Due to his concerns that “coral reefs and sea grass beds are dying” due to pollution caused by untreated human waste, Natural Resources and Labour Minister Dr. Kedrick Pickering said last week that he may introduce a bill to require all of the territory’s yachts to have holding tanks.

Untreated waste from land- and sea-based sources is routinely discharged into Virgin Islands waters. Speaking before the House of Assembly on July 24, Dr. Pickering said that the phosphorus- and nitrogen-rich wastewater can harm marine life.

His ministry will consult with the Attorney General’s Chambers to see if the VI’s adherence to the Marine Pollution Convention, an international treaty, can require yachts to have holding tanks and use pump-out facilities, Dr. Pickering said. If the treaty doesn’t require it, he plans to introduce a new law to the HOA for consideration, he added.

“We have been reliably informed by industry officials that the yachting industry in these islands is at its carrying capacity, and therefore it behooves us to act speedily to address this issue,” Dr. Pickering said.

 

See the Aug. 2, 2012 edition for full coverage.

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