Cove industrial estate-gas plant.

[Terence H]

Hi to everyone.
I try and visit Canoe Bay when in Tobago.
Can anyone tell me if the work in progress on the Cove bay gas plant has spoilt Canoe bay?
Can you still get down the long entrance lane and relax on the Canoe Bay beach, without being disturbed?

regards to all.

[Ronald]

I was in Tobago last year during july-august, I visited Canoe Bay and at that time everything was fine. Hardly no peoples there but it´s a very green nice beach area.

I really hope that the areas isn´t destroyed, hope someone can tell us how it is now.

The road down to Canoe Bay wasn´t so good because of all rain, but I guess, also because all new houses and road works into that area. They are preparing the area between the road to Canoe Bay up to the Lowland area. Prepae road swich start in the middle of nowere and end in teh same way. Some really big houses are buildt into the area too.

Ronald

[Kevin Pallant]

The track to Canoe Bay is still undisturbed and Canoe Bay unspoilt as yet. But the wonderful forest has been cleared and you get a lovely view of dead trees, portacabins and bulldozers on the way down.
As for the long term future of Canoe Bay, Cove Reef and Cove Crack dive sites..........................what do you think?

[Terence H]

Hi Ronald and Kevin,

Thanks for info.
Canoe Bay is a great place.
Sincerely hope that the development does not ruin such a beautiful area.
I can understand the THA wish to improve their energy situation but wonder whether if its worth the cost to the environment.
It seems to me that if the forest has been cleared then the cost has already been too much.

Although I dont have enough knowledge of what is actually happening,
I cant see how they can put in a gas terminal without compromising the
condition of the reef and dive sites.
What price progress?
It would be interesting to hear what Tobagans think.
Regards

[David Watkins]

The area round Canoe Bay is being cleared for needed housing developement,however no forest clearance is involved because it isn't forest but agricultural and horticultural land that has been abandoned and become overgrown.The least one can say is it was tertiary growth and not very attractive at that.
David

[Kevin Pallant]

David,
By the size of the trees I saw last week the land must have been abandoned for some considerable time! I assume it was fairly attractive to the wildlife that thrived there. I agree that it may not be part ot the Rain Forest, but by definition the area was a forest "..area with heavy growth of trees and plants" . What do you say about the potential destruction of Cove Reef and Cove Crack dive sites? Is the coral and fish life there just tertiary growth on the abandoned sea bed, it may not be as attractive as other areas so it is fine for it to be destroyed?
Kevin.

[Terence H]

Cheers

I wonder if the housing development is "local authority housing" or houses for the more well off.

Ive certainly seen an impressive amount of birdlife around Canoe Bay,and it has looked attractive to me.
It seems this may not be the case with the development going on.

I guess its none of my business really.
Im just a visitor ,but its sad to see this happening.

Regards.

[Rachel Crew]

According to a recent press release, the Cove Industrial Estate is to cover 140 ACRES

A reliable source has stated that Cove reef is to be "tunnelled" (probably by blasting), most likely destroying two dive sites: Cove Reef and Cove Ledge. Due to the prevailing currents and activity, there are also implications for other reefs that provide dive sites on the southern atlantic.

I think the term "Eco-industrial Park" is something of a misnomer!![/u]