Beach Control Act.

This Act provides for coastal zone management in Jamaica and declares all rights in and over the foreshore of Jamaica and the floor of the sea to be vested in the Crown (sect. 3). Any person who is the owner or occupier of any land adjoining any part of the foreshore and any member of his family and any private guest of his shall be entitled to use that part of the foreshore adjoining his land for private domestic purposes, that is to say, for bathing, fishing, and other like forms of recreation and as a means of access to the sea for such purposes (sect. 4). It shall be prohibited to use the foreshore or the floor of the sea without a licence (sect. 5). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act, the Minister may, upon the recommendation of the Natural Resources Conservation Authority, make an order declaring: (a) any part of the foreshore and the floor of the sea defined in the order together with the water lying on such part of the floor of the sea to be a protected area for the purposes of this Act; and (b) such activities as may be specified in the order to be prohibited activities in the area defined in the order. Activities that may be prohibited include fishing by any means specified in the order (sect. 7). Section 24 regards compulsory acquisition of land by the Authority. The Authority has the power to grant licences, make regulations, etc. (56 sections)