May 2009 - Caribbean Compass

— Continued from previous page
What really has me and others reeling, though, is the projected mooring field being
planned for Carriacou. There’s already a new marina in progress, although construction
is proceeding slowly. This will eventually extend out into Tyrrel Bay and remove
some anchorage space. Most cruisers who frequent Tyrrel Bay are likely unaware of
the new moorings being planned for the north side of the bay.
The project is called Sandy Island/Oyster Bed Marine Protected Area (SIOBMPA),
Carriacou, Grenada. And to quote the program planners, “The objective of this project
is to enhance the management of the SIOBMPA to ensure conservation of biodiversity
and sustainable livelihoods by developing and constructing infrastructures
required for the management of the SIOBMPA.”
This sounds like some big words, but broken down makes more sense. First, let’s
define bio-diversity as does Wikipedia: “Bio-diversity is the variation of life forms
within a given ecosystem.” Okay, we are all in favor of not causing damage to existing
ecosystems, such as living reefs, various trees and shrubs, birds, animals both
aquatic and ground-based, and more particularly in this instance, the mangrove
oysters which exist in the northern lagoon in Tyrrel Bay.
Let’s talk about the mangrove oysters. First, there is no large demand for them,
whether by locals or cruisers. They are small, thin, not very tasty, and not worth the
price of someone harvesting them. My own thought is that they perform a much better
job within the ecosystem by what they do if left alone, filtering water, providing
habitat and food for fish, etcetera. If “sustainable livelihoods” are in any way, shape
or form addressing mangrove oysters and people harvesting them, we know of only
one person who occasionally harvests some oysters here in Tyrrel Bay, and lately
he’s not even doing that, again, read lack of demand.
The major concern cruisers have is the installation of mooring balls, which will
take away likely between ten and 15 percent of currently available anchoring space
within Tyrrel Bay as a starter. Placement of these proposed moorings is scheduled
for the northern portions of the anchorage, which is used most when severe weather
Will a proposed mooring field in a Marine Protected Area eat up more anchoring
space in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou?
or large swells threaten the area. Other proposed moorings are scheduled for
Mabouya Island and the renowned Sandy Island, both uninhabited islets off
Carriacou. There is also talk of prohibiting anchoring at or even stepping on Sandy
Island. The parkland should obviously be well maintained and managed for future
generations, of that there is no doubt, however, controlled access is better than none
at all.
Again, maintaining current bio-diversity is something unarguably much like motherhood
and apple pie. We, as cruisers, like to give back to these lovely islands and
the wonderful people we meet here. For example, my wife and I, along with another
cruising couple, visited the Harvey Vale Government School (grammar school) for its
Grenada Independence Day celebration, a couple of years ago. In touring the school
we noticed a door lying on the floor outside a small room, designated for the library.
When we asked the principal about the door, she said, “We don’t have anyone to
install the door, and we have no hardware.”
Well, suffice it to say that we, along with Michael, on S/V B’Sheret, quickly went
to work, paying for and buying the hardware, and installing the door. We then
painted the door and frame, and the library shelves. Since that time, my wife has
devoted many hours volunteering in the library to help organize it, and process the
books for circulation among the students.
Another long-running program of great benefit to locals on Carriacou is the
Carriacou Children’s Education Fund, which is managed by Melodye and John
Pompa of the sailing vessel Second Millennium. Detailed information about this group
and its accomplishments has been recently published in the Caribbean Compass
and other publications, so we’ll not go into it further. However, this is yet another
instance of how cruisers, in concert with local businesses and others, bring strength
and diversity to a Caribbean island.
Several cruisers and ex-pats have also for years been involved in initiating and
maintaining a youth Optimist sailing program in Tyrrel Bay, under the auspices of
the Grenada Sailing Association. Without these (nameless, lest I miss someone)
people the program would not have been started or flourished. We have donated both
materials and labor maintaining boats, and managed the program. Cruisers also
provide safety boats in the event of youths requiring assistance or towing back to
shore. The current fleet consists of eight Optimists (including a couple which are lent
to the group) and two GP-14s (still needing work), a larger sailing vessel for those
youth who become more accomplished. Local youths may participate in this program
at essentially no cost, just show up for three hours each Saturday morning.
My whole point, directed to governments, business owners and locals alike, is that
if moorings continue to be installed in these areas, we will go elsewhere to volunteer
and spend our money. Because we all know what happens with moorings: first they
are installed, then it’s required to use them, then the price goes up, then more moorings
are installed. It’s a pattern repeated worldwide and until Caribbean island governments
realize the consequences, live-aboard cruisers will be driven away. One
wonders if some local businesses want charter boats instead of liveaboards.
If it’s at the cost of lost revenue and other benefits obtained from liveaboard cruisers,
it’s a losing proposition. Shrinking anchorages are not a good thing for anyone.
Perhaps it’s time for cruisers to organize and work with local governments to get our
concerns heard, similar to what Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) and others
are doing as regards anchoring in Florida, in the United States. Please, don’t shrink
our anchorages. We love it here and do not want to leave.
AMEL 54 - 2005 - Perfect Condition
Attractive Price - EC VAT Paid
Pacific 639 000 €
PRIVILEGE 12 M - 1994
2 * 30 HP Volvo - Good Condition
St Martin 129 000 €
MONOHULL
Amel 54 2007 St Martin 699 000 €
Amel Super Maramu 2001 Martinique 320 000 €
Alubat Ovni 435 2006 Guadeloupe 269 000 €
Oceanis 411 1998 (Superb) Guadeloupe 99 000 €
CATAMARANS
Lagoon 440 2007 Caribbean 390 000 €
Lagoon 380 2004 St Martin 165 000 €
Belize 43 2002 St Martin 200 000 €
Athena 38 1996 Martinique 140 000 €
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36’ 1989 Outer Reef Trawler,
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Tel: (340) 779-1660
Fax: (340) 779-2779
yachts@islands.vi
41’ 1985 C & C Sloop, Custom
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Sail
35’ 1977 Pearson Sloop, 2003 yanmar, new awl gripped topsides $44,000
45’ 1983 Beneteau First 456, AP, Max Prop, rebuilt Perkins $89,000
45’ 1975 Durbeck D-46 World Cruiser, Ketch, Hard top Bimini $94,900
49’ 1979 Transpacific Ketch, Bluewater, 3 strms, loaded $180,000
Power
26’ Whale Boat Navy Capts gig, Perkins, 4109 $39,000
29’ Phoenix SF, Twin Volvos, trim tabs, outriggers $64,500
32’ 1996 Carver 325 Twin Crusaders, great condition $69,000
36’1980 Litton Trawler, Yanmar diesels, Gen Set $40,000
42’ 1983 Present Sundeck My AP, Sundeck $85,500
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MAY 2009 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 43