I've seen articles in the past about oil/gas exploration off the coast of JA in the past and haven't paid much attention.

This article gives me pause:

Upcoming Exploration Phase A Make Or Break Moment For Jamaica's Oil Hopes

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120330/business/business6.html

Who knows if they will actually explore the Walton Basin and Westmoreland Trough, if they'll find anything, and what changes would take place. Points can be made on both the benefits and downsides of such industries (to the economy, environment, etc.)

I will say however, having first hand experience of the vast changes brought to the Southern LA coast by said industries, if it is anything like that to come...enjoy south coast while you can.

I have (some place) on file either at work or here a map of all of the off-shore Jamaica claims to the underwater area. I will try and find it -- I know I saved it because it completely AMAZED me when I reviewed it. There is quite a bit of activity far out west end, like by West Ender. And many oil companies / different companies too..
Some of you might realize the fracking / underwater / explorations for oil/ activities in Haiti prior to their HUGE earthquake. People in the state of Missouri (or is it Minnesota?) have had their governor stop fracking because of the unusual earthquake activity. We have LOTS of fracking going on in the northeast, LOTS of stories "quelled" with many homes with their own wells being contaminated and becoming totally useless as far as being a water provider for our homes.

Fracking is a huge issue in certain communities in upstate New York and Eastern Pennsylvania where apparently there are huge reserves of natural gas. Property owners in these often depressed communities are eager to sell their land/gas rights to the oil companies who take advantage of their plights. It is singly the most dangerous way of extracting natural gas from the ground and has contaminated many a community's water supply in those areas as well as in Colorado. There's an awesome movie about it that a resident of one of those Pennsylvania communities made and HBO aired a couple of years ago. Dang if I can remember the name - anyone?

"gasland"
to/for whom has not seen it........

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xhfvhy_gasland_news-

just watch this documentary

Oil Drilling To Begin In St Bess

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120601/news/news9.html