Any opinion on the proposed breakwater project?

[Flipadelphia26]

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/2...us/focus4.html

[nutz4travel]

Based on what I've read, I think it's a huge mistake, both short and long term. The beach comes and goes, that's nature and the normal cycle of things. I'm not sure why they feel they need to mess with that... Just my opinion since you asked!

[Weathermon & Mi Lady]

Yes.

[yetta]

Based on what I've read, I think it's a huge mistake, both short and long term. The beach comes and goes, that's nature and the normal cycle of things. I'm not sure why they feel they need to mess with that... Just my opinion since you asked!

I agree. Seems that when one messes with Mother Nature....doesn't end well. Part of the reason that some islands leave the sea grass alone. Just my opinion, which doesn't mean much I know.

[kim&betty]

The type of beach erosion that negril experiences is the same process that occurs here in sw florida. It's referred to as longshore drift, a natural phenomenon that moves sand (beach) down the coast by the action of waves and the tides.
Where breakwaters will catch sand, quite a bit upshore, there will be little effect past the breakwater.
Beach renourishment has been done here in sw florida for decades, they anchor large barges off shore and pump/spray sand up onto the shoreline resulting in instant beach. It is an expensive process that will be very effective for several years, or until a big storm comes along and washes the sand back down the coast.
The real problem is that a healthy reef system is composed of living/growing coral, negrils reef system is far from healthy (due to pollution, overuse, physical destruction, etc.). Also the local fishermen keep everything they catch (no matter how ticky-ticky/little the fish are) including Parrotfish whose job it is to eat coral and poop new sand. Often the "snapper" you are being served in Negril is infact Parrotfish.
There is no simple or cheap solution to the problems of too many people in a small area.

[TAH]

The real problem is that a healthy reef system is composed of living/growing coral, negrils reef system is far from healthy (due to pollution, overuse, physical destruction, etc.). Also the local fishermen keep everything they catch (no matter how ticky-ticky/little the fish are) including Parrotfish whose job it is to eat coral and poop new sand. Often the "snapper" you are being served in Negril is infact Parrotfish.
There is no simple or cheap solution to the problems of too many people in a small area.

Ding ding ding. I was going to post the same thing, but figured people would think I'm crazy. The parrotfish are responsible for much of the sand on the beaches we play on, and admire.