By Mishka Spence

Effective today, illegal rafters have been prohibited from operating at the White River in Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

Members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCO) visited the area earlier today to enforce the ban.

Speaking with IRIE FM News, one of the rafters said the ban comes at a bad time, as February is known as rafting season when many tourists visit the area.

He expressed that rafting is what keeps him alive and that it is hard to find another source of income.

Earlier this week, TPDCO told IRIE FM News that its decision to seek the intervention of the police in a bid to end illegal rafting at the river is not an attempt to adversely impact people’s source of income.

The police maintain that the rafters had from 2023 to become registered.

The police are urging illegal rafters to make the necessary arrangements with White River Calypso Rafting and Tubing, which is the only licensed entity to operate on the river.

In the meantime, People’s National Party (PNP) Caretaker for North East St. Ann, Dr. Ryan Simpson is urging the authorities to reconsider the ban as it will significantly affect rafters’ livelihoods.