Safety

Thankfully, Jamaica's South Coast is a welcome respite from the hustling that goes on in virtually every other area of the island that participates in the tourism industry. The most important dangers and annoyances in the region are accordingly more nature-oriented than human-related. Beaches along the South Coast are commonly deserted, and swimming alone is therefore not the safest activity, especially in Treasure Beach, where every year the list of drowned anglers seems to grow. The current and undertow in all the bays of Treasure Beach can be quite dangerous, and it's wise to ask the locals about conditions before getting too comfortable in the water.

Also related to the sea, there are times when jackfish contains high levels of toxins. It is better to avoid this fish altogether to be safe. Lobster is widely available on the South Coast and is the specialty at Little Ochie restaurant. Nevertheless, spiny lobster has a designated closed season (Apr.\June), established to protect the species from over-harvesting. The ban on lobster fishing during this time should be acknowledged and supported first and foremost by visitors to discourage any potential breach of the seasonal ban by fishermen--who ultimately are more prone to respond to the market rather than government regulations. It is illegal to land lobsters smaller than 76.2 millimeters, the established minimum size for a mature female.