The Beach Control Act of 1956 is a Jamaican law enacted during the colonial period that placed ownership of all foreshore and seabed areas under the British Crown. Its primary purpose was to regulate coastal development and the use of Jamaica’s shoreline. However, the law has long been criticized for restricting public access and favoring private interests, including tourism developers and luxury resorts.
Although Jamaica gained independence in 1962, the Act remains in force today. It is currently administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Authority.
Key Features of the 1956 Beach Control Act
Crown Ownership
The Act vests ownership of the foreshore—the area between the high and low tide marks—and the sea floor in the Crown (now the Government of Jamaica). This centralizes control over coastal lands under state authority.
Public Access Restrictions
The legislation makes clear that there is no automatic public right to access beaches, particularly if access requires crossing private property. In practice, this has limited local access in areas dominated by resort developments.
Licensing and Regulation
Anyone seeking to use the foreshore or seabed for commercial purposes—or in certain cases for organized public activities—must obtain a government-issued license. This framework was designed to regulate coastal use but has also enabled selective control over access.
Protection of Traditional Fishing Rights
The Act preserved customary fishing rights that existed before June 1, 1956, ensuring that longstanding fishing communities could continue traditional practices.
View the link below to see the 1956 Beach Control Act file.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m49L57EZILJ9RZgoIenvfHqKjXiJAJ8c/view?usp=sharing
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)