Within the “next couple of months,” the government aims to begin developing a national biodiversity strategy and action plan through an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States project, according to Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley.
Within the “next couple of months,” the government aims to begin developing a national biodiversity strategy and action plan through an Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States project, according to Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley.
The announcement came in a statement last Thursday in the House of Assembly, where the premier also provided updates on environmental matters including sargassum management; water quality monitoring; and data storage.
The biodiversity strategy, he explained, will tie into the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Biodiversity Strategy, which is already in effect.
Ministry
The premier — who leads the newly created Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change — began his statement with news on how the VI plans to address the sargassum that has been washing ashore in mass quantities in recent years.
Through a regional Darwin Plus-funded project led by the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), the territory has adopted a management strategy to tackle the seaweed, according to the premier.
Additionally, he said, representatives from key agencies, nongovernmental organisations, private sector partners, and other community members recently received specialised training on sargassum management.
Dr. Wheatley also provided an update on the Long Bay, Beef Island Beach Management Plan, which was finalised in December.
Government, he said, will soon be accepting bids for the construction of vendor stalls and public picnic areas.
The pilot initiative — which focuses on sustainability — will pave the way for the development and implementation of other similar plans across the territory, according to the premier.
Coral reefs
The premier also mentioned other initiatives that the government is taking to address environmental concerns.
In partnership with the National Parks Trust and the nonprofit organisation Beyond the Reef, the government established a coral reef “strike team” in 2020 to combat stony coral tissue loss disease.
“This rapidly spreading disease has posed one of the greatest threats to the coral reef health, and I’m pleased to report that the data now shows the incidence of diseases stabilising,” the premier said.
“This is the result of the hard work of the coral reef strike team that has consistently treated infected reefs with antibiotics.”
Water monitoring
Government has also focused on coastal water quality monitoring by securing a nearly $1 million grant from the Resilience Sustainable Energy and Marine Biodiversity Programme (RESEMBID).
“This programme is critical to ensure that our coastal and marine water quality will support our tourism product and our water supply will remain pristine,” the premier said. Additionally, the
ministry is working to procure a boat that will expand water quality monitoring, and it is working with a consultant to develop a comprehensive coastal water monitoring programme, he said.
The ministry has also made progress in bolstering its data management capabilities, according to the premier.
Data hub established
To that end, he explained, it has established the National Geographic Information System Environment Data Hub, which provides a centralised repository for environmental data.
Up-to-date coastal inventory maps are aimed at enhancing marine spatial planning and facilitating the protection and sustainable utilisation of resources like coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves, he said.
The premier also noted that the recently reappointed Climate Change Trust Fund Board held its first meeting last month.
‘Blue economy’
He finished his statement by sharing that the United Nations Development Programme has pledged to support the ministry in pushing forward the blue economy roadmap approved by Cabinet last year.
“This update is in keeping with my commitment as premier to ensure that due attention is given to environmental matters under my leadership,” he said. “I look forward to providing the House with regular updates as I work with the environment team to develop and implement an aggressive agenda.”