myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

This is more of a comment than a review, we went on a glass bottom boat trip to buccoo reef from store bay on the millenium 2000 boat.
The boat pulled in to a very shallow part of the reef with the bottom almost scraping along the reef, there was about a foot of clearance and the anchor was dropped.
There were very little instructions other than not to hurt yourself, nothing was said regarding protecting the reef. The boat was packed and the area we got out in had some coral around but mostly looked like a load of builders rubble, if you swam towards where the waves were breaking there was a lot more coral and sea life. At one point swimming away from the boat I looked back under water to see a melee of tourists legs trampling along the bottom with their snorkelling fins. What little coral is left in this area doesn't stand much chance and I'm wondering how long it will be before they move on to another drop off point and destroy that too. I know the reef is damaged by other factors - pollution and increasing water temperatures in the caribbean but there is no doubt that packed boat loads of trampling tourists being dropped off daily on it are causing huge amounts of damage. As a resource for their tourist industry alone this is being very badly managed. The tours are very cheap, if they charged a lot more and introduced licenses to operate tours to view the reef they could bring out less people and are more likely to get people who are genuinely interested in being careful and conserving the reef, but I guess they just aren't interested in the effort required to regulate it. It seems very short sighted and a real shame.

Well said, Richard!

It just horrifies me that tourists (or anyone else) is allowed near the reef. As I have said many times, I remember what that reef was like back in the late '50s and early '60s and, believe you me, it was a true wonder. I have refused to visit the reef since the late '80s when I returned and realised how much damage had been done during the intervening years - and that was before tourists were visiting Tobago in any numbers.

As far as I am concerned, NOBODY should be allowed in the water. Only specially-licenced electric glass-bottom boats should be allowed to bring visitors in to see the reef. Come on, tobago, show some common sense!!!

What a tragedy indeed. I did a glass bottom tour of the reef about 10 years ago (and never went back), not having a clue as to what I was about to discover. I was shocked, to say the least. Substantial sections of the shallow part of the reef were totally devastated, like an underwater battle field. Very sad to see. But I was also taken to areas where the shallow reef was still healthy, and I got to see some amazing things in the deeper areas of the reef, where little or no damage could be seen.

I've heard that there are restoration/conservation efforts underway, but these reports don't really speak much about the success of these efforts. as long as the boat tours are allowed to continue, I doubt the reef will be able to recover.

Although I'm adamantly against denying anyone their livelyhood, in the case of Buccoo reef I agree that it should be completely off limits to the average tourist. The economic loss would be very small since there are only a small handful of boat tour operators going out there (2 or 3 boats last time I checked). The lost jobs could easily be replaced with other watersports and activities.

In a way, the reef is its own worst enemy. It's so shallow in parts, that anything going near it is going to come in contact. It's a very vulnerable reef by its very design.

I too have refused to go on any more tours of the reef.

My last tour left me gravely upset because I witnessed tourists taking bits of coral and when the tour guides told them it was illegal to do so and tried to explain the reasons to the tourists (there was more then one person destroying the environment) the tourists proceeded to hide the bits of coral in their swimming costumes.

Those individuals acted in a short sighted, selfish and stupid way and I had to restrain myself from having a heated debate with them on conserving the environment.

I will not go back to the reef cause I much rather remember it as it was when I first saw it in the 70s.

I, too, was luck enough to have seen Buccoo Reef 40-50 years ago. It was a thing of wonder. I then returned to the UK in late ’62 and didn’t get back to Tobago until around 1988. I visited Buccoo Reef and shocked the boatman be bursting into tears. I could not believe how the reef had been destroyed. It was just a shadow of its former self. The fact that the boatman rifled through our clothing and stole US$50 from my pocket didn’t help matters – pity I didn’t discover it until later when I got back to the hotel.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The entire area encompassing Buccoo Reef and the Bon Accord Lagoon – say the area from Sandy Point through to Booby Point, should be made a strictly protected marine park. All boats operating in that area should be licensed and controlled by the Buccoo Reef Trust (BRT) or similar organisation. Nobody should be allowed anywhere near the reef or other sensitive areas except in electrically-powered glass-bottom boats operated by the BRT.

Until then, there’s no way in the world that I will go back to Buccoo Reef – nor can I recommend others to do so either.

I know that this is all a slight over-simplification of a very complex problem, but it is time that the authorities on Tobago realised that the island is a total non-starter as a mass-tourism destination and its only hope is to preserve and feature its reef and other ecological features. Allowing firms like Angostura to drain essential mangrove swamps bordering the Bon Accord lagoon in order to build a large resort is absolutely ludicrous. They are killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

I have to say that I agree with all you are saying Steve. I've been 3 times to Tobago - April will be the 4th time - and I will never go on a glass bottom boat trip again. I have done 2 trips, and the boat owners and 'punters', do not care about what they stand on. I believe that the majority of people who walk on coral think of it as a rock and not a living animal. This is not just a problem in Tobago. I have seen it in Kenya and most recently on the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el Sheik. Tobago Tourism should take note of what is being discussed here and make sure that the coral is protected and damaged no further. I realise that people have to make a living from tourism, but you are correct - the Golden Goose will be killed unless action is taken. Rant over........

Peter.

I would like to add my total agreement with everything stated by Steve. Very simply - touch coral - it dies ! If the coral dies then so does a large proportion of the tourist industry.

Is there an address where we can e-mail our concerns - enough people doing it might prompt someone to wake up ?

I too am about to make my 4th trip to Tobago and in view of the comments made will ensure non of my family take a glass bottom boat trip.

Hi John

I can only suggest writing to the Department of Tourism at the Tobago House of Assembly who can be contacted at [email protected]

Hi Steve

Is there any possibility the "my tobago" website can have a link for concerned members to post their views about the destruction of the reef or some sort of on line petition which can be forwarded directly to the Tobago House of Assembly.

Great idea - but I've just given the link in the previous post. This is the only address I've got.

Steve I am so green and so embarrassed.

I just returned from Castara where I spent two glorious weeks on little beach. I hate to admit but I am one of many people ,I'm sure ,who is very green to the destruction of the reefs. Thankfully to you and others, this website informs me of all kinds of things that I may normally be unaware of. Please tell me, does going out snorkeling on a boat around Castara pose the same threat to the environment as the glass bottom boats do to the major reefs in bucco and surrounding areas. I hate to sound ignorant but I got chills when I read these posts and want to do the right thing next time I return.

Lori McDonald

The Buccoo Reef Trust is trying to conserve and protect Tobago's other reefs that are in danger with very limited resources at their disposal, but that still can be saved and protected. There's a very interesting article by Dr. Owen Day. It can be linked to from here;

http://www.mytobago.info/diving06.php

Please visit http://www.buccooreef.org . They really could use our help.

Hi Lori

As with all these situations, there is no simple clear answer. The environmentalists would probably say nobody should go near any reef. Your would probably find few experts who would agree on a satisfactory balance.

The problem is worst where the waters are shallow. Snorkelling trips to Angel Reef at Speyside are fine, because the water is deep enough for the boats to pass over without damage.

All I can suggest is that you read the advice and articles in our Snorkelling section (Out & About/Activities). The golden rule to remember is that if you touch coral, you kill it.

Roger - yes, the Buccoo Reef Trust urgently needs and deserves everyone's support.

Steve

I need to be careful what I say here - part of my time here I am doing some voluntary work with the Buccoo Reef Trust! As you say, the problems are complex. Reef damage has occurred for a number of reasons, not just physical damage from glass bottom boats and reef walkers. In particular, increased nutrient inputs from sewage have been a major cause of decline for inshore reefs - another side effect of tourism.

What we should be aiming for is sustainable management of our coral reefs. In some circumstances this could mean a complete ban on the public visiting particularly sensitive locations. On the other hand sustainable development must also mean seeking to exploit economic and social development opportunities where these are compatible with maintaining a healthy reef. The economic value of reefs in terms of the tourists they attract is immense and many visitor activities can be undertaken sustainably.

The range of human pressures on reefs and the complex resolution of economic, social and environmental priorities is why the problem is so complex and why it is such a challenge to those in the THA responsible for managing the reef.

There has been a management plan for the reef for around a decade. Many aspects of that plan seek to provide the necessary protection to the reef, but it is one thing to have a plan, quite another to enforce it. The evidence suggests that the reef has continued to deteriorate over that time - indeed until the South West Tobago sewerage system is built things may continue to get worse.

From my time here, it seems to me that implementation and enforcement of planning and environmental protection are two very major challenges that the island faces. I have met many good and concerned people here, but sentiment alone will not be enough to bring about meaningful change.


Steve H

Stephen

Don't start me going on about the sewage plant - I've done quite enough ranting and raving this weekend. I just wish I could learn to deal with these issues in a calmer way and not take them so personally. Mind you, I suppose that its that passion that has made me dedicate my life to this site, so you can't have it both way.

I love Tobagonians dearly. However, they can drive me up the wall at times. Talk, talk, talk, but no action! Look at the new hospital - its a scandal that should have brought down the government. The sewage plant is exactly the same. As I understand it, plans and budget are all in place. So why hasn't work started? I think the honest truth is that there's nobody in the government with experience of getting things done in the real world. As I understand it, only one Secretary (minister) in the THA has commercial experience (thank heavens he is in charge of tourism). No wonder nothing gets done - other than paying people a day's wages to work for an hour painting small rocks beside the road. It says it all!

No, I'm starting to rant again. Excuse me while I go and put my head in a bucket of water.

Well done all, for raising and contributing to this thread. It is one of lifes greatest frustrations when you can see such an easy remedy to a devastating problem but the authorities do not seems to be able or willing to grasp the issue.
I was born and spent my childhood in Kenya and have witnessed the tragic consequences due to a complete lack of motivation by the authorities to deal with certain issues, although some areas have since begun to take some action.

It is also clear that a number of people don't fully appreciate the consequences of their actions and it's heartening to see people such as Lori taking the advice on board. It is important to raise awareness, which this site is contributing to so well.

Steve, rant on as long as it doesn't affect your blood pressure too much! It's what it takes sometimes to be heard...
Syd.

Don't worry, Syd - I always keep an extra stock of my blood pressure tablets and pop and take an extra one before starting to write any posts like that one. Anyway, I need the practise - I'm hoping one of the BBC talent scouts will be reading the forum and audition me for the next series of "Grumpy Old Men".