In consultation with key Government of Jamaica agencies, the National Environment and Planning Agency prepared a Position Paper to make recommendations for areas identified as ecologically sensitive/fragile ecosystems that require immediate protection. The fifteen (15) identified ecologically sensitive areas are characterised as having critical ecological features which cannot be easily replaced and where changes may negatively affect rare and threatened species, ecosystem services, livelihoods and the quality of life. These sites are also currently under threat from development pressure or have been identified as being at risk to these pressures in the near future. The protection offered to these areas will contribute to the further strengthening of the natural resilience of the country and provide for the sustainable use of Jamaica's natural resources in support of national economic objectives. A number of these areas were previously identified for protection in the National Ecological Gap Assessment Report (NEGAR) 2009 and the Policy for Jamaica’s System of Protected Areas (1996) or zoned as conservation areas in the Parish Development Orders. The Forestry Department, the Urban Development Corporation and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust were engaged and consulted as part of this process.