Policy for the National System of Protected Areas.

The National System of Protected Areas aims to preserve natural habitat and ecosystems. Examples of Jamaica’s Resources and Areas Requiring Protection: Natural Forests; Coral Reefs; Coastal habitats, including mangroves, estuaries, beaches, cliffs, cays, seagrass beds; Wetlands and wildlife habitats; Other critical habitats of indigenous animals, including such rare, endangered and unusual animal species, preservation of national heritage, tourism and traditional uses; Scenic or recreation areas based on natural and scenic attractions; Cultural heritage sites, including historical sites; Economic Resources containing important productive resources and needing careful environmental management to ensure sustainable productivity.
The institutional framework requires an efficient partnership among the various agencies and groups with interests in the protected area system, building on the existing responsibilities and strengths of each, clearly defining roles and lines of communication, and avoiding duplication of effort. The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) is the lead agency with responsibility for the protected area system, ensuring that all protected areas meet their various objectives to the greatest extent feasible, and assuring or improving the quality and appropriate use of public resources and facilities within protected areas. The various types of protected areas in Jamaica should, individually and as part of a comprehensive system, contribute to achieving common environmental, economic, cultural and social goals. The system should be an essential tool for environmental protection, conserving essential resources for sustainable use, helping to expand and diversify economic development, etc.
Goal 1 Economic Development aims to: Improve and sustain the livelihoods of individuals and local communities by increasing their earning capacity; Protect the supply and quality of basic natural resources that support most economic activity including water, air and the productive land base; Promote environmentally sound land management and research into production and harvesting practices; Use the opportunities presented by the protected areas system to research improved methods of sustainable resource use; Ensure that the protected area system contributes significantly to the sustainability of the critical tourism sector by protecting beaches, coastal waters, coral reefs, mountains, forests, wildlife, nature interpretation and cultural opportunities, and internationally - recognized protected areas.
Goal 2 Environmental Conservation aims to: Preserve major representative stocks or areas of all of Jamaica's biological resources, including populations of indigenous animal and plant species, natural communities and ecosystems; Preserve major or representative components of Jamaica's natural and cultural heritage - including wildlife, vegetation, habitats, genetic resources, landscape types, prominent natural features, historic sites and buildings, as well as treasured vistas and scenic areas - and provide for their compatible use and enjoyment by the Jamaican people and others. Goal 3 Sustainable Resource Use Protect ecological systems which provide goods and services; Goal 4 Recreation and Public Education Provide recreational and educational opportunities to improve the quality of life for all Jamaicans and visitors; Goal 5 Public Participation & Local Responsibility Promote local interest, commitment and support for protected areas; Goal 6 Financial Sustainability Achieve and maintain financial sustainability for the protected areas system.