Environment minister, Robert Pickersgill says the Government will be moving swiftly to assess and address the poor sanitary and environmental conditions at Pedro Cays.

There have been recent reports of poor health and environmental practises at the Cays.

Among the issues are the absence of running water, a lack of toilet facilities and a rapidly increasing garbage dump.

Pickersgill said representatives from the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) have been sent to the Cays, so as to get a better understanding of the situation.

With an estimated 99 per cent of mainland Jamaica’s reefs in danger, the coral reefs on Pedro Bank are vital to long-term reef conservation in the country.

Pickersgill has also noted that the area is an important breeding ground for conchs and lobster.

He said the conch industry contributes about two per cent of Gross Domestic Product.

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