “Di water clear clear today man. Yuh can see di bottom,” he said.

The reports of a cleaner harbour were corroborated by a marine scientists who spoke with the Sunday Observer last week.

Camilo Trench, chief science officer at The University of the West Indies' Centre of Marine Sciences, said it was not unusual for the harbour to be less polluted during times of drought, but argued that the pandemic could also be a factor in the scenic change on Kingston's shoreline.

“This usually happens when we don't have as much rainfall and there is not a lot of garbage being washed from the gullies into the harbour,” said Trench. “We know that the Kingston Harbour is highly polluted and this is because there are several gullies that empty into the harbour. It is not unusual to see clearer waters when the time is dry,” he said.

 

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Published on 25 May, 2020

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