Protecting Jamaica's Fishing Banks: Pedro Bank's First Female Warden

Cedella Harvey grew up on mainland Jamaica, but decided to leave poverty behind in hopes of providing a better life for her five children. She traveled to Pedro Bank, a set of remote cays 50 miles off the coast of Jamaica, that have no food, running water, or sanitation. In this difficult outpost she joined the fishing community, and four years later, under the Caribbean Marine Biodiversity Program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by The Nature Conservancy, she was chosen to become the first female warden on Pedro Bank, joining a team protecting one of Jamaica’s most important fishing grounds.

In a fishing community made up almost entirely of men, Cedella stands out, and her outgoing personality helps her to reach the fishers, and teach them to fish responsibly and respect the rules of the fish sanctuary.

“The benefit of the sanctuary is for our children,” said Cedella. “If we didn’t have it, most of the fish population would have died out. I tell my children: ‘I take care of the birds, turtles and sanctuary to make sure that in your lifetime – if you should decide to fish – there will still be fish left for you.’"

Видео Protecting Jamaica's Fishing Banks: Pedro Bank's First Female Warden канала The Nature Conservancy