British Virgin Islands
The British Virgin Islands (BVI), along with Anguilla and Montserrat, are a United Kingdom Overseas Territory. They form part of the nation state of the United Kingdom (UK) but are not represented in the UK parliament; instead they have an independent elected government. The UK is responsible for defense, international relations and has some say in legislation. [1] The territory’s 60 small islands and rocks occupy just over 150 sq km of land on a shelf (to 30 m) of over 2,000 sq km, sitting on the Puerto Rican Bank. The waters around the archipelago average depths of 10 to 30 m. Most of the Bank consists of sand and numerous rock outcrops covered by coral reefs that vary from small isolated patches of a few square meters to the extensive Horseshoe Reef of Anegada, covering approximately 77 sq km. [2] Overall reef condition remains relatively good, with localized deterioration. [3]
According to the Reefs at Risk analysis, over 90 percent of the BVIs 380 sq km of reefs are threatened by human activities. The most pervasive threat identified is overfishing with 96 percent of reefs threatened, followed by coastal development with 47 percent, marine based pollution threatening 23 percent, and finally land-based sources of sedimentation and pollution an estimated threat to 17 percent of reefs.
Tourism has expanded considerably in the BVI in recent years, primarily as a result of marine attractions. Yacht charter and recreational boating services, cruise ships, and diving tourism are particularly important to the BVI economy. The development of the necessary infrastructure has led to coastal degradation, through increased siltation from land reclamation, dredging and construction, and pollution from sewage outfalls. Anchor damage has been implicated in reef degradation, and the large numbers of novice divers are believed to be responsible for damage to corals at dive sites. [4]
Despite there being relatively few commercial fishers (<200), with a total catch of some 800 tons in 1998, impacts of both commercial and recreational fishing remain substantial. [5] All commercially important species appear to be overfished-particularly conch, spiny lobster, and most species of groupers and snappers-as a result of growing local populations and a booming tourism industry. Recreational hook-and-line fishing is minimal, and collection of ornamental fish for the aquarium trade is prohibited. [6]
Since 1992, the BVI mooring system has become a highly successful means of generating revenue for management. Revenue from mooring fees in 2002 exceeded US$200,000 and allows the BVI Marine Conservation Program to be completely self-sustaining. [7]
A number of marine protected areas have been declared, although active management is limited. [8] Neither the National Parks Trust nor the Conservation and Fisheries Department have the resources or the legal mandate to control activities in the protected areas. [9]
[1] F. Gail & M. Watson, “UK Overseas Territories in the northeast Caribbean: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat” in Seas at the Millennium: An Environmental Evaluation. Vol 1 Regional Chapters: Europe, The Americas and West Africa. C.R.C. Sheppard, ed. (Oxford, UK: Elsevier Press, 2000), p. 616
[2] A.H. Smith et al., “Status of coral reefs in the eastern Caribbean: The OECS, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Netherlands Antilles and the French Caribbean,” in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 . C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2000), p.316
[3] A.H. Smith et al., “Status of coral reefs in the eastern Caribbean: The OECS, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Netherlands Antilles and the French Caribbean,” in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 . C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2000), p.319
[4] A.F. Smith, C.S. Rogers, and C. Bouchon. 1999. “Status of Western Atlantic Coral Reefs in the Lesser Antilles.” Proceedings of the 8th International Coral Reef Symposium, pp 351-356
[5] M. Spalding et al., World Atlas of Coral Reefs (Berkeley, California: University of California Press and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, 2001), p. 157
[6] A.H. Smith et al., “Status of coral reefs in the eastern Caribbean: The OECS, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Netherlands Antilles and the French Caribbean,” in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 . C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2000), p.322
[7] J.C Smith Abbott (Director, BVI National Parks Trust), personal communication 12 January 2004.
[8] M. Spalding et al., World Atlas of Coral Reefs (Berkeley, California: University of California Press and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, 2001), p. 157
[9] A.H. Smith et al., “Status of coral reefs in the eastern Caribbean: The OECS, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, The Netherlands Antilles and the French Caribbean,” in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2000 . C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2000), p.325
