Heed the people’s voice on dredging the Canouan Barrier Reef

Editor: There is a proposal from a developer in Canouan to the government of St Vincent and the Grenadines to dredge the barrier reef in Canouan to allow luxury yachts to enter the marina. I was reliably informed that over 250 residents have signed a petition which was delivered to the Planning Board, Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines stating that they were against the dredging project.

I hope that the government will listen to the residents of Canouan as dredging and dynamiting the barrier reef will reduce the level of protection of the island of Canouan from storms, hurricanes and tidal waves coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. Coral reefs, beside being the first line of defence from hurricanes, storms and tidal waves, also provide habitat for fishes and other marine species. This is great for the promotion of our tourism.

The close proximity of the area in Canouan to the Tobago Cays may have serious consequences on the quality of the water and the endangered turtles and marine life in the Cay. We promote the Tobago Cays Marine Park as an area that has clear, tranquil waters where marine and other animals live in a protected environment. Was there any consideration regarding the impacts of the dredging on the Tobago Cays Marine Park?

When the sand on south-east of mainland St Vincent and the Grenadines was dredged to fill in the modern Port facility in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, we were told that the area has no life despite the fact that it was a fishing bank for lobsters and fishes including snappers. The environmental impact study for the Argyle International Airport highlights the richness of the marine species living in the south-east. We were also told by government that there was sand in abundance, whilst the public were not informed that the sand provides a defensive barrier protecting the area from hurricanes and storms coming in from the Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricane Beryl exposed all the falsehoods surrounding these claims. The communities of Diamond and Stubbs were threatened by high tides washing away the beaches. Half of the enclosure at the Rawacou Recreational Facility was destroyed by high tides. The exterior ring of the Argyle International Airport was washed by tidal waves.

I, therefore hope that the Planning Board of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines will listen to the people of Canouan and that common sense will prevail.

Andrew Simmons – PhD