BVI Losing Its Shine — Act Now
Long Bay beach on Beef Island remains one of Tortola’s most pristine shorelines, but wider signs show the British Virgin Islands losing environmental quality on land and sea. Local leaders, tourism authorities and residents must act now on waste, marine protection, cruise management and infrastructure to preserve the territory’s natural appeal.
On a recent Saturday morning Long Bay beach, Beef Island, demonstrated why so many of our visitors and residents fall in love with the British Virgin Islands. Clear water, yellow sand and protective coastal ponds gave the shoreline a striking, unspoiled beauty — a reminder of what the BVI can be when nature is left to do its work.
But that scene sits in contrast to worrying trends elsewhere in the Territory. Once-prized beaches such as Cane Garden Bay have suffered as protective ponds were filled in and waters experienced eutrophication. Even Virgin Gorda — often regarded as one of the more pristine islands — has shown early signs of degradation.
These developments have residents and visitors commenting that the BVI is ‘‘losing its shine.’’ The stakes are high. Much of the Territory’s tourism product is marine-based: beaches, coves and national parks (both marine and terrestrial) are core draws. If the marine environment is mismanaged, the consequences would ripple through the economy and community.
Critical questions need answering: are vessels using holding tanks and discharging only in permitted areas? Do we have enough well-maintained mooring balls to prevent illegal anchoring on reefs? Are marine enforcement resources focused on the right priorities so laws on the water are upheld?
Compounding the problem is institutional weakness. The Conservation and Fisheries Department no longer exists in its previous form, and cruise throughput continues to be encouraged without an apparent sustainable plan. Ports and tourism operators must work with the Ministry of Tourism to adopt strategic planning that addresses carrying capacity, waste management and visitor impact.
On land, concerns about crime, roadside litter, stray animals and derelict vehicles are increasingly visible. Bags of garbage left at the roadside attract pests and degrade neighbourhoods; vehicles in various states of repair clutter communities and public spaces. As the late Bertrand Lettsome reminded us, ‘‘As the environment goes, so goes the BVI.’’ Restoring and protecting the Territory will require practical action: rebuild environmental institutions or strengthen existing ones, invest in marine enforcement and moorings, implement better waste collection and stray animal management, and create a coordinated plan for cruise and visitor numbers.
It will also require community commitment — a collective ‘‘spring cleaning’’ so that every corner of the BVI can inspire the same awe as Long Bay beach. The choice is ours: allow erosion of what makes the BVI special, or take decisive steps to preserve it.
Primary source: Guavaberry