Resident urged to discontinue practices that harm marine local environment
The Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources Vincent Wheatley is appealing to residents who continue to harm the marine environment through various ill practices to discontinue from such activities.
Minister Wheatley made the appeal during a recent sitting in the House of Assembly following a number of reported complaints from residents.
“I speak of concerns raised by residents about the series of events which are having drastic consequences on our national environment here in the Virgin Islands. Our marine environment has been under increased pressure from both natural and unsustainable human activities, which are damaging our marine ecosystems,” Wheatley stated.
He said some of the practices reported include the filling up of wetlands and ponds, removal of sand from beaches and clearing and cutting of mangroves.
The Deputy Premier also said that a number of persons were conducting illegal fishing practices such as the capturing undersized fish and capturing lobsters in the closed seasons.
He urged that these practices must be ceased immediately considering the negative impact they have on the territory.
“The ministry will like to remind residents that these practices must come to an end, as our daily lives both socially and economically are highly dependent on the state of the national environment of the BVI,” Wheatley said.
The Deputy Premier also asked Agriculture & Fisheries Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley to appeal to the various members of the community to cease and desist from such destructive practices.
“I speak of concerns raised by residents about the series of events which are having drastic consequences on our national environment here in the Virgin Islands. Our marine environment has been under increased pressure from both natural and unsustainable human activities, which are damaging our marine ecosystems,” Wheatley stated.
He said some of the practices reported include the filling up of wetlands and ponds, removal of sand from beaches and clearing and cutting of mangroves.
The Deputy Premier also said that a number of persons were conducting illegal fishing practices such as the capturing undersized fish and capturing lobsters in the closed seasons.
He urged that these practices must be ceased immediately considering the negative impact they have on the territory.
“The ministry will like to remind residents that these practices must come to an end, as our daily lives both socially and economically are highly dependent on the state of the national environment of the BVI,” Wheatley said.
The Deputy Premier also asked Agriculture & Fisheries Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley to appeal to the various members of the community to cease and desist from such destructive practices.
