Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society

AN ABRIDGED

ENVIRONMENTAL

PROFILE

OF THE ISLAND OF

JOST VAN DYKE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS LITTLE JOST VAN DYKE

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SANDY CAY

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GREEN CAY

United Kingdom

Overseas Territories Environment Programme

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SANDY SPIT

Table of Contents 3

An Introduction to the Profile Islands

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Profile Islands at a Glance

5

The Physical Setting

6

Key Historic Events

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Conserving Biodiversity

9

Plants & Trees

10

Invasive Species

11

Animal Species

12

Salt Ponds

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The Natural Marine Environment

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Jost Van Dyke & the Sea

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Jost Van Dyke’s Historical & Cultural Hertiage

18

Heritage Sites

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Cultural Traditions

22

Waste Management & Pollution Control

24

Sedimentation & Erosion

25

Directions for the Future

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Institutional Framework

27

Government Agencies & Environmantal Protection

28

Legal & Regulatory Instruments

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About This Project

For a copy of this publication, contact Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands VG1160 Tel 284.540.0861 www.jvdps.org

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

An Introduction to the Profile Islands

Sandy Cay: designated as the BVI’s newest National Park

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165 feet. The USVI and BVI lie on a bank that espite 300 years of habitation, Jost Van Dyke—the fourth largest of the inhabited extends from the eastern end of Puerto Rico for 90 miles to the Northeast. Depths over British Virgin Islands—has only been lightly the bank are less than 600 feet. developed as compared to nearby Tortola in JVD and its surrounding islands are the the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and St. Thomas ancient remains of volcanic mountaintops in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Yet change that lie on a geological and growth are occurring, structure known as the including the population doubling During the lasst Ice Puerto Rican Plateau. in the last 20 years with the During the last Ice Age recent addition of electricity and Age (10,000 yeears (10,000 years ago), sea paved roads. Jost Van Dyke ago), sea levelss weree levels were much lower, (JVD) is approximately three and JVD, the BVI and the square miles and lies five miles much low wer, an nd USVI (except St. Croix) northwest of Tortola, the BVI’s JVD, thee BVI and were joined to Puerto political and commercial centre, and seven miles northeast of St. the USV VI (exccept Stt. Rico in a single land mass. Today, this helps Thomas, the USVI’s political and Croix) were joiined to explain why many of commercial centre. to Puerto o Rico o in a the unique plants and A combination of topography animals—some found and oceanographic conditions single lan nd maass. nowhere else in the created Jost Van Dyke’s rocky world—may be common headlands, sandy beaches and to this group of islands. sheltered bays. Offshore, the sea bottom slopes gently to the edge of the continental shelf to the north. Between the islands, depths are usually shallow, and rarely over

What Can I Do? Learn about environmental issues related to JVD and the Profile islands, starting with the physical elements contained in this chapter.

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Profile Islands at a Glance...

In 2008, Jost Van Dyke’s populatioin was estimated at 297 people. The population of both JVD and the BVI has been steadily rising, with JVD’s populatioin doubling in the last 20 years. Continuing development and growing resident and visitor populations will be one of Jost Van Dyke’s greatest challenges.

Island

Size

Highest Peak

Jost Van Dyke

3 square miles

1054 feet

Little Jost Van Dyke

163 acres

308 feet

Sandy Cay

14 acres

60 feet

Sandy Spit

0.25 acres

6 feet

Green Cay

14 acres

98 feet

Nautical Miles 0

4

1

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

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The Physical Setting

JVD is made up of a thin layer of soil and sediment over volcanic bedrock.

With the exception of Sandy Spit and most of Sandy Cay, the Profile islands are rugged and steep with irregular coastline. Cliff faces on the Western Peninsula (above) can reach 50—100 metres (160—360 feet).

The Bubbly Pool is a well known single topographic feature on Jost Van Dyke.

Climate The Profile islands lie within the Trade Wind Climate Zone and possess a subtropical climate.

Winds typically originate from east-northeast to southeast. Temperatures vary little. Daytime range: (25ºC-29ºC or 77ºF-84 ºF), typically dropping by only 6º F per night. Typically, these islands experience both a dry and wet season. The longer wet season coincides with hurricane season.

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Key Historic Events: Jost Van Dyke’s Early Development

600-1200AD

1838

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Cape Wright area of JVD was inhabited by Amerindians.

1853

1663 William Hunthum, a dutch merchant, purchases Tortola for 400 pounds. It is unknown whether JVD was included in the sale.

1650-1672 Dutch occupation. Who Jost (a misspelling of the name Joost) is, remains a mystery despite false rumours that the island was named for a pirate.

1672 English capture the Virgin Islands.

1717 Forgotten? A British map of the Virgin Islands does not depict JVD or LJVD.

1717-1840 JVD development was slow during the plantation era. The remains of sugar works from this period (above Great Harbour) provide evidence that sugar was cut and processed here—although not in large quantities as in other islands.

1815-1823 Records show LJVD had a population of five slaves and was producing 450 pounds of cotton annually. In 1823, numbers jumped to 750 pounds produced by three free coloreds and seven slaves.

1825 Population: 506 people: 34 whites, 76 free coloreds and 396 slaves.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Emancipation.

Many JVD islanders regularly commute to St. Thomas to seek work at the Royal Mail Steam Packet company’s coaling wharves.

A population of 1,235 live on Jost Van Dyke.

196 of those die in a cholera outbreak the same year.

1897 Commisioner of the Virgin Islands, NG Cookman writes of the island, “JVD is inhabited by a typical smuggling community, who scarely ever pay any duties, and live in a miserable state of pauperism, mainly by raising cattle and fishing.”

1920-1933 US Prohibition. Many JVD fishermen find economic opportunity smuggling rum into St. Thomas and Puerto Rico.

1960s Island residents report that the opening of modern supermarkets like Pueblo in St. Thomas destroys JVD's cattle farming industry.

Yachting tourism is introduced to the BVI in 1968. Foxy’s opens as the first tourist establishment on JVD.

1967 Constitutional reform establishes the BVI as a British Dependent Territory (now called Overseas Territory). The US dollar is established as official currency.

Conserving the Biodiversity of Jost Van Dyke

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ew areas of similar size anywhere in the world enjoy such an interesting diversity of plants and animals as are found on the Caribbean islands. Despite its small size, the Caribbean is recognized to be one of the world’s most threatened “biodiversity hotspots.” A hotspot is an area where there are high concentrations of endemic species (native species found nowhere else on earth) undergoing serious loss of habitat, putting those special species at high risk. Over the last 400 years, approximately 50% of all 724 animal extinctions were island dwellers.

Salt ponds are under serious threat from the dumping of garbage and waste, including construction wastes and sediment.

Loss of plant diversity. Development, improperly cut roads and free-roaming livestock all accelerate erosion and lead to soil loss and sedimentation which washes into coastal environments and smothers sensitive marine environments.

Invasive species (mongoose, rats, goats, and feral cats) pose a significant threat to JVD’s natural environment, crowding out many native species All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and other vehicles in sensitive ecological areas are harmful to important plants and animals.

Major Biodiversity Issues Published by aLookingGlass

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Jamaican Fruit Bat (Artibeus jamaicensis)

Our bat species perform important ecosystem functions: helping to pollinate some fruits and providing natural mosquito control.

Why Does Biodiversity Matter?

Bioiodiversity means “variety” or “variation” of living organisms. Just as there are different types of people on JVD, there are different types of plants and animals, habitats (where in the environment these plants and animals live), and ecosystems.

Each one of these plants or animals plays a specific role in our natural environment and together these diverse plants and animals form food webs made up of food chains. If a link in the chain—one single plant or animal disappears—our entire environment suffers and becomes weaker.

How to Protect Biodiversity Do not bring plants and animals to the island that are not already present in the natural environment.

Do not let livestock wander outside of your designated grazing parcel.

Do not pollute or dump garbage in sensitive areas, such as ghuts, salt ponds and 8

the marine environment.

Value all animals. Even snakes, bats and termites (which may seem noisy or ugly) play important roles in our environment and ultimately help humans.

ATVs can disrupt wildlife. If you do choose to rent one, do not ride it in sensitive areas, such as our beaches.

JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Plants and Trees of Jost Van Dyke: It Starts with the Sun

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ost Van Dyke’s location relatively close to the equator means that we enjoy lots of sunlight—the basic building block to allow plants to thrive and to form the basis of our food chain and environment on Jost Van Dyke.

On JVD and its sister cays, there are more than 300 native and naturalized plant species. Several of these plant and animal species are endangered (at high risk of extinction) and endemic (found nowhere else on earth). The limited number of these rare plants reflects the decline in our forests and woodlands, the habitat necessary for these plants and trees’ survival.

Examples of Plant Species of Special Concern

Lignum Vitae

Coral Tree/Cockspur

Tree Prickly Pear

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What Is an Invasive Species and How Are They Harmful?

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f you were to make a visit to Sandy Cay, you might notice a healthy ecosystem—birds chirping as lizards scurry through the leaf litter. Sandy Cay is free from rats, mongooses and free-roaming goats—three animal species that have cost Jost Van Dyke’s natural environment more in the long run than they have benefited people in the short run.

Our natural environment is made up of complex food chains and webs, playing an important role. When non-native plants and animals are introduced by man, they sometimes disrupt nature’s careful balance. These “invasive species” sometimes kill out native island plants and animals. One example of an invasive species on JVD is the mongoose, which has been responsible for several animal extinctions in the Caribbean. The mongoose is known to kill birds, lizards, snakes, and crabs and, on nearby islands, has even been reported to eat sea turtle eggs.

The venomous Indo-Pacific lionfish is another example of an invasive species that recently arrived in BVI waters. With no natural predators in our waters, the lionfish threatens our fisheries and vibrant coral reefs.

What plants and animals are at risk?

Native plants and animals (particularly lizards and ground-nesting birds and fowl), our reefs and fisheries are all at risk from the threat of invasive species.

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White-cheek pintails, a native species, paddling in the Cape Wright Salt Pond.

JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Animal Species JVD and Its Surrounding Cays Have Sixty species of birds, five species of frogs, four species of bats, six species of lizards, three species of (harmless) snakes and numerous invertebrates including at least four species of crabs.

Virgin Islands Coqui (Eleutherodactylus schwartzi) which is believed to be extinct in the wild in the USVI, is classified as endangered on the IUCN Species List.

Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis) lives in leaf litter. Numbers on JVD are low due to a lack of leaf litter from livestock overgrazing.

Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaethon aethereus) is one of Jost Van Dyke’s rarer species. It nests on the rocky northern shores.

Virgin Islands Tree Boa (Epicrates monensis) This rare, docile and secretive creature hunts rats, mice lizards, insects and small birds at night. Sadly, many people fear this animal that is harmless to humans.

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Salt Ponds Are Important to JVD

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alt ponds trap sediment and pollutants from surrounding uplands, preventing runoff from reaching sensitive coral reefs and seagrass beds (both need sunlight to live).

on organisms in the pond. Other perching birds (kingbirds, martins, swallows) feed on insects that fly over the salt ponds, and many ny of them nest or roost in surrounding vegetation. getation. Roof bats and fishing bats are often en seen foraging in this ecosystem.

They are also an important habitat for many species of flora and fauna. For example, they shelter crabs and insect larvae. Some ‘halophytic’ (salt-loving) plants can only be found in salt ponds. They also support four mangrove species: buttonwood, black mangrove, red mangrove and white mangrove.

Wading birds (herons, stilts, sandpipers) and waterfowl (ducks, teal and coots) feed

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

The Natural Marine Environment: Biological Communities

angroves are important to fisheries because they contain nutrients for fisheries production. Red mangroves’ prop roots provide breeding and nursery areas for some fish. They also trap and retain sediment that would negativelyy affect seagrass and coral habitatss and help build up the land.

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Mangrove areas can be found in East End Harbour. The largest area is south of Diamond Cay, and they are also present in Little Harbour and Saddle Bay.

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ea turtles depend on beaches to lay their eggs. Historically, all beaches on JVD and surrounding islands were important nesting sites.

Today, turtles have been known to nest on the beaches of JVD, LJVD, Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit.

All four species of marine turtles found in the BVI are endangered. It is important to protect nesting sites by enforcing restrictions on sand removal for construction aggregate, controlling trash dumping on beaches, and reducing the tramping of nesting sites.

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eagrasses on Jost Van Dyke mainly occur in the eastern area of the island. Turtle grass is the dominant island grass. Seagrasses provide important services. Juvenile fish that find shelter in mangrove roots move to seagrasses

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at night to feed, green turtles forage in this ecosystem, and through a mat-like th root structure, rhizomes, seagrasses are ro anchored to muddy/sandy bottoms and help keep waters clear, contributing to coral reef health.

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oral reefs (left) support our tourist economy, sustain our fishermen and help protect out coastlines during severe storms.

Coral reefs worldwide are under severe threat. Hard, stony corals (responsible for building the reef structure) grow at very slow rates, and what may take nature hundreds or thousands of years to create may take humans only a few seconds to destroy.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Jost Van Dyke and the Sea

What Can I Do? Understand that land-based activities have a serious impact on the marine environment.

Construction Sediments from construction and efuent from septic tanks negatively impact the marine environment.

Livestock Control loose livestock through fencing.

Loose goats accelerate erosion, allowing sediment to enter the marine environment.

Boating Anchors can damage sensitive marine resources like coral reefs and seagrasses.

Fishermen: find out the impact of fishing practices.

Habitat Destruction Destruction of mangroves and salt ponds threatens our marine environment.

Environmental Issues Impacting JVD Like most Caribbean islands, marine species on JVD are declining due to habitat loss (destruction of coral reefs, seagrasses and mangroves), pollution and overďŹ shing.

Since Jost Van Dyke is steep and small, all development is considered coastal: disturbing land can have a serious impact on marine habitats.

Development along the coast degrades water quality. Evidence of domestic sewage and other forms of pollution from land are evident.

Although tourism has fueled economic growth, it is also responsible for most of the marine environmental degradation.

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The People of JVD and Their Bond with the Sea tarting with the pre-Columbian Amerindians, JVD residents have always had a close relationship with the surrounding waters, looking to the sea for food and transport to other shores. Desire for trade and socialization with nearby islands promoted seafaring skills throughout the Caribbean. Sailing, rowing, fishing and boat construction flourished on Jost Van Dyke, islanders became skilled sailors.

When locally constructed sloops ruled the waters, the BVI was said to have the best boatmen in the Lesser Antilles, with JVD men reputed to be the best among those.

— (DeBooy, 1918)

“It was such a sight to see all those whelks on the rocks. Now they’re all gone.”

–Vancito George Fishing practices have changed over time. Traps were once made of sticks, palm fronds and other natural materials which eventually gave way to more rugged wire traps. Sadly, many lost “ghost traps” continue to entrap fish. Pollution, development, a growing population and overfishing have all contributed to declining fish stocks.

Endeavour II under construction, a project of JVDPS is being built to help revive JVD’s maritime traditions.

JVD Islanders are well known to be among the best fisherman in the BVI.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Jost Van Dyke’s Historical & Cultural Heritage

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hroughout the world, cultural traditions tell a story—the way people interact with their land, nearby bodies of water, and the social, political and economic circumstances, making history and culture important to a wider understanding of the natural environment. JVD is no exception.

Our cultural traditions reflect a close relationship with the sea and natural materials found on land, while the ruins of

past residents leave us with physical clues about the island’s past 800 years.

The surviving historic sites described are mostly in a state of advanced ruin which impacts our awareness of historical heritage. Furthermore, as the BVI economy rapidly changes, many stories of the people are no longer being passed on and are lost as elders pass away, disconnecting us from cultural traditions.

What Can I Do? Encourage the preservation of key heritage sites, such as the John Coakley Lettsom Site on LJVD which is currently a proposed protected area.

Share stories about JVD’s rich past with younger generations. Consider videotaping or recording stories from an older relative.

Become a permanent part of BVI history: Take your family’s collection of photographs, recordings and even funeral booklets to the National Archives Unit.

Learn about heritage sites and report any others that you may know of to the Preservation Society or the National Parks Trust.

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Heritage Sites on JVD

An 18th-century etching of the birthplace of notable Quaker and founder of the London Medical Society, John Coakley Lettsom. The ruins of Lettsom’s former residence on Little Jost Van Dyke are a proposed protected area under the BVI National Parks Act.

Throughout the BVI’s plantation period—1710 to 1840—Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke were considered to be relatively unfruitful and were settled accordingly. Despite this, there are a number of sites that are relatively unique.

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he Methodist Church has played an important role in the BVI’s development. This chapel (below) was constructed after a 1923 hurricane, but inspection shows that the original foundation predates the modern chapel, probably built in the mid-19th century.

JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Heritage Sites on JVD: White Bay Examples

Documents from 1779 confirm that the ruins once supported a small fortification on a rocky outcropping in White Bay, JVD. Cannons were aimed to guard the entrance in between the reef at White Bay.

If you snorkel along the eastern edge of White Bay, you may find yourself floating over a curious pile of rocks. These are the underwater remains of an 18th-century Turtle Crawl (Kraal) Pen. Long before refrigeration, fishermen built these stonewalled pens along coasts, which allowed them to keep their live catch trapped, albeit in their natural habitat. Today these ruins provide shelter for many common reef fish, such as this squirrelfish.

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JVD Cultural Traditions

ea fans (left) are often an underwater attraction for visitors but were once used as a sieve to scoop salt from salt ponds.

S Fishing, boating and the sea have always been important to JVD–but are also reflected in games. Small boats made out of galvanized roofing during the late 20th century made excellent makeshift canoes. Toy boats have also been made out of local woods, coconut shells (right) and other natural materials.

Many traditional drinks are associated with JVD and the BVI. Guavaberries are used to make guavaberry liqueur—a special Christmas treat. Other drinks include Miss Blyden, which was once made from the flowers of the prickly pear cactus. Plants also formed the basis of many natural remedies as “bush medicine” or “natural healing” has been widely practiced.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

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attle and daub was the dominant form of architecture, and houses were made by weaving branches together in a latticework (above). Next, daub, a mortar mixture made of crushed coral and sand would help hold the

structure together. Black mangroves, an important coastal resource today, were often used for the wattle. Today, cement and milled imported wood have replaced these techniques, and few wattle and daub buildings remain.

A Familiar Memory “Like every other child then, I had morning duties before going to school. My father had cows of his own. And so when I was a little older, on some mornings I had to get up and out of bed to help bring these cows from on the hill, down to the bottom of the hill where there was a well. There they drank water. We then took them back into their pasture and then we’d go home and get ready for school. Also, sometimes when much rain was not falling and the drums we had were not full, I had to help my brothers and sisters fetch water from the same well that was at the bottom of the hill” — Ms. Estella Chinnery, JVD resident born 1928, as told to then HLSCC student and JVD resident, teacher Jessica Callwood.

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Waste Management and Pollution Control aintaining a healthy, pollutionfree environment and protecting the features that improve the quality of life for Jost Van Dykians and also attract visitors to the island–idyllic

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landscapes, beautiful white sandy beaches, aqua blue waters bursting with marine life–has increasingly created a challenge for JVD islanders and their government.

Major JVD Solid Waste & Pollution Issues Beasli Hill garbage dump is nearing capacity and the end of its contract. A new site will need to be located. The current site is located upwind of the JVD community.

Unsightly littering/dumping and pollution/degradation of drains, ghuts, salt ponds and mangroves have a negative impact on plants and animals and are unappealing to visitors.

Careless waste attracts mongoose, rats, and feral cats and increases the likelihood of the spread and transmission of diseases to humans and animals.

Dumpsters are located near sensitive environments (salt ponds and mangroves).

Septic systems fail during heavy rain, causing unknown quantities of waste to eventually reach sensitive marine environments.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Culverts and storm drains dump grey water into marine waters bringing sediment and pollution, like this culvert at East End Harbour.

Pollution Categories

JVD Cultural Tradition?

Point-Source Pollutants whose pointof-origin and location can be precisely determined and accurately identified, for example, the discharge of waste water from a waste water treatment plant. On JVD, primary point-source pollutants are from storm culverts and drains that discharge “grey water” directly into marine environments.

Sadly, today’s unnecessary packaging often has a one-way ticket to JVD’s landfill or litters the edges of salt ponds and roads in an unsightly mess. Recycling is no new concept for JVD. Once imported items were rare and resources were continually reused and recycled—which meant less materials ended up in land fills!

Non-Point Source Pollutants are many and often arrive from a variety of activities.

On JVD these include solid waste disposal sites and their leachates (i.e. the liquid that drains from a landfill), disposal of sewage and other wastes that runoff from hillsides, sediment runoff from roads and eroding hillsides, and discharges from vessels visiting in surrounding waters.

Old things were recycled into new items.

Recalls Kendrick Chinnery, “A certain type of old sardine can was used for a ukele for fungi music.” Tires might receive second life as shoes or used for the game “hooples.”

Old flour and crocus bags were made into clothing, school bags or used to haul charcoal.

Remembers Frank Chinnery, “As we used to say, ‘Eat the flour; wear the bag.’”

Many natural materials (which breakdown or biodegrade) were used. Wist (a vine) was used for fishing lines, while fish pots were made of natural wood. Old mango seeds were sometimes made into dolls, and Nicker bean seeds were used for marbles.

Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle: A Published by aLookingGlass

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Sedimentation & Erosion: The Dirt on Dirt Sediments Smother and kill corals and seagrass Screen out sunlight, a necessity for coral and many marine plants

JVD islanders including fisherfolk and anyone who relies on the sea and the living things found there should be concerned about sedimentation; it threatens their livelihoods.

Prevents the survival of juvenile corals due to the loss of suitable substrates Reduce the amount of prey captured by sight-feeding fish Clog the gills and filters of fish and shellfish Reduce spawning and juvenile fish survival Contribute to the decline of recreational fishing Reduce the availability of clear, clean waters for swimming, snorkeling, and diving and this, in turn, can eventually discourage tourists and hurt the economy

Increased sediment in JVD’s marine environment can hurt coral reefs and other marine habitats /species.

What Can I Do? Reduce waste (simple actions like reusing containers, purchasing items with minimal packaging or locally grown foods, using green bags when shopping in order to reduce the amount of plastic going into the landfill).

Dispose of garbage carefully and make sure it does not end up in the marine environment.

Support a solid waste management plan for JVD. Properly dispose of materials like batteries, which are considered hazardous material.

Use up-to-date septic tanks.

Consider using silt fences to prevent sedimentation which has a negative impact on the marine environment.

Do not drive ATVs or cars on the beach. This accelerates erosion.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Directions for the Future

here are still choices and options for the JVD community to consider concerning the island’s future, the use of its natural resources and the growth of the JVD economy. Looking forward, the question that must be answered is, “How can a very small place (with limited resources, a centralised government located elsewhere, and a small private sector) adequately deal

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with management and protection of its commonly shared natural resources?”

The JVD Environmental Profile provides a significantly improved source of information which may be utilised to help the community make wise decisions about its future. The Profile suggests several mechanisms for co-management of environmental resources in Chapter 8.

What Can I Do? Get involved and educate yourself. Whether you acknowledge it, you impact the natural, historical and cultural landscape of Jost Van Dyke and that landscape impacts you. You should make every effort to ensure that your impact on your community is a positive one.

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Institutional Framework

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he implementation and enforcement of legal and regulatory instruments impacting JVD and the BVI, for example, the Turtle Ordinance which protects turtles from being disturbed or taken during nesting periods and prohibits taking of turtle eggs, are the responsibility of the BVI Government, however, residents and visitors play a crucial role in the protection of our natural resources. Government agencies cannot be everywhere at once—it is up to the people to uphold laws—and even to pressure the government to enact new ones.

management in the BVI, as well as the legal framework governing environmental management in the territory is important to successful environmental management for Jost Van Dyke. The legal framework sets out the roles that government agencies, non-governmental organizations, the community and private individuals can play. It also provides some guidelines as to how these various parties can interact.

Legislation also provides tools and remedies that government and local communities can utilise when managing the natural environment.

Understanding the roles of the various organizations involved in environmental

What Can I Do o?

Learn the laws and follow them.

Report illegalities to authorities.

Participate! Government agencies and NGOs often host community meetings. Voice your concerns and work together with these organizations for the best outcome.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

Government Agencies and Environmental Protection

Department of Conservation and Fisheries • Wildlife protection • Water quality monitoring of inshore waters • Inventory and monitoring of beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds • Beach maintenance (especially heavily used beaches) and beach surveillance (to prevent • • •

sand removal) Management of Green Cay/Sandy Spit Fisheries Protected Area Promotion of fisheries development Promotion of environmental education and public awareness programmes

British Virgin Islands National Parks Trust Management of Diamond Cay National Park Sandy Cay Habitat Management Area • Leadership for the incorporation of Green Cay, Sandy Spit, Thomas George Bay (JVD), • • •

Cape Wright, East End Harbour (JVD) and Lettsom Plantation House (LJVD) into the BVI Protected Areas System Partnership with JVD Preservation Society for site maintenance and invasive species monitoring at Sandy Cay Promotion of environmental education and public awareness programmes

Town and Country Planning (Premier’s Office) Responsibility for Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for proposed JVD • • • •

development projects Compiles lists of buildings or sites of the territory (including JVD) which are of special interest, for the purpose of determining buildings that should be preserved or protected Issues plant preservation orders for the purpose of protecting plants or plant species designated for preservation, including plant species in JVD Preparares development plans such as those prepared for White Bay (Local Area Plan) and Great Harbour (Civic Improvement Plan)

Department of Agriculture Responsible for developing the agriculture sector • Mandated to designate areas for the protection of watersheds and water sources and • the prevention of deforestation

Departments of Solid Waste and Environmental Health • •

Responsibility for the management of solid waste (Deptartment of Solid Waste) Responsibility for environmental pollution control (Department of Enviromental Health) Published by aLookingGlass

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Legal and Regulatory Instruments for the BVI BVI National Legislation Physical Planning Act (2004) governs the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for all developments

Fisheries Act and Regulations (1997/2003) authorizes conservation of fish and the marine environment, and control of land-based pollution

Beach Protection Act (1985) requires a permit for dumping and removing material from foreshore

Protection of Trees and Conservation of Soil and Water Ordinance (1954/1965) designates protected forest/

Wild Birds Protection Ordinance (1959/1980) lists protected birds, their eggs, nests and young

Turtles Ordinance (1959) protects turtles from being disturbed or taken during nesting periods, prohibits taking of turtle eggs

Protection of Endangered Animals, Plants and Articles (Removal and Possession Ordinance) (1981) enacted to prevent removal of coral

Public Health Ordinance (1967) authorizes regulations to prevent, abate and control environmental pollution

water areas and protected trees

National Parks Act & Regulations (2006/2008) provides a framework for BVI protected area management (Sandy Cay was the first site to be declared under the new Act)

BVI Non-Governmental Organizations • • • • • •

Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society Virgin Islands Environmental Council (VIES) BVI Heritage Conservation Group Green VI Virgin Gorda Green Team BVI Botanical Society

For a full table including regional and international agreements, please consult the full-length Environmental Profile, p. 15-16.

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JOST VAN DYKE, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS

About this Project “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world—indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”

–Margaret Mead

This publication was made possible by the generous support of the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP), United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, under a contract between OTEP and the Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society (JVDPS). Under contract, Island Resources Foundation (IRF) executed the Environmental Profile phase for which this document represents an overview of the primary output, entitled An Environmental Profile of the Island of Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands including Little Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay, Green Cay and Sandy Spit.

JVDPS Board Member Bruce Donath was a major catalyst in the realization of this project.

We thank IRF field researches Jean-Pierre Bacle and Kevel Lindsay who scoured JVD’s rough terrain for the project and research associates Clive Petrovic and Mitch Kent.

Rosemary Delaney-Smith, with whom I spent many hours elbow-to-elbow with in JVDPS’ Great Harbour Office turning a proposal from ideas on a paper into reality made this project possible.

We owe the success of this project in large part to the support of numerous individuals and agencies—and particularly the JVD This full-length Profile provides a synthesis community. While a group of residents– of the current state of the environment of Carmen Blyden, David Blyden, Adrianna the Island of Jost Van Dyke (JVD) and its adjacent cays. These documents are intended Callwood, Juliette Callwood, Ivan Chinnery, to offer options and choices for JVD residents Cecil Chinnery, Gerald Chinnery, Selly and stakeholders, and for the Government of Chinnery, Sendrick Chinnery, Wayson “Baba” Hatchett and Mark Morris, served as part the Virgin Islands as it shares responsibility of the Island Advisory Committee, we found for JVD’s future. For more information, we that engaging community members in more encourage you to consult the full-length informal settings allowed us to increase Profile. participation.

Acknowledgements This project is the result of a long journey for the JVDPS. We owe particular thanks to IRF– to Judith Towle (Editor of the full-length Profile) and to the late Edward Towle–who together with Foxy Callwood, Tessa Callwood and Beverly Martin planted the seeds of a relationship between IRF and JVDPS years ago, which eventually lead to this publication.

JVD residents helped accompany field researchers during visits, provided historical background information, helped review content of the draft profile, agreed to have draft copies of the publication on public display at their businesses for community review and were generally helpful by answering questions and sharing information.

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In addition to those named above, thanks to Alan Callwood, Allen Callwood, Gertrude Callwood, Greg Callwood, Godwin Callwood, Lorraine Callwood, Wendell Callwood, Edith Chinnery, Hermann “Bun” Chinnery, John Chinnery, Joyce Chinnery, Kendrick Chinnery, Rudy George, Vancito George, Paul Mason, Jerry & Tish O’Connell, Thad Steele Myrtle Turnbull and Sheila Schulterbrandt.

Special thanks to Jessica Callwood for transcriptions of 2006 interviews with Estella Chinnery, Frank Chinnery and Roseline Turnbull.

We thank OTEP, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the BVI Governor’s Office for the opportunity to execute this project and in particular we recognise Governor David Pearey, Heather Christie, Shaun Earle, Sue Cotton, Claire Hunter and Emma Dean.

Islands Programme).

Special thanks to the JVD Primary School teachers and students, under the direction of Principal Marva Martin. In particular, Wayson “Ali” Hatchett, Jeaneah Chinnery, Kimisha Chinnery, Catherine Blyden, Anath Blyden and Nathan Blyden were the most active youth participants in this project. These young people provide us with enthusiasm and inspiration. We hope that this document and other outputs of this project will play a role in guiding their environmental futures on Jost Van Dyke.

Sincerely, Susan Zaluski For Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society Photo Credits: We are extremely thankful to numerous individuals who donated photographic images for this booklet. Page 3: Island Resources Foundation, Page

Other individuals also added value to this project. Thanks to Nicholas Drayton (UVI), Caroline Rogers (USGS), Jeff Miller (USVI National Parks), Renata Platenberg (DPNR), Hazel Oxenford, Maria Pena & Patrick McConney (UWI-CERMES), Newton Eristee (formerly of CFD) and Jenny Wheatley.

4. Hezikiah Maddox Page 5, (Top) Island Resources Foundation, (Bottom) Hezikiah Maddox, Page 7. Nancy Pascoe Page 8. Susan Zaluski Pg. 9. All Photos Island Resources Foundation, Page 10, (Bottom) Lorraine Callwood). Page 11. (Top to Bottom) Kriistina Ovaska, Island Resources Foundation, Nancy Pascoe, Renata Platenberg. Page 12 Susan Zaluski (Fiddler Crab Cutout) Renata Platenberg, (Yellow-crowned Night Heron Cutout)

We are also enormously thankful for the support and encouragement of BVI Government agencies and personnel who provided access to necessary information, provided resources, reviewed the draft publication and attended community meetings. We especially acknowledge the Conservation & Fisheries Department under the direction of Betrand Lettsome (with staffers Shannon Gore, Lynda Varlack and Angela Penn) and the National Parks Trust under the direction of Joseph Smith Abbott (with staffer Nancy Pascoe). We also recognize: Carnel Smith (Environmental Health), Nadia James-Lord (Solid Waste), Natasha Chalwell (Tourist Board), Allison Wiggins and Kyron Adams (Town & Country Planning), Maurice Turnbull (Development Planning Unit), and Vincent Wheatley, (Sister

Susan Zaluski Page 13 (Top) Susan Zaluski, (Hawksbill adult) Walt Allensworth, (hatchling) Joshua Slayton, Page 14. (Top) Caroline Rogers (bottom) Shannon Gore, Page 15 Susan Zaluski, Page 16 (Top) Susan Zaluski (Middle) JVDPS, (Bottom) Hezikiah Maddox, Page 17. Collection of Tessa Callwood, Girl with Coconut boat, JVDPS, Page 18.

(Top) Image by Carol Arneborg (Scan of Print), (Bottom) Todd VanSickle, Page 19. (Top) Tropical Focus Photography, (Bottom Left) Katie Hotchkiss, (Bottom Right) Caroline Rogers, Page 20, (Top) Susan Zaluski, (Middle) Collection of Tessa Callwood, (Bottom) Saraheva Krancic, Page 21 Collection of Tessa Callwood. Page 22-23 Island Resources Foundation, Page 24, Lorraine Callwood, Page 25.

Rosemary Delaney-Smith, Page 26, Caroline Rogers.

www.jvdps.org United Kingdom

Overseas Territories Environment Programme