Jamaican Court Blocks Beach Access Restrictions in St Ann

The Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (Jabbem) secured a court injunction in October 2026 that prevents the Jamaican government from restricting public access to Little Dunn’s River in St Ann. The legal victory is part of a larger campaign to abolish the 1956 Beach Control Act, which activists argue allows the state to privatize coastlines for luxury hotels and treats citizens as second-class citizens.

Environment Minister Matthew Samuda defended the restrictions as structured management required to protect tourism investments and prevent crime, specifically citing a murder as the reason for the closure of Little Dunn’s River. While Prime Minister Andrew Holness proposed a new beach access and management policy in March 2026, activists maintain the proposal fails to address fundamental access issues.

To draw attention to the cause, Australian human rights lawyer Eva Buzo completed an 11-hour marathon swim to One Man Beach in Montego Bay on October 26, 2026.