Campaigners in Jamaica are heading to court to challenge the privatization of the country’s coastline and the government’s restriction of beach access. The legal battle, led by the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (Jabbem), involves five court cases beginning later this month. These cases target the privatization of Mammee Bay and Little Dunn’s River in St Ann, the Blue Lagoon in Portland, Bob Marley beach in St Andrew, and Flankers/Providence beach in Montego Bay. Jabbem argues that the 1956 Beach Control Act, which grants the state ownership of the foreshore and seabed, facilitates a “plantation tourism” model that benefits private investors and elites while depriving locals of livelihoods and resources. Activists claim the law, which dates back to the colonial era, forces residents to fight for access to spaces they consider their birthright. They are seeking “free, legal, unfettered, forever rights” rather than “qualified rights” that could be restricted by developer licenses or fees. The government, represented by Minister of Environment and Climate Change Matthew Samuda, maintains that the state must consider how to convert natural assets into economic benefits for all citizens. Samuda noted that while the “idea of access needs to be explored,” the government must balance this with the tourism sector, which employs between 112,000 and 116,000 people and benefits up to 350,000 others. He stated that recent approvals for new developments have required developers to carve out corridors to the sea. Campaigners also expressed concern over the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (Narra) Act passed in March. They argue the act weakens the 1882 Prescription Act, which protects public access routes used for at least 20 years, by concentrating power in the office of the prime minister and reducing transparency. While the shadow environment minister, Omar Newell, agreed that successive administrations have presided over beach privatization, Samuda defended the Narra Act as a necessary tool for urgent, large-scale procurement to build resilience against storms.