NATIONAL INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Fisheries Development in the BVI
Emerging Issues
(continued)
7.0 DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES IMPACT ON
RESOURCES
The rapid phase of coastal development activities over the last few
years has had considerable impact on fish resources, specifically as it
relates to fish habitats and spawning grounds. Habitats that are critical
to the replenishment of fish stocks and the sustainable operation of the
fishing industry include coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove swamps.
Data from the Coastal Resources Atlas shows that the BVI has an estimated
7, 568.67 hectares of reef area, most of which are fishing banks for
shallow water reef fish. In addition to this, 929.7 hectares of coral reef
show evidence of being impacted. This could be attributed to extensive
dredging and reclamation activities, and the consequent increase in
suspended solids and turbidity of seawater, which can cause death of coral
reef formations. Seagrass beds cover an area of 3989.86 hectares and total
mangrove area is 114.27 hectares. Clearing of mangroves for developmental
purposes has led to the loss of potential breeding grounds for juvenile
fishes and a reduction in the role of the mangrove swamp as a settling
tank for silted storm water run-off.
Land based sources of pollution that affect fishery resources include
pesticide usage in agricultural areas susceptible to storm water run-off.
Improper management of land clearing on steep slopes and the consequent
soil erosion and siltation of bays all have negative impacts on the
sensitive marine ecosystems.
It is essential to note that tourism development in the BVI is oriented
towards the environment, more particularly the sea and its resources. The
interrelationships between the health and survival of the marine ecosystem
and coastal development activities should not be underscored. The observed
inadequacy of berthing and mooring facilities to meet the anchoring needs
of visiting and locally based yacht traffic has resulted in boats dropping
anchors outside mooring fields. This practice has significant impact on
the surrounding coral reefs. Other impacts include indiscriminate solid
waste disposal at sea and oil spills from barges and other vessels. Table
7.1 portrays some conflict of uses occurring in some fishing banks, while
Table 7.2 shows the interrelationships between some development activities
and fisheries resource systems.
TABLE 7.1
CONFLICT OF ACTIVITIES AT SEINE NET FISHING BANKS
|
LOCATION OF FISHING BANK |
CONFLICTS |
COMMENTS |
TORTOLA
Sophers Hole,
Frenchmans Cay |
Anchorage and trafficking of yachts,
power boats and dinghies |
BVI Government has approved legislation
to make the Cay a Fisheries protected area. |
PETER ISLAND
Great Habour |
Yacht anchorage, water and jet skiing |
Conservation and Fisheries Dept. is
currently getting coordinates of the area for the purpose of zoning |
| NORMAN ISLAND |
Yacht anchoring, snorkeling, jet and
water skiing |
A proposed fisheries area. |
GUANA ISLAND
Bongrey Point to long Point (including Musk-melon bay) |
Yachts anchoring, snorkeling, water
skiing, high speeding boats. Landowners protest against fishing |
A proposed fisheries area. |
GREAT CAMANOE ISLAND
Dicky Ground to North Bay. This include Banana Ghut, Johnny Ground
the Hallow, Towering Point and North Bluff |
Yacht anchoring; water skiing, high speed
boat traffic and snorkeling |
A proposed fisheries area. |
VIRGIN GORDA
South Sound and North Sound
|
Traditionally North Sound fishermen have
been in those conflict with those from The Valley
|
A proposed Fisheries Area to target one
species of jack fish |
|
OTHER FISHING BANKS |
THE DOGS
Mainly West Dog, Great Dog and George Dog |
Not in conflict |
|
SCRUB ISLAND
Mainly on the North side |
Not in conflict |
|
SALT ISLAND
Mainly the Sound |
Not in conflict |
Proposed resource protected area |
| HORSESHOE REEF |
Not in conflict |
Protected area/ Hurricane shelter |
TABLE 7.2
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COASTAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
AND FISHERIES RESOURCE SYSTEMS
| COASTAL
DEVELOPMENT |
POTENTIAL
HARMFUL IMPACT |
HABITAT
IMPACTED |
EFFECT
ON FISH RESOURCES |
| Marinas / Ports
|
- loss of habitat
- degradation of water quality from liquid waste
- oil spills from flushing of boat engines |
Coral reefs
Seagrass Beds |
- reduction in the abundance and
diversity of fish
- loss of habitat for shallow water fish species |
| Residential/ Recreational
|
- litter, domestic, chemical and thermal
flushing
- destruction of coastal vegetation / release of trapped silt and
pollutants |
Coral Reefs
Mangroves |
- smothering / poisoning of marine life
- eutrophication of adjoining water body
- siltation of near shore reef habitats |
| Anchorage’s / Dive sites |
- destruction of coral reefs by repeated
anchoring
- disposal of effluent at sea |
Coral Reefs
Mangroves |
- reduction in diversity abundance of
reef fishes
- poor water quality |
| Dredging / Reclamation
|
- disturbance of bottom sediments
- increased turbidity and suspended solids |
Coral Reefs |
- smothering of reef organisms and marine
life |
| Sandmining |
- beach erosion
- destruction of binding vegetation |
Seagrass Beds
Coral Reefs |
- smothering of reef organisms and marine
life |
| Agriculture |
- excessive siltation
- pesticides, herbicides and fertilizer pollution |
Coral Reefs |
- poisoning / smothering of marine life
- eutrophication of shallow water |
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