Beef Island the Best of Nature s Little Secrets

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1 Beef Island the Best of Nature s Little Secrets I I am I plus my surroundings if I do not preserve the latter, I do not preserve myself From Harbour Branch Oceanographic Institution Inc.

2 Comments: Conservation and Fisheries Department Beef Island Proposed 668 Acre Golf Course, Five Star Hotel, & Marina Development

3 Why Comment? Vision: Conservation and Fisheries An environment that is well managed, protected and preserved to maintain the unique ecological features and natural beauty of the British Virgin Islands, through a legal framework that promotes the rational efficient and sustainable utilization of these resources in harmony with economic development, indigenous culture and recreation

4 Why Comment? There are moments in the life of every community when critical choices must be made, fundamental statements of character and aspirations are proclaimed and a course for the future is charted NDP Manifesto 2003 An NDP Government will: Be a leader on the protection of the environment Manage & protect the coastal zone & its fragile ecosystem NDP Manifesto 2003

5 Contents Synopsis of the Development Development Alternatives Why Comment? Beef Island Now How We Want Our Friends to See Us Social Value Natural Resources Value Marine Terrestrial Historical Archeological Development Conditions Legal Obligations Sustainable Development vs. Sustainable Growth A Paper by B. Lettsome, Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer

6 What is the current status of Beef Island?

7 Applied Holdings Ltd. proposes a 668 acre Golf Course, one marina within the fisheries protected area at Hans Creek/Bluff Bay and another with a breakwater adjacent to it. A five star hotel (190 rooms) and about 598 residential villas

8 14 th 14 th Hole

9 Beef Island Bluff Bay Salt Pond Dredged for Another Marina

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11 The Conservation and Fisheries Department Proposes: ( Beef Island Options ) 1. Find an alternate location within the territory for the golf course. 2. Government should purchase Beef Island on behalf of the National Investment Club/National Development Corporation. 3. The terrestrial lands & marine areas of Beef Island identified in the BVI Parks & Protected Areas Systems Plan, should be declared by Government & transferred to the National Parks Trust for management reinforced by declaration of a Marine Reserve.. 4. A system of boardwalks and hiking & snorkel snorkel trails should be developed. 5. Utilizing local BVI capital to develop the following areas: - Agricultural potential - Sport fishing & Fly fishing - Cultural & eco-tourism concepts - Low impact accommodations (such as eco villas, bed & breakfast, etc.) - Construct scientific research station at Hans Creek - Designation of Marine Protected Areas/Expansion of current MPA

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13 Justification for the Beef Island OPTIONS A successful tourism product predicated on our pristine, natural beauty and seclusion Social value of Beef Island Ecological value of Beef Island/Hans Creek Development Conditions Legal Obligations MOST IMPORTANTLY THERE ARE OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES AS PROPOSED. THE OPTIONS JUSTIFY THEMSELVES

14 How We Want Our Friends to See Us»Nature s Little Secrets»Seclusion»Anonymity»Security»Pristine Beauty Beyond Belief Result: A successful, unique Tourism Product

15 Mega-Views: Mega-Malls: 0 To Be Spoiled On Our Unspoiled Islands, Visit The British Virgin Islands. The Last Great Undiscovered Place

16 1,500 room resort and casino not coming soon

17 Beef Island The Social Value For generations of BVIslanders, Beef Island is of significant social value. Therapeutic relaxation Jogging Walking Swimming Snorkeling Retreating with the family

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19 Ecological Value Study of Hans Creek Significant nursery area for juvenile yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus). This and other species have established Hans Creek as home for growing out before going to the fishing grounds

20 Ecological Value Study of Hans Creek Hans Creek is a unique juxtaposition and interdependence of three juvenile fish nursery areas namely back reef lagoon of a thriving coral reef, healthy mangroves and seagrass beds. Sixty two (62) different species of fish, rich biodiversity, compared to other areas in the BVI, adjacent territories and similar areas in Jamaica, juvenile fish abundance two to three orders of magnitude greater in the Hans Creek area. Current patterns concentrating juveniles of commercially important fish in one area. Compared to two other sites in the BVI Hans Creek contributed 82% of yellowtail (Ocyurus Ocyurus chrysurus), 82% of lane snapper ( (Lutjanus synagris) ) and 53 % of L. apodus. Photo Hans Creek Beef Island

21 A Ecological Value Study of Hans Creek B B B There is a unique relationship between the salt pond at A which produces a superabundance of tiny organisms which are flushed out during tidal changes and carried down current to feed the community of tiny juvenile fish which are growing out in B, the sea grass beds, backreef areas and mangroves nursey grounds. These fish are primarily yellowtail snapper.

22 Ecological Value Study of Hans Creek Study concluded Hans Creek is of major importance as a fish nursery area for commercially important species of high economic value and a feeder zone for fish which then leave for fishing grounds in the Virgin Islands

23 Ecological Value Study of Hans Creek Study Conclusion The BVI offers one of the most favourable environments in the Caribbean for retention of eggs and larvae spawned locally. When we destroy the supporting environment we destroy the fisheries legacy for future generations the long term impact is unknown.

24 Ecological Value Study of Hans Creek 2003 Bluff Bay area supports one of the best developed conch nursery areas in the BVI

25 Notable Terrestrial Resources Unique vegetation and fauna Tetramicra elegans - Banana Wharf, Beef Island Many ponds on Beef Island which support distinctive bird and wildlife populations, filters fresh water outflow and produce food for pond life and the sea. This poorly understood ecological relationship maintains the quality of the marine environment. Ponds are associated with dense mangroves. Malphigia woodburyana is an endangered tree species. Purely natural stands of this species are few. One such stand exists on Beef Island. Myiarchus antillarum Puerto Rican Fly Catcher

26 Archaeological Value Banana Wharf Pond & Historical Sites Banana Wharf Pond Banana Wharf Pond & Stone Building Banana Wharf Lime Kiln Road Cutting Has Begun!! Little Mtn. Greathouse Little Mt Great House Banana Wharf Wall Banana Wharf House

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28 Beef Island Development Development Conditions Land holding license granted in 1994 Work to commence one year after issue Invest million dollars in the first seven years Obligations were not fulfilled within agreed time frames as required. The territory is therefore not bound to this arrangement

29 Legal Obligations V I Fisheries Act 1997 Section 51 No person shall carry out any development activity whether terrestrial or otherwise, which may or is likely to adversely impact on a marine protected area declared as such by the Minister by order in the Gazette. No person shall use any marine protected area for anchorage of any yacht or vessel except in the event of a storm or hurricane or such other act of God as would render the yacht or vessel unseaworthy. The VI Fisheries Regulations 2003 declares the Hans Creek area a Protected Area under the Law. (Part IX Section 51 (5))

30 Proposed Terrestrial National Park 1986 NPT Systems Plan

31 Beef Island Development-Key Questions 1. Will the development eliminate open or green space by utilizing an undeveloped site? 2. Will the proposed development ALTER or ELIMINATE wetlands or other key sensitive areas? 3. Are there historical or archaeological areas on the site that will be affected by this development? 4. What impact will the development have on the ecological systems of the site, such as plant life and wildlife habitat? 5. How will the development affect the existing character of the site through the manipulation of the topography and vegetation? 6. Is there any potential for water pollution? 7. Will the development impact already limited water supplies? 8. Will the long term application of chemicals and pesticides to maintain a golf course add to increased water pollution and reef destruction Source: Klaine S., Rainwater T., & Forsythe B. The Environmentally Friendly Golf Course 1995.

32 A Requirement for This Development Non-partisan Environmental impact study needs to be completed that takes into consideration all factors. The ultimate cost of development is loss of all these habitats which are of immeasurable value to the ecology and long term sustainability of the marine fisheries resources of the BVI.

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42 In the end. We will conserve only what we love Baba Dioum