The beach has a very strong historical significance in islands with a history of slavery and colonialism. It is there that the coloniser, the slave and the indentured first encountered the land that was to become their home. And it is also there that dreams of escape often terminated, or visions of a fresh start in a new land took concrete form.

It is there, also, that one of the few avenues of self-sufficient commerce open to the peasant class intersects with the purchasing public, as the catch culled from the sea in one of the more hazardous professions is sold.

So, in this context, the attachment of the fishermen and fisherfolk plying their trade from, and on, Old Harbour Bay to what they see as 'their' beach, is understandable. For while they see the call to close the St Catherine facility for health purposes as just threatening their livelihood, we also understand the deeper implications for their treasured independence.

However, as was reported in yesterday's publication in a story where Dr Raymoth Notice supported calls to close the beach, the conditions there are appalling and no emotional commitment can substitute for a huge, sustained clean-up effort.

As the story read, "on a recent visit to the facility, The Gleaner news team found informal settlements, huge piles of garbage and blatant abuse of the environment. Food, flies, garbage and other refuse competed with the fisherfolk for space."

Clean-up has to be done

The opinion of those fisherfolk is summarised by one fisherman, who said "they can't close the beach. Fishermen have no choice, this is people's breadbasket. The beach needs to be cleaned, but we need a truck to be sent down every evening to take away the waste because the two skips can't hold it."

So, therein lies the rub. It is acknowledged that a comprehensive clean-up has to be done but there is an unwillingness to close the facility while it is in progress.

Obviously, the business of scaling and gutting fish cannot be conducted while huge piles of garbage are being loaded on to trucks. An already dangerous situation would instantly become worse. And, let us not forget that fish from Old Harbour Bay goes all over the country.

Sanitary facilities

So, it is up to the authorities to show the will to do what needs to be done, to close the Old Harbour Bay facility, have it thoroughly cleansed and implement a programme for sustaining it in a sanitary state. And that includes putting in toilets.

The sooner it is done the better it will be for all concerned, including those who do not wish to see their livelihood interrupted. Another hurricane season is fast approaching and, with it, the distinct possibility of bad weather that will exacerbate the situation.

Good health and good sense must prevail. After all, a livelihood may be made at Old Harbour Bay, but life is not a beach.