Rescue mission for Ashton Lagoon

When Politicians and investors put development and profits before environmental and social sustainability, there can be no other result than mayhem. The aborted Ashton Marina project in Union Island arguably stands out as the single largest manmade environmental disaster in St Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

Ten years after the project was aborted, marine life in the Ashton lagoon is depleted, the reefs are dead and the water is stagnant as there is no tide flow due to a barrier that was built to connect Frigate Island to Union Island.

On Tuesday May 22, environmentalists, conservationists and personnel from local and international agencies along with Union Island residents and stakeholder groups held a three day workshop to look at ways and means to restore the Ashton lagoon.

The Ashton Lagoon located on the south side of Union Island is the largest wetland on SVG and was unique in that it contained all primary components of a mangrove/ seagrass/ coral reef ecosystem including a long stretch of outer reefs.

In 1994, a foreign developer proposed to build a 300-boat marina, condominiums and gulf course in the lagoon and mangroves. After building the causeway, the developer disappeared leaving behind the damaged bay.

The three-day Ashton Lagoon Restoration Project, Participatory Planning Workshop was geared towards determining the Vincentian community’s vision for sustainable use of the lagoon, assessing the feasibility of different options and developing a plan to pursue that vision.

The workshop was sponsored by the Society for the Study and Conservation of Caribbean Birds in collaboration with the Sustainable Grenadines Project based in Union Island and Avian Eyes Birding group based in St Vincent.

Because Caribbean wetlands are vital to the survival of many migratory birds, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Neotropical Migratory Bird Act Fund) also provided funding for the workshop. In addition, many concerned and dedicated individuals and organizations donated their time and resources.