Report warns offshore oil exploration could threaten Jamaica’s marine ecosystems

A new report by environmental research group Earth Insight is raising concerns that offshore oil and gas exploration in Jamaica’s Walton-Morant block could pose significant risks to some of the country’s most ecologically important marine habitats.

The report, Fossil Fuel Threats to the Ocean: Marine Life and Coastal Communities at Risk, was produced in collaboration with the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and a coalition of international civil society organizations. It examines the potential environmental impact of proposed exploration activity in the offshore block.

According to the findings, the Walton-Morant area overlaps with critical ecosystems that support Jamaica’s biodiversity, fisheries, tourism sector and coastal communities. Geospatial analysis cited in the report suggests the exploration zone intersects with nearly all of Jamaica’s coral reefs, seagrass beds and key fishing grounds along the south coast.

Researchers identified the Walton-Morant block as the country’s most promising hydrocarbon prospect. While exploration remains in its early stages, the report estimates that the mapped risk zone overlaps with about 11,070 square kilometers of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs), roughly comparable in size to Jamaica itself.

The analysis also notes that Jamaica’s Exclusive Economic Zone contains approximately 60,159 square kilometers of EBSAs, meaning nearly 18 percent of the country’s most environmentally sensitive marine habitats could be exposed to potential future oil and gas development linked to the project.

“Jamaica’s marine ecosystems are already under pressure from climate change, pollution and overfishing,” said Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie.

She cautioned that even early-stage exploration could lead to broader extraction activity in environmentally sensitive waters, urging a shift toward conservation and sustainable alternatives.

“Instead of pushing for oil and gas expansion, we must focus on protecting our oceans and investing in healthy ecosystems, resilient communities and sustainable livelihoods,” she said.

Among the report’s most significant findings is that the risk zones overlap with approximately 99 percent of Jamaica’s south coast coral reefs and 97 percent of its seagrass habitats. Environmental advocates say disruption to these ecosystems could have serious consequences for marine biodiversity, fisheries, tourism and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The report was released ahead of World Oceans Day on June 8 and the Our Ocean Conference scheduled for June 16–18 in Mombasa, Kenya.

It calls for stronger consideration of environmental risks in offshore energy planning and urges policymakers to prioritize ocean conservation and sustainable economic development as Jamaica evaluates its energy future.