Some good news for Buccoo reef?

[Steve Pitts]

At last - some action on the growing numbers of boat trips and resulting damage to Buccoo reef -

Tobago News was told that a meeting involving all the stakeholders in the reef tour business was being planned as there were other concerns such as a standardised pricing for all operators as well as no walking on the reef restrictions that needed to be fully implemented to protect the corals on the reef.

At a recent meeting with operators, Secretary of Marine Affairs Hilton Sandy solicited their co-operation in enforcing the Marine Areas Preservation and Enhancement Act of 1970, the legislation governs the operations on the reefs around Tobago.

At the end of the discussions, the operators, led by their President Hewlett Hazel, agreed that, with immediate effect, they will ensure that there shall be no walking, breaking of corals or snorkelling on Buccoo Reef, since one of the stipulations of the Act was that visitors to the area must not get off the boats.

Other matters agreed to include specialised training for the operators, the designation of Buccoo Point, Store Bay and Pigeon Point as the points of departure and return for reef boats to ensure greater safety and compliance, the provision of safe anchorage for reef boats, the standardisation of the THA's Reef Patrol service and the determination of an acceptable decibel level for playing music in the Buccoo Reef area.

It was also agreed that in future there will be regular meetings between the THA and the operators.


It's taken nearly 40 years since the passing of the Marine Areas Preservation and Enhancement Act of 1970 and the latest action plan may be too little too late, but at least the problems are being tackled.
Time will tell if any new rules are enforced.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Steve

Sad to say, I have not the slightest hope that this will change anything. These are the very people who have been abusing and destroying the reef for years. Tourists should totally boycott these tours. The reef boat operators have done nothing but line their pockets whilst totally destroying a truly wonderful natural resource. The ONLY boats/people that should be allowed anywhere near the reef should be electric-powered vessels operated under strict rules by an organisation like the Buccoo Reef Trust.

Strong words, I know - but anyone who has witnessed the destruction of that reef over the last 50 years, like me, can never forgive these reef boat operators. Words to describe them frankly fail me. If you really want to judge the sort of people they are, just wander down to Store Bay and experience the grief you get. The hassle and abuse has become so bad that it wouldn't surprise me if they started forcing visitors onto their boats at the end of a cutlass next.

[Lisa Keith]

Hi Steve(s!),

Strange you should say about the strong arm tactics used at Store Bay...

http://www.thetobagonews.com/index.pl/a ... d=18944958

I read the above just today! Very topical.

Lisa.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Lisa

I mustn’t be disingenuous – I read that article a few days ago and it was instrumental in my decision to express the views above. However, I must stress that my views are not based on that article, which only came as final confirmation of something I have been increasingly concerned about for some time.
I experienced intimidation and verbal abuse from two of these guys at Store Bay last March. One of the two was subsequently identified by a Store Bay stallholder I am acquainted with. As a result, I have reason to believe that at least two of the reef boat operators who were present at that meeting with the government are using these heavy handed sales tactics. That’s why I have absolutely NO confidence that any of the fancy words will mean anything.

I had hoped that my experiences were a “one-off” but discussing it with various property owners during that visit made me realise that was a false hope.

[Ronald]

Yep, it goes on..

This summer I´d seee an argue between a reef tour guide, unknown for me, and some visitors. I didn´t see when it started but it ended when the police from Crown Point came.

Some deside to not go with his boat, they choose an other boat instead. I believe the visitors were from Trinidad and they aren´t afraid to speak up against these "business peoples" as mostly visitors from Europe are.
As mostly visitors feel Tobagonians are very nice, they "don´t want to make problems" and these so called business peoples are using that against them.

Ronald

[Collins K]

Most Trinidadians will not allow themselves to be intimidated by these hustlers who work for the reef boats and as a result some confrontation is to be expected when this does occur. Being a Trinidadian myself I must say I am not proud of these guys and really wish that they would go about their business in a more customer oriented and friendly manner especially with tourists. The destruction caused to the reef over the years is unbelievable and the reef as far as I am concerned is on its way out unfortunately. All that is left is small patches of coral with mostly parrotfish and other small creatures. Back in the late eighties early nineties this reef was full of a variety of life in all forms.
Would like to see how this turns out.

[GillMathews]

Hi everyone,
I am not sure if this is good news or bad news.All depends from whose perspective it is viewed really.However a friend of mine from England who has been in the Crown Point area for the last 5 months told me that in the last couple of weeks (she can't remember precisely) two glass bottom boats sank in Store Bay. I had this confirmed to me by one of the chair vendors.Apparently as all the boats were returning to Store Bay with passengers on board a very sudden change in weather conditions caused the sea to change instantly.The boats were being pushed onto the rocks surrounding Coco Reef. Life guards, jet skis,and all the beach guys were involved in getting people safely ashore. One boat was damaged on the rocks and sank and another was swamped and sank more slowly.The people I have spoken to about it were on the beach and said that they watched the sea conditions change within ten minutes.There was a news report but I haven't found it.I am told much praise was given to the life guards with no mention of lack of available fuel hindering thier usefullness. Wonder if the efforts and timely intervention of the jet ski riders who get a lot of bad press was praised.Must have been quite scary on a jet ski in seas powerfull enough to damage and sink two boats There were no injurys thankfully.It is not expected that either of the boats will be retrieved.Generally tourist trade is slack at the moment so I suppose quite a few people will be hurting.All credit to everyone involved.I know most of the people who work that beach and have always been given respect and friendship so well done to them all
Gill xx