US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON1274

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001274 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE; INFO WHA/PDA MJOHNSON; APRUITT; 
RBANKS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OIIP, KPAO, JM 
SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speaker for World Oceans Day/World 
Environment Day on Coral Reef Preservation 
 
1.  SUMMARY: Post seeks a DVC speaker to discuss the issue 
of coral reef conservation for a program around the date of 
World Oceans Day, June 8, 2005.  This would also tie in with 
celebrations of World Environment Day, June 5, 2005. END 
SUMMARY 
 
2.  Proposed Program Date: Preferred dates June 8 to 10, 
2005. 
 
3.  MPP Theme: Strategic Goal "Social and Environment 
Issues" 
 
4. Purpose of the Program: Post seeks a speaker to 
participate in discussions focusing on coral reef 
preservation, especially in the Caribbean region; with a 
particular focus on how land-based activities affect the 
health of coral reefs. 
 
Coral reefs in Jamaica and across the Caribbean are under 
constant pressure from human activities.  Poor land 
management practices, such as the use of agricultural 
fertilizers, inadequate disposal of solid waste and 
pollution of the water table, are affecting Jamaica's reefs. 
Over-fishing and "dynamite fishing" are also major local 
concerns that actually encourage the growth of algae, which 
smother corals. 
 
The health of coral reefs is vital to the region's fragile 
tourism industry and to its economy.  Jamaica depends on its 
"sun, sea and sand" image to attract the tourists who bring 
much-needed foreign exchange.  Stakeholders in the tourism 
industry - hotel owners, dive boat operators, craft vendors 
- all depend either directly or indirectly on the coral 
reef, besides fishermen themselves. 
 
The purpose of the program is to heighten awareness of the 
impact of environmental degradation on a vital component of 
Jamaica's economy, and to help them understand the role that 
they can play in protecting their precious natural 
resources. 
 
Post will arrange a "pre-DVC" session to include short 
presentations on the topic from local environmentalists and 
USAID representatives.  This will pave the way for a 
fruitful discussion with our guest in the United States. 
 
5.  Audience: Representatives of NGOs and CBOs, especially 
those working in the environmental field; public sector 
representatives of GOJ environmental agencies; 
representatives of the tourism industry, including those 
working on "green tourism" programs; students who are 
members of school environmental clubs; members of the media. 
 
6.  Proposed topics and nature of events: A digital video 
conference with the audience in the U.S. Embassy's Public 
Affairs Auditorium (maximum 50).  Suggested length of 
program: 90 minutes. 
 
7. Type of specialist required: A spokesperson from a USG 
agency such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), which administers the Coral Gardens 
Initiative under the White Water to Blue Water program with 
Counterpart International, as well as its own Coral Reef 
Conservation Program; or a research institution such as the 
Florida Marine Research Institute, Earthwatch Institute or 
the Coral Reef Alliance.  The speaker should not be too 
highly "technical" and should be able to explain the issue 
in layman's terms. 
 
8.  Language: English. 
 
9.  Funding specifics: I Bucks. 
 
10. Post program officer: Glenn Guimond, PAO; tel: (876) 935- 
6053; fax: (876) 929-3637; email:guimondg@state.gov.  Back- 
up program officer: Emma Lewis, PAA, tel: (876) 935-6009; 
fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewisec@state.gov. 
 
Regards, 
 
Tighe