'Large' CLEAN THE RIVER Protest Rally on the Bridge Today

[Nick]

There is a lot of pollutants coming from Septic Tanks and farm run off. It is evident from the algae that has bloomed throughout the Negril and Bloody Bay reefs. There are caves throughout the area, and run off into the caves, some of which are being used as septic tanks and trash dumps makes its way to the river and to the sea. Dealing with this run off and illegal dumping of trash and sewage remains a problem.
Another problem is the development of areas that once were swamps and mangroves. These areas were natural filters and nurseries for many of the fish species that frequent the reef. It is no coincidence that problems with the reef and rivers coincide with the loss of these swamps and mangroves.
A real and complete study of the Negril ecosystem along with a development moratorium needs to be done. After all, once the reef is degraded and the fish gone, so goes the beach and then Negril.

[JamericanNC]

They were protesting because the fisheries isn't doing anything about keeping the river from being blocked up by sand right at the pier/breakwater. When that happens, the fishermen are fearful to go out because they don't know if they'll be able to get back IN. When they can't go out, they can't make money. Too often, you can actually walk right across the river because it's so shallow. This is especially a problem after weather comes in.

[Chet & Coleen]

Un-science supported personal observation,,, years ago we would remark that the bridge north of the Riu's only seemed to have water in the channel under it as an overflow from the Morass during rainy times, now it seems to be a fairly wide open channel at all times, there is a boat ramp like drive on the Morass side that I have seen them launch the Para Sail boat on, it would seem to my mind that the Negril River which was the dominate outlet for water from the Morass allowing it to flush into the sea and maintain an open channel now has equal outlet to the north lessening the rivers flow and cleaning process at a time that man is placing more burden on the system, even Royal Palms water level seems below what it was 10 or 12 years ago,,,,, like I say no million dollar study just observations over a lot of years and in differant seasons