A report released on June 8, 2026, warns that offshore oil and gas exploration in Jamaica’s Walton-Morant block threatens key marine ecosystems across the Caribbean, including areas near regional neighbours such as the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Environmental research organisation Earth Insight produced the study alongside the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) and 10 other civil society groups. Their geospatial analysis found the exploration zone intersects with approximately 99 per cent of Jamaica’s south coast coral reefs and 97 per cent of its seagrass habitats. The project's mapped risk area covers roughly 11,070 square kilometres of ecologically significant marine waters, representing nearly 18 per cent of Jamaica’s most vital marine habitats. JET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Theresa Rodriguez-Moodie warned that Jamaica's waters face strain from climate change, pollution and overfishing, urging officials to protect ocean resources.
The authors published the findings ahead of the Our Ocean Conference, scheduled for June 16–18, 2026, in Mombasa, Kenya. The report calls on policymakers to prioritise ocean conservation and alternative energy models over offshore fossil fuel projects.