Fraser Mandates Carrying Capacity Study for The
Deputy Premier Hon. Julian Fraser has reaffirmed that public access to The Baths and Devil’s Bay must be protected, declaring that commercial exclusions conflict with government policy. Following meetings with National Parks Trust leadership, Fraser announced an upcoming directive mandating a comprehensive Carrying Capacity Study to manage park overcrowding scientifically.
The Baths and Devil’s Bay National Parks on Virgin Gorda will remain fully open to the public after Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Hon. Julian Fraser, intervened to halt commercial exclusivity talks and ordered a science-based management review.
Minister Fraser met with National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands (NPTVI) Board Chairman Clyde Lettsome and Director Dr. Cassandra Titley-O’Neal on Friday to address the controversial proposal. The issue came to light during a heated virtual public meeting on Thursday night that drew nearly 200 participants, where the Trust discussed a contemplated arrangement that would have restricted general public access between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon on nine peak-season mornings for fewer than 150 luxury cruise passengers.
The proposal ignited immediate community outrage and an online petition gathering over 2,000 signatures. Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health, Hon. Vincent Wheatley, voiced strong opposition, noting he had rejected a similar proposal in 2021. Prominent community figures, including former Tourism Director Sharon Flax-Brutus and legal expert Paul Webster, KC, also condemned the plan, warning that restricting shoreline access sets a dangerous precedent.
Chairman Lettsome confirmed during the town hall that the Trust had already suspended negotiations on August 21 after receiving a formal directive from Minister Fraser on August 19. Commending Trust leadership for their transparency during the public meeting, Fraser made clear that while he has no intention of micromanaging the Trust, the government must act when park initiatives conflict with established policy and legislation governing public beach access.
Moving forward, Fraser announced that the Trust will receive a formal directive to conduct a comprehensive Carrying Capacity Study for The Baths, Devil’s Bay, and other heavily visited national parks. The study will objectively assess environmental, physical, and operational limits to establish sustainable hourly and daily visitor thresholds, address peak congestion, and schedule visitors without locking out residents.
Emphasizing that tourism growth and local rights should not be treated as competing interests, Minister Fraser stated that managing national treasures requires evidence-based solutions rather than ad hoc restrictions. He maintained that commercial opportunities must never undermine the fundamental principle that the Territory's beaches belong to the people of the Virgin Islands.
Primary source: BVI Platinum