Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that Pedro Cays will be declared a protected area this year.
He said he intends to make a submission to Cabinet in a few weeks before moving to the declaration.
The Pedro Cays is located southwest of Jamaica and consist of three sandy islands made up of coral reefs, sand, and sea grass beds.
The Prime Minister was speaking at the unveiling of the sign designating the Black River Morass in St. Elizabeth a protected area.
Prime Minister Holness says the addition of the Pedro Cays would place 30 per cent of the country’s geographical space under legislative protection within the 60th year of independence.
For his part, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Floyd Green, noted that Black River’s ecological value is being recognised and protected.
He urged the residents to preserve the protected area for the benefit of St. Elizabeth and Jamaica.
