Retired Principal urges greater awareness and proactive water management measures
Retired Biology teacher, Principal, and environmental researcher John Renton, has expressed concerns about the state of the river systems on St Vincent (SVG), noting that river flow across the country has significantly decreased in recent times. His observations point to growing environmental stress, which he believes is linked to broader climatic changes and increasing human demand on natural resources.
In a SEARCHLIGHT interview on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Renton highlighted the seriousness of the situation, explaining that reduced water levels are already placing strain on river ecosystems. He noted that once “the flow of the river is greatly reduced, there is a lot of stress on the river”.
Renton’s concerns are informed by his recent involvement in a project aimed at inventorying fish and crayfish populations in freshwater systems across the mainland. Through this work, he has been able to observe changes within river environments first hand. While he acknowledged that there is still a considerable level of biodiversity present, he stressed that this is not the primary issue at this time. He said the more pressing concern is the noticeable reduction in water flow, which he attributes largely to drought conditions affecting the island.
Renton pointed to the critical role the rivers play in the country’s water supply and energy production, making their reduced flow even more significant.
Renton stated that 97% of the fresh water is drawn from rivers and that 20% of the electricity generated is by hydro power. These figures, he pointed out, demonstrate the extent to which the country depends on its river systems.
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