Welcome to the site of the British Virgin Islands Conservation Group
Spied this in the paper this weekend (BVI Beacon, May 6th, 2010)
By Reef Check Executive Director Dr. Gregor Hodgson
The Reef Check team in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) has been faithfully monitoring four reef sites per year since the inception of Reef Check in 1997. This year, Trish Baily, the energetic leader of RC BVI, invited RC International Director Dr. Gregor Hodgson to Tortola to hold meetings, give seminars, and facilitate a workshop on “Enhancing Monitoring and Management of Coral Reefs in BVI” during April 13 to 17. Trish, who captains the lovely charter yacht Serendipity and specializes in EcosailingTM adventures -- had participated with Greg in one of the first RC Training workshops in Lembongan, Bali in 2000. The goal of the BVI Workshop was to review the current status of coral reef monitoring in the BVI with interested stakeholders (government departments, private businesses, academics and other non-governmental organizations) and to identify gaps and try to fill them.
The week began with an aerial fly-over of the islands courtesy of Island Birds Air Charter. This revealed the dispersed geographic layout of the islands and their close proximity to the US Virgin Islands. Each of the 50-odd islands is circled by fringing reef. The longest reef runs along the north coast of uninhabited Anegada Island and then continues for about 1 km extending like a tail. From the air, the beaches and azure waters were gorgeous, but the highlight of the flight was a mother and calf humpback whale.
Following the fly-over, Trish and several RC BVI ‘regulars’ enjoyed a scuba dive and snorkel at nearby reefs courtesy of Johann and Belinda of Dive BVI, a top local dive company. The good news is that the coral diversity is still very high at a number of sites and the Elkhorn coral Acropora palmata is making a comeback in at least one location assisted by the long-spined black sea urchin Diadema. In the 1970s, Elkhorn coral was the primary framework builder of the inner reef flats in the Caribbean. Now on the US Endangered Species List, Elkhorn is rare throughout the Caribbean, therefore seeing a few patches of healthy Elkhorn is a significant indication of recovery.
During an evening event hosted by his Excellency the Governor, David Pearey, he noted how much he had enjoyed a recent scuba dive and pointed out the need to educate more BVI children about the ocean. One of the issues on most Caribbean Islands is that few children learn how to swim, let alone snorkel. This is a cultural issue based on stories of the dangers of the sea passed on from generation to generation. So one of the goals of the week was to identify organizations involved in youth education which might be potential partners with Reef Check to train kids how to swim, snorkel and even become certified EcoDivers.
On another day, Mark and Carole Morrissey, owners of the Serendipity, hosted a visit to areas representing historic conservation successes achieved by ARK, the non-profit umbrella group that has run RC in the BVI. Major losses were prevented during airport construction and an entire mangrove forest and associated seagrass ecosystem were saved from destruction by ARK. Mangroves are essential habitat for young fish and invertebrates that live on coral reefs as adults. At a presentation to local architects and contractors organized by Steve Fox of architectural firm OBM International, Trish’s husband David Hildred, a civil engineer, made the key point that when considering environmental impacts from construction in the Caribbean, “Prevention is the key – and contractors can often save money by proper design and careful construction.”
The Monitoring and Management Workshop hosted by the Conservation and Fisheries Department, was attended by about two dozen staff from government, NGOs, dive companies and academia. Following presentations on the current monitoring program in the islands, everyone agreed that:
- More monitoring sites were needed.
- Additional Reef Check sites would be useful
- Integrating all monitoring data into an annual monitoring report was an important goal.
- Providing information to government decision-makers in an easily digestible format was critical.
With enthusiasm and a high level of cooperation among all parties, the group listed criteria, selected and prioritized new monitoring sites and made initial decisions about what boats would be used to support each survey. In a very important step forward, Mr. Bertrand Lettsome, Chief Conservation & Fisheries Officer and Joseph Abbot-Smith, Director of the National Parks Trust agreed to sign an MOU with Reef Check BVI to lay out the new formal cooperation between the BVI Conservation and Fisheries Department and Reef Check.
The BVI, like many Caribbean islands, is seeing an increasing level of development and tourism as offshore banking shifts. The unique feature of the BVI is that it is the number one rental yacht destination in the world with about 1000 sailboats for “bareboat” (no captain) and crewed charters and more megayachts stopping by. The BVI has been a leader in developing a system of mooring buoys to reduce anchor damage, however, the pace of growth has created issues. At a Rotary Club meeting, many concerns were voiced about this issue and potential for sewage impacts from both yachts and large cruise ships.
As global warming proceeds, and tourism grows, it is important for each small island government to have a solid coral reef monitoring and management plan in place. Reef Check is pleased to offer tailor-made workshops to achieve this goal. In the case of BVI, the environmental foundation laid by Trish and colleagues with ARK and RC BVI over the past 13 years is now paying off. The level of enthusiasm and commitment to marine conservation in the territory is very strong and deep thanks to their hard work. We look forward to seeing an expansion of the BVI monitoring and management program over the next several years and improved reef health.
Reef Check would like to thank the dozens of people and organizations who supported this week-long effort.
Link to original article
Feb 19th, 2010: We received this request through our email box. If anyone has any ideas or sources can they please contact us so we can pass them along?
I have been commissioned to undertake and archaeological and heritage study of the southern part of Virgin Gorda for a site that lies in the vicinity of the current airport.
I was hoping you might be able to help me with respect to supplying any information that might be of use to my study.
Thus far, there does not appear to be any obvious sources published on archaeological excavation on Virgin Gorda although there have been studies on neighbouring islands. Dr Michael Kent produced a study of Mosquito Island and is obviously an authority on archaeology in the region. I have tried contacting Dr Kent at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College but have not yet received a reply.
If you could point me in the direction of any published histories of Virgin Gorda or any knowledge/sources of archaeology or heritage sites in the vicinity of the airport and around Taylor’s Bay and Handsome Bay I’d be most grateful.
Jan 26th...QUORUM TO FILE appeal on Beef Island judgement! VIEC has not been served yet, however, paper is attached here (part 1)
Jan 14, 2010: Letter received to the webmaster:
Dear Sirs,
knowing your efforts in controlling environmental possible disasters in the bvi territory, I would like to point out what is going on at Pockwood pond west end Tortola.
The expansion of the reclamation project in the industrial area, started a few months ago, is causing a daily fall of tons of dirt and debris into the sea . This debris are washed along the west coast and into the channel so profusely that you can see the brown streack going on for miles. And this is happening every day. Besides, during the fuel downloads from the cargo tanker who drop anchor there, leaks happens all the time. And also the barge who gets there to download cement cause the bottom of the see to be revolved over and over raising clouds of debris that again are washed along the coast line.
Not to mention the oil spills close to the pond.
It's a sistemic destruction of all kind of marine life along our coasts and maybe, as a consequence, as far as St. John.
This area was once an oasis for mangroves, what can be done to restore it getting rid at least of the quarry deposit, and replanting endemic trees on the existing reclamation project instead.
Can you raise this issue, among all the others?
Sedie
Dec 21st.
Nail Bay Director Ajit George "resigns". Although the buzz around island is much more leaning toward the "escorted to airport" scenario..
Another source. Story developing...
Dec 2, 2009
Attn: All BVI Government Officials
I am writing on behalf of my family in an effort to bring to your attention what we feel is
a discouraging trend taking place on the island of Virgin Gorda, BVI. We have been
spending our Christmas & New Years Holidays on Virgin Gorda almost every year since
the early 70’s. In that time we have witnessed the slow death of many coral reefs in the
area, mainly in Spring Bay and surrounding bays. Although the death of these natural
wonders can be attributed to various factors you cannot ignore that it is primarily due to
human presence (yacht’s anchors, contaminated run-off, increased development, etc.). It
has become clear to a majority who frequent the island year after year that the very
reason vacationers/tourists come to the island - it’s natural wonders - are no longer valued
above real estate development, to the detriment these same natural wonders. It appears
that the resort builders are short-sighted (or just plain greedy), and that it is more
important for them to make a “quick buck” than to preserve the island’s natural beauty
for future generations.
It is a known fact that it requires several decades for a coral reef to form but it can take
only a few years to destroy it. For a coral reef to form and remain healthy the natural
environment must remain in a delicate balance. All it takes is for a small part if the reef to
be damaged and the entire colony will die. Any development, silt ladened run-off from
them, or building of piers/docks will certainly destroy it.
The proposed development at Nail Bay by the VGBC is just another example of a
developer’s short-term financial gain at the expense of a coral reef off Virgin Gorda. I
have enjoyed a lot of snorkeling and diving in the BVI over the years and I know for a
fact that this is one of the last remote, healthy reefs off Virgin Gorda (if not the last that is
easily accessible). This is the reef that I nowadays will take people to see and explain to
them “This is what it used to look like in many of the other bays around the island,
Spring Bay included”. Unfortunately, the last time I saw Spring Bay’s reef alive and well
was in the mid-80’s. If the proposed development goes forward at Nail Bay, the same
thing will happen to the reef that extends all the way out to Mountain Point. Within a
few years the reef will die and then we will be telling future visitors to the island that Nail
Bay WAS the last bay on Virgin Gorda with a live reef.
I find it interesting that the Nail Bay Luxury Resort website
(http://www.nailbay.com/recreation.php) advertises with praise the natural beauty of the
surrounding coral reef while at the same time it’s owner is proposing development which
will destroy the same natural beauty being lauded! It makes no sense – for those that take
into consideration the long-term health of the island’s natural wonders and in turn the
long-term health of the island and it’s inhabitants. In my mind this proposition is a
reckless one and it seems that the Government felt it was as well when the last proposal
was rejected in 2001. What has changed since 2001?
I feel the only responsible decision the Government could make here is to reject this
proposal now and in the future. The future of the island’s natural wonders are at stake.
Please give this plea your consideration,
David M. Ford Jr
Lucy P. Ford
Dec 1st, 2009
I am writing on behalf of myself, friends and family to lodge our concern for the current plan to add a pier around the waters of Nail Bay. We spend between two and four weeks on Virgin Gorda each year for the last thirty years and, from our perspective, the project is not good for the environment or tourism in the BVI.
I was a resident and property owner of St. Thomas in the USVI prior to making the decision to spend our vacation time in Virgin Gorda. Despite our strong ties to the US islands, we now spend our time and dollars enjoying the tranquility and unspoiled BVI. Over the time I lived in St Thomas I watched with dismay the despoiling of the natural environment in the name of economic development. There is almost no access to environmental tourism because of the proliferation of boats.
Because of the Nail Bay project's plan to provide ready access to boats, I believe it will destroy the sea life below as I saw in the USVI. Despite good intentions in St. Thomas, I observed the authority's inability to enforce rules, no matter how strict, which have resulted in the disappearance of the coral stretches that once predominated. My fear is that the same outcome will result if the Nail Bay project is approved. I am concerned that the proposed pier will be a detriment to Virgin Gorda rather than create an economic boon.
It is of great concern to us that the project at Nail Bay will cause an endgame environmental degradation of the sea life. We sadly accept the fact that the North Side sites on Virgin Gorda easily accessible by land has disintegrated. We have always admired the government's insistence on preserving as much of "Nature's Little Secrets."
We have trust in your sense of doing what's right and urge you not to go ahead with this project without considering future impact on the BVI's major strength. To endanger this one last place where the natural sea life remains in Virgin Gorda is not a good economic decision. My family and I urge you to take action that preserves Nature's Little Secrets for this and future generations of British Virgin Islanders.
Sincerely,
James M. Gaughan
Beacon Newspaper article on Judgement
VIEC WINS LANDMARK ENVIRONMENTAL CASE: BEEF ISLAND PROJECT APPROVAL ILLEGAL
VIEC PRESS RELEASE
23 September 2009
The Virgin Islands Environmental Council emerged victorious on Monday 21st September 2009 when Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles handed down a judgment finding the approval of the Beef Island Project illegal.
The two year legal battle began in July 2007 when VIEC, a group of concerned fisherfolk and residents, filed an application in the High Court seeking judicial review of the Jan 2007 decision by former Chief Minister, Hon D Orlando Smith granting planning approval to Quorum Island BVI Limited to construct a 5 star hotel, marina and golf course on Beef Island. The golf course and marina were located next to and partially within the Hans Creek Fisheries Protected area.
Contrary to arguments advanced by the Government and the Developer, Justice Charles ruled that Hans Creek is a Fisheries Protected area within the meaning of the Fisheries Act. The Fisheries Regulations provides that no development activity can take place which may or is likely to adversely affect a fisheries protected area. Any contravention of the Regulations is an offence under the law. Since certain aspects of the proposed development activity are certain to adversely affect the protected area, the planning approval is thereby rendered illegal.
VIEC wishes to make it clear that this victory does not prohibit all future development on Beef Island - however it does make it significantly more difficult for a scheme that is detrimental to the environment to be approved. The developer has the right to resubmit a proposal for planning approval and the Government has the power to grant approval for a suitable scheme that respects the environmental laws of the BVI. Accordingly, as long as the land remains privately owned, it is possible for the Government to approve the construction of a large hotel and exclusive residential community and even a marina depending on where and how it is constructed.
VIEC is extends congratulations to its UK legal team from Six Pump Court under the direction of Stephen Hockman, Q.C. ably assisted by Mark Beard and other members of chambers and Mumta Ito of Itolaw. VIEC Director, Quincy Lettsome notes that "it was a hard fought battle and a meaningful victory indeed". Directors Sheila Schulterbrandt and Richard DeCastro are pleased and elated with the results in the BVI's first environmental case for several reasons. First, in establishing that there are laws and procedures in place for the protection of the Virgin Islands environment and these laws should be observed by all, especially the Government. Second, we are proud because this is the first time Virgin Islanders and residents have come together as a group to take such a public stand on an environmental issue, and in this instance the people's position has been vindicated by the court. Third, the ruling sets an example for others throughout the Caribbean that they can be heard when challenging these types of ecologically destructive mega-developments.
As, Mumta Ito, Solicitor for VIEC who has been advising the charity since the outset of the case explains, "This landmark victory for the VIEC is a tremendous step forward for environmental justice in the BVI and the Caribbean as a whole. It clearly demonstrates that the system supports citizens to effectively take action in the public interest and shows that the judiciary are impartial in their analysis."
The VIEC is extremely grateful to all members of the BVI community who have supported this case, both financially and with their encouragement. Persons far and wide reached into their pockets to help fund the immediate expenses of the legal action and keep the case alive. Tremendous support has been received from Ocean River Institute (ORI), a US-based charity, and other organizations and individuals, including Sir Richard Branson who provided discounted airline tickets for the legal team.
VIEC has been focused on the Beef Island case since its inception but the group realizes that there are many serious environmental challenges facing the BVI community and hopes to expand its focus in the near future.
Above picture showing Beef Island, Trellis Bay, and Hans Creek supplied
What is going on at SCRUB ISLAND?
Sept 19, 2009
BVIHCG has received an upswing in emails from people lately who are absolutely disgusted with what they have been seeing with their own eyes at Scrub Island. We are getting comments from people in ALL facets. We are going to share a couple of the most recent emails here, as anyone who complains, is not getting any answers.
"The problems at scrub island are only beginning.. what you do not see is all the defective and short end construction work that is going on in order to meet the bank dead line. in the real world this second rate work that is performed With Out Goverment Inspection would be a criminal act. some one will be hurt or killed and some one will need to be blamed, but who.. goverment inspection is so lacking that the contractors are doing as thay well please with inexperienced workers. why? because the project manager refuses to pay any one a decent respectiful wage. so the contractor is forced to use people not trained to install steel, forms, electrical and plumbing. there are no less than 4 electrical contractors on site each one doing as they please not communication with each other and blaming each other for faults in the work. there is no plan being followed that has been approved.. inspection is minimal as no one is calling for it. cement is being poured over steel with out inspection. no one to check the integerity of the tie ins. no one to review the plans.. no one accountable for the faults that will eventualy lead to disaster. in the real world no cement can be poured with out a inspection, no electrical can be energised with out an inspection that must follow the strict standards of the code. every one wants to make a few dollars and every one is doing what they want with no guidence from any inspection agency. why, no law suits apply.. who is going to go after a contractor who did what they were told to do by the project manager. the inspection departments here in the bvi do not seem to have control of the projects. why else would workers be ballancing on rotted wood that can give out and drop them to their death.. why else would steel be installed with out supervision, why else would electrical installations take place that would later on creat a death shock, why , why , why.. in the third world the uneducated, greedy goverments allow the people to do as they will, polute the waters, kill the animals, tear up the land, cut down the trees and build buildings that will later become death traps.. all for the love of money... take a look at scrub.. third world at its best being allowed to progress by the same..hire on a few inspectors and pose as interested parties looking to invest.. see for your self the destruction of not only land but of the people that are selling their integrity and their soles for the love of money..
i had seen goverment inspectors and realise that the project is a game show. no one will put there name to any inspection sign offs. no one will stand up to the poor standards that are taking place either. VIPM s the key fault of all this. The owner also as their liability. Substandard building practices and buy outs under the table are going one as we speak.
the place is an accident waiting to happen.. third world building at its best.. please get some one over there to stop this madness.. sooner rather then later.."
"I just had to say something to sombody about this Island Disaster . I will also try to get this in your local paper for others to see.
I have had the opportunity to visit what must have been a beautiful Scrub Island for a simple reason of possibly purchasing a vacation home there. After all the Main Sail website looked so inviting and professional.
As a builder for 40 years I have seen my share of good and not so good building practices around the world and I can tell you that this area is a place where any self-respecting building inspectors can have a field day.
I have witnessed workers balancing on splintered wood trying their best to lay cement on walls forty feet above the ground.
I noticed in many areas where material overhead is ready to fall on workers wearing no hard hats and no warning that something can fall.
The work areas where these men wearing sneakers, is littered with steel protruding up and more steel lay around every which way. Wood full of nails litter the work areas along with many other hazards that will eventually injure a worker.
The roads around the areas I visited were either slippery or washed out. The trucks traveling on them had problems trying to stop.
I asked a worker how the cement that is being poured with some fancy truck is tested for strength. He pointed to a pile of pipe sections filled with cement and said “pick a pipe full of cement and test it for your self”. There are no numbers, dates, times or mixture information just pipe sections full of cement heaped into a pile.
The How can this be possible? Where are the engineers and government inspectors looking after the safety of the workers and the integrity of the work they are struggling to perform under ridiculously unsafe and un-organized conditions?
This is nothing short of an accident that is going to happen. How can some one even think about selling buildings that are being built with no professional supervision and no professional inspections? I have to say no inspections because where I come from this place would have been shut down a long time ago.
I have seen better work practices in some of the most desolate third world areas in the world where I have worked.
The builders and inspectors must feel that the weight of the money in their pockets is heavier than the soles of the people they are deceiving and the workers they are putting in harms way.
I must say that this is not the place I will be investing my hard earnings into.
I can only pray that the government takes a hard look at this place and put a stop to the negligent building practices and poor working conditions that will have an ever-lasting impact to the islands."
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