Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Home , Anolis stratulus, Beverly (mango), Coccothrinax alta, Diamond Cay, East Seal Dog Island, Green Cay

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

This publication was made possible with funding support from: UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Department for International Development Overseas Territories Environment Programme

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

An Initiative of the Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society and Island Resources Foundation

2009

This publication was made possible by Use of Profile: Available from: the generous support of the Overseas Reproduction of this publication, or Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Territories Environment Programme portions of this publication, is Society (OTEP), UK Foreign and authorized for educational or non- Great Harbour Commonwealth Office, under a commercial purposes without prior Jost Van Dykes, VG 1160 contract between OTEP and the Jost permission of the Jost Van Dykes (BVI) British Virgin Islands Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society Preservation Society or Island Tel 284.540.0861 (JVDPS), for implementation of a Resources Foundation, provided the www.jvdps.org project identified as: source is fully acknowledged. www.jvdgreen.org BVI503: Jost Van Dyke’s Community- based Programme Advancing Citation: Island Resources Foundation Environmental Protection and Island Resources Foundation and Jost 1718 P Street Northwest, Suite T-4 Sustainable Development. Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society Washington, DC 20036 USA (2009). An Environmental Profile of the Tel 202.265.9712 The JVDPS contracted with Island Island of Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Fax 202.232.0748 Resources Foundation to provide Islands, including Little Jost Van Dyke, www.irf.org technical services as a part of its Sandy Cay, Green Cay and Sandy agreement with OTEP, in particular to Spit. JVDPS. Jost Van Dyke, British Cover Photo: execute the Environmental Profile Virgin Islands: 135 pp. The island of Jost Van Dyke from the phase of the project, for which this north shore of Tortola document represents the primary output.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS viii LIST OF ACRONYMS AND PHOTO CREDITS ix EXECUTIVE SUMMARY x PREFACE

1 CHAPTER 1. DESCRIPTIVE OVERVIEW 1 INTRODUCTION TO THE PROFILE ISLANDS 3 THE PHYSICAL AND NATURAL SETTING 7 THE COMMUNITY SETTING

11 CHAPTER 2. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 11 THE PUBLIC SECTOR 14 ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION 16 ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs (NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS)

19 CHAPTER 3. CONSERVING THE BIODIVERSITY OF JOST VAN DYKE 19 FLORAL HERITAGE 26 SALT PONDS: A CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM 31 FAUNAL HERITAGE (TERRESTRIAL)

47 CHAPTER 4. JOST VAN DYKE AND THE SEA 47 THE PEOPLE OF JVD AND THEIR BOND WITH THE SEA 48 THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT 56 FISHERIES RESOURCES 58 SUMMING UP—THE INTERCONNECTEDNESS OF IT ALL

63 CHAPTER 5. JOST VAN DYKE’S HISTORICAL HERITAGE 63 IMPORTANT SITES 69 DOCUMENTARY RESEARCH

75 CHAPTER 6. JOST VAN DYKE’S CULTURAL HERITAGE 75 COMPONENTS OF JVD’s CULTURAL HERITAGE 82 VANISHING HISTORY

85 CHAPTER 7. WASTE MANAGEMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL 85 POLLUTION SOURCES

93 CHAPTER 8. DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE 94 WHAT IS ALREADY PROTECTED 96 CRITICAL SPECIES AND SITES 100 FUTURE PROTECTION PRIORITIES 102 COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT: A JVD APPROACH TO RESOURCE PROTECTION

108 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES CITED

APPENDICES 115 APPENDIX 1. JOST VAN DYKE ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE PROJECT TEAM 117 APPENDIX 2. PRELIMINARY LIST OF PLANT SPECIES FOR THE PROFILE ISLANDS 127 APPENDIX 3. PRELIMINARY LIST OF MARINE SPECIES FOR THE PROFILE ISLANDS

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LIST OF TABLES 5 TABLE 1. Known elevations for Profile islands. 6 TABLE 2. Recent storms and hurricanes in the BVI. 7 TABLE 3. Population figures for JVD compared to total BVI population, 2001-08. 7 TABLE 4. Age distribution of Jost Van Dyke population, 2008. 13 TABLE 5. Current JVD interaction with the primary environmental units of the BVI Government. 15 TABLE 6. BVI legal and regulatory instruments related to the protection and management of the environment. 20 TABLE 7. List of the thirteen plant communities of Jost Van Dyke. 21 TABLE 8. Vegetation communities of Jost Van Dyke and the satellite islands. 28 TABLE 9. Salt ponds of JVD and other Profile islands, listed from west to east. 33 TABLE 10. Bird species identified for Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Cay, Sandy Spit. 41 TABLE 11. Common mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates for Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Cay, and Sandy Spit. 97 TABLE 12. Plant species of special concern, with locational information. 99 TABLE 13. Faunal species of special concern, with locational information. 101 TABLE 14. Areas of Jost Van Dyke and other Profile islands with multiple parameters of value or significance.

LIST OF FIGURES xii FIGURE 1. Topographic map of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay. 1 FIGURE 2. Location of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay. 2 FIGURE 3. Little Jost Van Dyke, with Crown Land shown in yellow. 30 FIGURE 4. Location of salt ponds, Jost Van Dyke and Sandy Cay. 50 FIGURE 5. The coastal resources of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay, Green Cay, and Sandy Spit. 52 FIGURE 6. Coastal features of Sandy Cay. 55 FIGURE 7. Marine features of Sandy Cay, with identification of four marine system zones. 63 FIGURE 8. Location of historic sites, Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke. 94 FIGURE 9. Crown Land on Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay and Sandy Spit. 95 FIGURE 10. Boundaries for the proposed Little Jost Van Dyke Marine Protected Area. 95 FIGURE 11. Boundaries for the proposed Northern Cays Marine Protected Area. 98 FIGURE 12. Location of plants of special concern on Profile islands. 100 FIGURE 13. Location of wildlife and habitats of special concern on Profile islands.

LIST OF TEXT BOXES 12 BOX 1. Jost Van Dyke and Tortola 18 BOX 2. Successful NGOs Exhibit … 26 BOX 3. Why Salt Ponds Are Important 27 BOX 4. Salt Ponds and Sea Salt Production 51 BOX 5. Environmental Monitoring 56 BOX 6. Impact of Climate Change on Fisheries 57 BOX 7. Wooden Island Sloop 64 BOX 8. Born in Jost 65 BOX 9. Historical Artefacts on LJVD 66 BOX 10. Sugar Production in the British Virgin Islands 69 BOX 11. Prehistoric Sites 75 BOX 12. Cultural Heritage 76 BOX 13. Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle: A JVD Cultural Tradition? 77 BOX 14. A Memory from 1960 … 82 BOX 15. More Community Voices 89 BOX 16. Effects of Increased Sedimentation

LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS

2 PHOTO 1. Pelican Cay. 3 PHOTO 2. Sandy Cay Vista, May 2008. 4 PHOTO 3. Near-vertical and contorted layers of volcanic bedrock along Cape Wright. 4 PHOTO 4. Photo taken along the Western Peninsula of JVD Illustrates ground that is completely devoid of soil. 4 PHOTO 5. Example of a well-developed soil profile. 5 PHOTO 6. The dramatic north-facing cliffs along the Western Peninsula, JVD. 6 PHOTO 7. Dry stream bed at Brown Ghut, Jost Van Dyke. 17 PHOTO 8. Sign outside of the office of the Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society in Great Harbour, JVD. 19 PHOTO 9. Lonely Tyre or Thatch Palm towering along the Western Peninsula of Jost Van Dyke. 23 PHOTO 10. Leaves of the JVD Indian Mallow (Bastardiopsis eggersii). 23 PHOTO 11. Cockspur in bloom (Erythrina eggersii). 24 PHOTO 12. Fruiting Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale). 24 PHOTO 13. Lignum Vitae is easily distinguishable by its trunk. 25 PHOTO 14. Tyre Palm (Coccothrinax alta) seedling, Western Peninsula, JVD. 25 PHOTO 15. Barrel Cactus or Turk’s Cap (Melocactus intortus) is more common on the dry coastal cliffs of JVD. 25 PHOTO 16. Flowering tree, Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia rubescens) at Great Harbour, JVD. 28 PHOTO 17. White Bay Pond, wet season. 28 PHOTO 18. White Bay Pond, dry conditions. 28 PHOTO 19. Lower Dog Hole Pond, in dry conditions. 29 PHOTO 20. Great Harbour Pond, located just east of the Primary School, has standing water all year. 29 PHOTO 21. Clean Hole Pond. 29 PHOTO 22. View of the north and east sides of Cape Wright Pond. 30 PHOTO 23. Sandy Cay Pond. 32 PHOTO 24. Bridled Quail Dove (Geotrygon mystacea), locally named Turtle Dove. 36 PHOTO 25. The Roof Bat (Molossus molossus), common on Jost Van Dyke. 36 PHOTO 26. The Jamaican Fruit Bat (Artibeus jamaicensis), common on Jost Van Dyke. 37 PHOTO 27. Dwarf Gecko (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis). 39 PHOTO 28. The most common scorpion. 51 PHOTO 29. Green Cay and Sandy Spit. 52 PHOTO 30. Brown Pelican roosting in fringing Red Mangroves, south of Diamond Cay, East End Harbour, JVD. 54 PHOTO 31. Gorgonian-dominant habitat, north shore reef of Sandy Cay. 57 PHOTO 32. Sloop Endeavor II under construction on Jost Van Dyke. 59 PHOTO 33. Turtle hatchling at Sandy Cay, September 2004. 70 PHOTO 34. Historic sites of Jost Van Dyke and Little JVD. 77 PHOTO 35. Carnival parade through Great Harbour in the early 1990s. 78 PHOTO 36. JVD men harvesting thatch palms in the mid-1970s. 78 PHOTO 37. Example of wattle and daub house on JVD. 79 PHOTO 38. Wayson Hatchett demonstrates a killiwang made by his father, Baba Hatchett. 80 PHOTO 39. A common Great Harbour site. Fishing is an important part of daily life on JVD. 81 PHOTO 40. Model boat races in Great Harbour during the mid-1970s. 81 PHOTO 41. Bateaux building was popular on JVD during the second half of the twentieth century. 85 PHOTO 42. An example of point-source marine pollution. 86 PHOTO 43. Boat activity at White Bay, JVD. 87 PHOTO 44. Piles of trash along perimeter of Clean Hole Pond. 88 PHOTO 45. Dumpster site adjacent to the White Bay Salt Pond. 88 PHOTO 46. Derelict and abandoned vehicle along the East End Harbour Road. 96 PHOTO 47. Green Cay in the foreground, with Sandy Spit offshore of Green Cay and Sandy Cay in the background, beyond Sandy Spit. 97 PHOTO 48. Butterfly Orchids (Psychilis macconnelliae). 97 PHOTO 49. A few strands of Stinging Bush (Malpighia woodburyana) were found along Brown Ghut. 97 PHOTO 50. Christmas Orchid (not in bloom) (Epidendrum ciliare).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This project had its origins in numerous discussions between principals from the Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society (JVDPS) and Island Resources Foundation (IRF)—around a library conference table at the Foundation’s Road Town office (where fragrant smells tempted us from the College’s bakery below) and a tree-shaded table at Foxy’s Tamarind Bar and Restaurant on Jost Van Dyke, where we shared the ambiance of that special place with tourists and residents alike.

From those early meetings grew the idea of an “environmental profile” for the island of Jost Van Dyke and its nearby satellite islands and cays. Eventually, a proposal was put forward at the end of 2007 to the UK Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) for a JVD-based, environment-focused project, with this Profile as one essential output. The proposal was funded by OTEP in March of 2008.

From the beginning, the Governor’s Office in the British Virgin Islands (which oversees OTEP projects in the Territory) has been very supportive. Sue Cotton guided us through the proposal preparation phase with insightful advice and direction. His Excellency, Governor David Peary helped launch the project at a community meeting in JVD in May of 2008. Sue Cotton’s successor, Emma Dean, and Claire Hunter, the Project/Consular Officer in the Governor’s Of- fice, also provided helpful assistance during project implementation; while, in London, the project was supported by Shaun Earl and his successor, Heather Christie, at the OTEP unit of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The leadership team from the Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society has been a source of inspiration throughout the project. They are extremely motivated individuals who, with an unusual measure of patience, hard work, and commitment, have overseen the emergence of a highly purposeful NGO that has now taken its place within the JVD community mix.

IRF acknowledges in particular: board member Bruce Donath, whose energy and organisational skills made this project possible; Susan Zaluski, the Society’s projects manager, who wears many hats and takes on diversified tasks with an incredible range of skills and unbounded good spirit; Rosemary Delaney- Smith, who joined the Society’s staff at the commencement of the OTEP project and immediately became a valued member of the project team, especially as newsletter editor, media outreach coordinator, educational overseer, and community liaison; and—over it all—Foxy and Tessa Callwood, whose vision for the Society provided the foundation that made the Society a reality and this project an opportunity.

My colleagues and fellow team members from IRF, Jean-Pierre Bacle and Kevel Lindsay, were—as always—a joy to work with. They tromp through the roughest of terrain to reveal ever new, ever precious components of the natural environment, always looking forward to another night of bat netting or exploring another bat cave. IRF was joined in its research efforts by two associates—Mitch Kent and Clive Petrovic—whose BVI knowledge and experience allowed us to expand the scope and narrative of this Environmental Profile. Mitch was the principal investigator behind the historical heritage chapter as Clive was for the coastal/marine chapter; we thank them both for their valued participation.

The support and encouragement of numerous BVI Government agencies and personnel played an integral role in this project, providing access to needed information and feedback for the Profile. We thank Carnel Smith of Environmental Health, Nadia James-Lord of the Department of Solid Waste, Natasha Chalwell of the Tourist Board, Allison Wiggins and Kyron Adams of Town and Country Planning, Maurice Turnbull of the Development Planning Unit, and Vincent Wheatley, Sister Islands Programme Coordinator. We extend special thanks to JVD District Officer, Carmen Blyden, who actively supported the project from the beginning with information, participation, and generosity.

We especially acknowledge the BVI Conservation and Fisheries Department, under the direction of Bertrand Lettsome. Shannon Gore, Lynda Varlack and Angela Penn provided valuable information and feedback, offered recommendations on the review process, environmental monitoring activities and available resources, made special efforts to travel to JVD to attend night-time community meetings, and donated educational materials for the project’s Environmental Information Centre. We also thank the BVI National Parks Trust, under the direction of Joseph Smith Abbott. NPT staffer Nancy Woodfield-Pascoe donated resources and provided support and guidance from the onset of the project.

Hazel Oxenford, Maria Pena, and Patrick McConney at CERMES/UWI were helpful in providing feedback, donating resources for the Information Centre and providing protocol for follow-up monitoring on Jost Van Dyke. We are also grateful to Nick Drayton, who donated numerous resources for the project on behalf of The Ocean Conservancy. Similarly, the Department of Solid Waste and Paul Mason donated educational materials for the Centre. Peter Murray of OECS provided considerable feedback and materials that will also find a useful life in the Information Centre.

Dr. Caroline Rogers, marine scientist based at the Virgin Islands National Park in the USVI, provided a particularly insightful review of the Profile, especially Chapter 4, as did BVI historian Carol Arneborg for Chapter 5 (her review clarified the birth place of William Thorton—not Jost Van Dyke!). Newton Eristee, formerly of C&FD, and local historian and author Jenny Wheatley also provided valuable feedback.

We owe the success of this project in large part to the energy and support of the JVD community. While a group of individuals did serve as part of the project’s Advisory Committee, we found that engaging community members in more informal settings—outside of official meetings—allowed us to increase community participation. We owe special thanks to Advisory Committee members Sendrick Chinnery, Cecil Chinnery and Adrianna Callwood, all of whom accompanied field researchers during their visits to JVD, providing useful background information and access to research sites.

Ivan Chinnery and Sheila Schulterbrandt provided information for articles in the project Newsletter, JVD Green, and some of of this information has been reproduced in the Profile. Teacher Jessica Callwood provided written transcriptions of her 2006 interviews with three island residents—Estella Chinnery, Frank Chinnery and Roseline Turnbull. This was particularly fitting since Mr. Chinnery and Ms. Turnbull have both passed since 2006. These and other JVD residents were invaluable in their willingness to answer questions and share information with project staff and JVDPS board members, either through formal interviews or casual discussions. We are thankful to numerous individuals such as Ivan Chinnery, Rudy George, “Baba” Hatchett, Foxy Callwood, Alan Chinnery, Alan Chinnery, Jr., Vancito George, Godwin Chinnery, “Bunn” Chinnery, Jerry Chinnery, Sheila Schulterbrandt, Beverly Martin, Tessa Callwood, Greg Callwood, Sendrick Chinnery, Cecil Callwood, David Blyden, Kendrick Chinnery, Gerald Chinnery, Myrtle Turnbull, John Chinnery, and Selly Chinnery. These discussions led to the addition of the chapter on Cultural Heritage.

Numerous residents participated in community meetings, and several island businesses allowed us to place copies of the draft Profile in public locales for easy access, including White Bay Villas, Soggy Dollar, Abe’s, The Perfect Pineapple, Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, Foxy’s Taboo and Jewel’s. Bunn’s Taxi also helped distribute announcements for meetings.

Lastly, we are enormously thankful to the JVD Primary School, under the direction of Principal Marva Martin and her fine staff. Ms. Martin’s 2008-2009 science class participated in field activities, and students such as Wayson “Ali” Hatchett, Jeaneah Chinnery, Kimisha Chinnery, Catherine Blyden, Anath Blyden and Nathan Blyden were among the most active youth participants in educational activities. These young people provide us with enthusiasm and inspiration. We hope that this Profile, which closes with a chapter entitled “Directions for the Future”, will play an important role in guiding their environmental futures on Jost Van Dyke.

— Judith Towle (IRF) and Susan Zaluski (JVDPS) September 2009

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ACRONYMS

ARK GC OECS Association of Reef Keepers Green Cay Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States ATV HLSCC All-terrain Vehicle H. Lavity Stoutt Community OTEP College (BVI) Overseas Territories Environment BVI Programme (UK) British Virgin Islands IRF Island Resources Foundation PR BVIHCG Puerto Rico British Virgin Islands Heritage JVD Conservation Group Jost Van Dyke SC Sandy Cay CCA JVDPS Caribbean Conservation Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation SS Association Society Sandy Spit

C&FD LJVD T&CPD Conservation and Fisheries Little Jost Van Dyke Town and Country Planning Department (BVI) Department (BVI) MNRL CERMES Ministry of Natural Resources and UK Centre for Resource Manage- Labour (BVI) United Kingdom ment and Environmental Studies University of the West Indies MPA UNDP Cave Hill Campus, Barbados Marine Protected Area United Nations Environment Programme CDC NGO Conservation Data Centre Non-government Organisation USVI University of the Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands (USVI) NPA National Parks Act (2006) DPU Development Planning Unit (BVI) NPT National Parks Trust (BVI) EIA Environmental Impact Assessment

PHOTO CREDITS

All photos credited to Island Resources Foundation’s Jean-Pierre Bacle and Kevel C. Lindsay, with the exception of the following: Cover Photo Saraheva Krancic Photo 2 Bruce Potter (IRF) Photo 31 Jeff Miller (VI National Park) Photo 34/Sites 1-7 Michael Kent (HLSCC) Photos 35-37, 39-41 Collection of Theresa Callwood (JVDPS) Photo 38 Susan Zaluski (JVDPS)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Environmental Profile is a synthesis of the state of the environment, near the end of the first decade of the twenty-first century, in the smallest of the British Virgin Islands—the island of Jost Van Dyke*—and in the immediately adjacent smaller islands of Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Cay, and Sandy Spit. It is the first such effort in the British Virgin Islands.

The Profile opens with an introductory description of the Profile islands (Chapter 1), focusing on their natural and physical features as well as the community setting, in order to provide the reader with an overview of “the place”. This is followed by a second introductory chapter (Chapter 2) which focuses on the institutional and legal framework for protecting and managing the environment in the BVI, particularly as resource management institutions and laws impact Jost Van Dyke and its satellite islands.

At the end of each of the six chapters that follow (Chapters 3-8) is a section in a double-column, framed format that highlights the priority resource management and protection issues surrounding each chapter’s central theme; alongside each issue are specific recommendations for action.

Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the terrestrial and marine natural resource sectors. “Conserving the Biodiversity of Jost Van Dyke” (Chapter 3) provides the first comprehensive inventory and assessment of the terrestrial environment of Jost Van Dyke, encompassing separate sections on floral and faunal resources and a further section on salt ponds as a critical ecosystem. “Jost Van Dyke and the Sea” (Chapter 4) moves to the marine and coastal environment to examine both the maritime traditions of the island as well as the economic primacy of the sea in the lives of Jost Van Dykians. The island’s marine biological communities—its beaches, mangroves, seagrasses and coral reefs—are examined, as well as the fisheries sector.

Chapters 5 and 6 turn to the man-made environment, focusing on the island’s historical heritage and its cultural traditions. The historic sites of Jost Van Dyke and Little JVD are inventoried and assessed in Chapter 5, while the non-tangible artefacts of JVD’s cultural heritage are explored in Chapter 6.

Chapter 7 looks at waste management and pollution control issues, while the last chapter of the Profile (Chapter 8) looks to the future, at priorities for protection and how a small place with a small population might participate more fully in the management of its commonly-shared resources.

The Profile provides easier access to environmental data, findings and recommendations than has ever been available for the targeted islands. It presents JVD as an island where resources and community are undergoing change as a result of economic growth. It identifies those resources most at risk and discusses current practices and policies that continue to place these resources in jeopardy. It links the healthy sustainability of the island’s resource base to its economic future, given the island’s economic dependence on tourism. It provides options and choices for Jost Van Dyke’s residents and stakeholders, and for the Government of the Virgin Islands as it shares responsibility for the island’s future with Jost Van Dykians.

As stated elsewhere in this Environmental Profile, Jost Van Dyke finds itself positioned between a past it does not want to lose or squander and a future that promises expanded growth, but with costs. Its citizens and Government need to find a balance between what they want to protect and how they want to grow. When assessing the limits of growth, Jost Van Dyke must ask: what can be removed from the environment and from the cultural patrimony, and how much can be put back in the way of pollution or extracted and lost forever for future use and enjoyment? This Environmental Profile is intended to help guide those choices and decisions by presenting information—perhaps the most precious resource of all.

* The spelling of Jost Van Dyke (with an upper or lower case “v” in Van) was not consistent in the various sources we consulted, including Government reports and topographic/nautical maps. For this report, we have elected to capitalise the “V” throughout.

PREFACE

Environmental Profiles Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts The Jost Van Dyke and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Environmental Profile The potential utility of Environ- Vincent and the Grenadines. A synthesis of the six Profiles was mental Profiles in the Eastern In 2007, a partnership was es- provided in Environmental Caribbean was first acknowl- tablished between the Jost Van Agenda for the 1990s, also pub- edged during a seminar on In- Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society lished jointly by Island Resources dustry, Environment and Devel- (JVDPS), a recently revived Foundation and the Caribbean opment sponsored by the community-based organisation Conservation Association in Caribbean Conservation Asso- on the BVI island of JVD, and 1991. ciation (CCA) and the University the Island Resources Founda- of the West Indies in August of tion, a 35-year-old environmen- Two years later, with funding 1986. Seminar participants con- tal NGO serving the insular from the United Nations Devel- firmed the need to produce Caribbean. A primary objective opment Programme (UNDP), Profiles for each country in the of the partnership was to de- CCA and IRF undertook prep- Eastern Caribbean region, with velop an Environmental Profile aration of two additional Envi- particular attention given to a of Jost Van Dyke, the fourth ronmental Profiles, this time for profiling process that would largest of the inhabited British the islands of Anguilla and strengthen existing institutions Virgin Islands. and make maximum use of Montserrat (published in 1993). No Environmental Profile has qualified local personnel and The two organisations recog- been produced for the British indigenous organisations. Addi- nised that the Jost Van Dyke Virgin Islands (BVI), although tionally, Environmental Profiles community faced a growing UNDP had indicated a willing- were recognised as an effective challenge to balance its eco- ness to support a BVI Profile at means to help ensure that en- nomic growth with sustainable the time it undertook funding for vironmental issues were ade- use of its natural resources. Anguilla and Montserrat. quately addressed in the devel- However, they also acknowl- opment planning process and edged that there was little These comprehensive Profile would lead to greater advo- scientifically based information documents represent the most cacy of environmental consid- available for the community to comprehensive environmental erations in public policy decision employ in evaluating the short- overviews prepared to date for making. and long-term impacts of each of the target islands. Al- growth. Environmental Profiles were first though much of the data included is now outdated, the produced in the Eastern Carib- A project was proposed that eight Profiles continue to be bean as part of a project im- would bring a fresh approach to used extensively by natural re- plemented from 1987-1990 by community awareness and un- source managers, researchers, the Caribbean Conservation derstanding of the local envi- students, policy makers and de- Association with the technical ronment. Phase 1 of the initia- velopment planners throughout assistance of the Island Re- tive would focus on develop- the Caribbean. sources Foundation (IRF). This ment of a Jost Van Dyke Envi- effort was funded by the U.S. ronmental Profile, including the Agency for International Devel- surrounding islands of Little Jost opment (USAID) and resulted in Van Dyke, Sandy Cay, Green publication in 1991 of six Envi- Cay, and Sandy Spit. ronmental Profiles for the countries of Antigua and Barbuda,

Phase 2 would draw upon Pro- options for improving the long- and assess priority environmen- file findings (1) to disseminate term environmental health of tal issues and concerns and new information, in several for- Jost Van Dyke and the smaller place these in a forward-looking mats, to JVD residents, stake- islands of Little Jost Van Dyke, context that supports sustain- holders, visitors, and the BVI Sandy Cay, Green Cay, and able growth. There seemed to Government and (2) to initiate a Sandy Spit. be considerable value in taking long-term programme of edu- a retrospective look at and cation, outreach and environ- reporting on environmental mental monitoring by the JVD Intended Audience change on this emerging and Preservation Society. promising island. A focus audience of intended Subsequently, an application Profile users was identified early Moreover, a process that pro- was submitted by the Society to on by project planners. With this vides easy access to data, the UK Overseas Territories Envi- focus in mind, the JVD Environ- findings and recommendations ronment Programme (OTEP) for mental Profile was prepared to will increase their visibility to a funding of a new project, now serve as: wider audience of resource entitled “Jost Van Dyke’s Com- users, stakeholders, and island munity-based Programme for • A primary reference docu- leaders. In the long-term, pro- Advancing Environmental Pro- ment and information re- ject participants believe this tection and Sustainable Devel- source for the residents of effort will enable the community opment”. The project was ap- Jost Van Dyke, including the of Jost Van Dyke to apply proved by OTEP in March 2008 Primary School. broader environmental con- and formally announced at a cepts and issues to daily life, civil community meeting in Jost Van • A planning resource for the discourse, and decision making Dyke in May 2008 by His Excel- Jost Van Dykes Preservation about JVD’s future. lency, Governor David Peary. Society as it identifies and develops its future pro- Jost Van Dyke has been re- This Environmental Profile, consti- grammes and activities. ferred to elsewhere as a “mi- tuting Phase 1 of the approved crocosm” of the larger British project, provides a description • An additional reference Virgin Islands. In this context, of the natural and historical resource for BVI government the lessons learned about its sources of JVD and its nearby planners, technicians, re- environmental future through neighbouring islands. It assesses source managers, research- the profiling process might well the current condition of this tar- ers, educators, and policy provide a fresh approach to geted environment and identi- decision-makers, and for pri- understanding environmental fies natural features, species, vate-sector developers and change in the BVI Territory as a sites, and ecosystems that re- consultants, NGOs, donor whole and to improving chan- quire special protection. agencies, and the general nels of dialogue among those in public, search of workable solutions. Additionally, it reviews BVI and JVD institutions, legislation, poli- JUDITH A. TOWLE, PROFILE EDITOR cies and programmes for the Intended Outcome ISLAND RESOURCES FOUNDATION environment as these apply to SEPTEMBER 2009 Jost Van Dyke and its neigh- As we commenced the project, bouring islands. it seemed to be an opportune moment to examine not only This document also identifies the the island’s environmental re- major environmental issues, source base—upon which fu- conflicts, and problems that ture economic growth will be currently affect the quality of life established—but also to identify in Jost Van Dyke and assesses

Figure 1.

Topographic map of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay (map source: UK Directorate of Overseas Surveys, Series E 803 (D.O.S. 346); Edition 3-D.O.S. 1984).

1. DESCRIPTIVE OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION TO THE political centre of the USVI, and Government on the island, PROFILE ISLANDS about 10 kilometres (6 miles) including employees in the north of St. John, USVI, the site of Departments of Solid Waste, Despite its three centuries of the Virgin Islands National Park. Environmental Health, and modern habitation, Jost Van Conservation and Fisheries, as Dyke (JVD) has only been lightly The island’s population is small well as staff from Public Works developed, with economic (less than 300 residents). A few and Water and Sewerage (pers. growth proceeding at a slower from JVD work in Tortola and comm., Carmen Blyden, 2009). pace compared to its larger commute by ferry or private nearby neighbours—Tortola in boat (about a 30-minute one- Economic pursuits were primarily the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and way trip). A larger number of limited to farming and fishing St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Government and private sector until the emergence of the BVI Islands (USVI). Much of the workers commute in the tourism sector in the 1960s and island’s environmental and opposite direction, from Tortola the recognition of Jost Van cultural elements remain to JVD for a day’s work. The Dyke and its neighbouring isles relatively intact; its lifestyle Government operates one and surrounding pristine waters seems less hurried and stressful primary school, a public health as a key destination for than on more developed services clinic, and police and yachting tourism in the BVI. Caribbean islands. fire facilities on the island, as well as providing postal services Little Jost Van Dyke (LJVD) is a Yet the pressures for change and Customs and Immigration smaller island, 66 hectares (163 and growth are also evident, services. acres), lying offshore of JVD’s and Jost Van Dyke finds itself east end. It is uninhabited positioned between a past it According to the JVD District except for one family which has does not want to lose or Officer, approximately 15 made the island home since squander and a future that workers are employed by 1981. There was a bar/restau- promises more rant facility on options with ex- Little Jost dating panded growth. to the 1960s, but it is no longer The island is ap- functional. proximately 8 square kilometres During the eigh- (3 square miles) in teenth century, size and lies a- a prominent bout 8 kilometres Quaker family (5 miles) north- named Lettsom west of Tortola, maintained a the primary com- plantation on mercial and po- Little Jost, the litical centre of ruins of which still the BVI (Figure 2), remain (see about 11 kilome- Chapter 5). Dr. tres (7 miles) John Coakley northeast of St. Lettsom (1744- Thomas, the 1815) was born commercial and on LJVD and Figure 2. Location of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Spit, and Sandy Cay.

foundations, rock walls, turtle crawls, fencing or the like survive to give evidence of former habitation. In the case of the largest and most visited of the three—Sandy Cay—the island’s last private owner did not build any structures, docks, jetties, or other physical attractions to accommodate visitation, except for a walking trail and an abandoned Figure 3. Little Jost Van Dyke, with Crown Land to the right irrigation system. shown in brighter yellow; the remainder of the island (to the left) is in private ownership (source: T&CPD). For four decades, from the late 1960s, Sandy Cay was owned by international entrepreneur later founded the Medical So- acres in size, lies just off the and conservationist, the late ciety of London in 1773. northern shore of LJVD. Laurance S. Rockefeller, who Because of his prominence, had purchased the island from there is continued interest in In the eighteenth century, the the Smith brothers of Apple Bay, restoring and developing this Lettsom family of LJVD also Tortola (pers. comm., Premier site, including a negated owned Green Cay and Sandy Ralph O’Neal, May 2008). Mr. development scheme for the Cay; the principal crop on these Rockefeller maintained the entire island by a Canadian isolated islets was cotton. uninhabited island as a combi- developer in the late 1960s. Nearby Sandy Spit was not nation botanic garden, nature farmed as a sandy beach reserve, and low-key recrea- A little less than half the island covers about three-quarters of tional site, always open to the (31 of 66 hectares), including the tiny islet’s coastline. public even though the island the Lettsom plantation ruins, is remained in private ownership. part of a family estate owned Sandy Cay (5.7 hectares/14 by the Vanterpool family of JVD; acres in size) lies a little less than Sandy Cay’s privately main- the remainder of the island is a kilometre to the east of the tained park became a public government land (Figure 3). southeastern point of Jost Van park when, in May of 2008, the Pelican Cay (Photo 1), about 10 Dyke; Green Cay (6 hectares/15 Estate of Laurance S. acres in size) lies less Rockefeller donated the pro- than a kilometre off perty as a protected natural the eastern tip of JVD area to the British Virgin Islands (a little more than six National Parks Trust (NPT), to kilometres north of remain in perpetuity as part of the western end of the Territory’s System of National Tortola); and Sandy Parks and Protected Areas. Spit (0.10 hectares/0.25 acres) is During Mr. Rockefeller’s 40-year just south of Green stewardship of the island, he put Cay (Figure 2). in place a management strategy that permitted him not There is not evidence only to practice conservation that any of the three but also to experiment with im- Photo 1. Pelican Cay, top of photo, is located along the ever had a resident proving the island’s visual per- north shore of Little Jost Van Dyke. It is connected population; no building spective and the aesthetics of to the larger island by a sandy/cobbly spit, except when the spit is breached by very strong storms.

selected landscape features. − A fisheries protected area in THE PHYSICAL AND His aim was to facilitate an un- the waters to the east of NATURAL SETTING derstanding of what he termed Green Cay and Sandy Spit the “wilderness qualities” of (15.5 hectares/38.4 acres), so Geology Sandy Cay (Photo 2). His vision declared under the Fisheries included horticultural en- Regulations, 2003. Jost Van Dyke and its surround- hancement, clearing of under- ing islands are relic mountain- brush, significantly increasing Since the early 1980s, Green tops that lie on a geological the number of coastal coconut Cay and Sandy Spit have been structure known as the Puerto palm trees, and making the proposed for protected area Rican Plateau. During the last island accessible by creating status. The British Virgin Islands Ice Age, about 10,000 years and maintaining a simple walk- Protected Areas System Plan, ago when sea level was well ing trail. 2007-2017 (Gardner, 2007) below the current level, the is- reaffirms the proposed designa- land of Puerto Rico formed a Now, as the BVI’s newest nation of a larger management huge land mass that included tional park, Sandy Cay will be unit under the authority of the all of the British Virgin Islands maintained and protected by NPT to include Sandy Cay, and all the U.S Virgin Islands, the National Parks Trust as part Green Cay, and Sandy Spit as a with the exception of St. Croix. of the Sandy Cay Habitat marine and terrestrial protected Management Area. area. With the Government’s The current shape of JVD is the purchase of the formerly result of the interaction of geo- In addition to Sandy Cay, and privately owned Green Cay logical tectonic forces (uplifts) within the geographic area and Sandy Spit (completed in and the opposing forces of encompassed by this Environ- 2005), this hopeful vision would mass wasting (weathering, ero- mental Profile, other officially seem to be closer to becoming sion, landslides), and changes in protected areas include: a reality. the sea level attributed to glacial melting since the peak − Diamond Cay National Park, of glaciation. Evidence of a one-half hectare/1.25 acre geological activity is reflected site occurring as the terminus along many JVD road cuts, of a small peninsula off Long particularly along the Ridge Bay, JVD, a national park Road and along the exposed since 1991, and north coast (Photo 3).

Photo 2. Sandy Cay Vista, May 2008. This photo of Sandy Cay displays the “managed wilderness” landscape that Laurance Rockefeller worked to achieve at the island. The primary attraction was always the accessible beach with gorgeous white sand. Yet, by shaping tree canopies and nurturing and exposing colourful flowering plants and clearing sight lines in the vegetative understory, he also sought to enable visitors to sense the complexity of the island’s intermixed ecosystem.

occurring in the Soils flats of the more important ghuts With the exception of the low- and valley lands, most of the surface area bottoms such as of Jost Van Dyke is comprised of the Great Harbour, a thin layer of soil and sediment White Bay, Garner overlying the bedrock. Bedrock Bay, and Long Bay outcrops are numerous and areas. everywhere, particularly where slopes are very steep. In many areas goats have ravaged the No data are available on the ground and shrub vegetation, thickness of these and, as a consequence, the soil layer has completely eroded Photo 3. Near-vertical and contorted layers of vol- deposits, but it is canic bedrock along Cape Wright (north- likely that they are 5 away (Photo 4). In other areas, east coast of JVD), looking toward Little Jost metres (16 feet) or less frequented by goats and on Van Dyke. more in thickness, becoming increasingly The dominant bedrock geology shallow inland. Other for all the Profile islands (except features found in low- Sandy Spit) is of volcanic origin lying areas include salt and consists of two closely ponds, beachrock, related formations. The “Shark and beaches with Bay Formation” occupies the deposits ranging from northern half of JVD, all of LJVD coralline sand to and Green Cay. It is mostly cobble and rubble composed of glass-bearing (Martin-Kaye, 1959). andesitic breccias and tuffs (Helsley, 1960).

The “Hans Lollik Formation” covers the southern half of JVD Photo 4. and the eastern ridge on Sandy This photo, taken along the Western Peninsula of JVD, Cay. Dominant rock types illustrates ground that is completely devoid of soil. Plants are limited to Jumping Cacti (Opuntia repens) and Wild include augite, andesitic Pineapples (Bromelia penguin). breccias, and tuffs (Helsley 1960). Sandy Spit is an accumulation of coralline sand probably overlying a very shallow, hard-bottom reef system. No exposed volcanic bedrock is found on the island.

Other than volcanic bedrock, surficial deposits are found scattered throughout low-lying parts and around JVD’s shoreline. They include valley fill and alluvium and are of Photo 5. Above is an example of a well-developed soil profile with restricted extent laterally, organic litter at the surface, underlain by more decomposed organic matter mixed with mineral content from underlying volcanic bedrock.

more gentle slopes, soils were Pool, a small inner cove located Table 1. found to be 10–15 centimetres Known elevations for Profile islands. on the northeast of the island (4-6 inches) thick as shown in near Cape Wright Pond. This

Photo 5, taken east of Majohnny Name Island Elevation feature is caused by a rugged Hill along Ridge Road, JVD. bedrock formation that funnels 321 m Majohnny Hill JVD (1,054 ft) waves through a narrow

There is no soil map for the 313 m passage into the small cove. Roach Hill JVD Profile islands. However, soils (1,026 ft) The full power of the waves is 182 m are similar to those found Old Mill Round JVD broken as it moves through the throughout much of the Virgin (596 ft) passage causing bubbling 180 m Islands. They tend to reflect the West End Hill JVD white water from the waves to (591 ft) nature of the underlying enter the pool, filling it with 148 m Little Harbour JVD bedrock, which is primarily (487 ft) white, foaming jets of sea volcanic (Mount, et al., 1992). 113 m water—a natural Jacuzzi, so to Saddle Hill JVD (372 ft) speak. Unnamed 94 m Weathering processes, oxida- LJVD Highest Point (308 ft) tion and other chemical reac- Steep-sloping terrain is another Unnamed Green 30 m tions have produced an accu- Highest Point Cay (98 ft) topographic feature of these mulation of inorganic minerals islands, especially the two Unnamed Sandy 18 m that form the basis of the soil Highest Point Cay (60 ft) largest. On JVD, from Majohnny structure. The addition of or- Hill to Great Harbour, the Source: UK Directorate of Overseas Surveys, ganic material in the form of Series E 803 (D.O.S. 346); Edition 3-D.O.S. 1984. average slope ranges between decayed leaves and plant and 35 to 40 percent, while on LJVD animal parts form the soil struc- with irregular coastline. The it is around 30 to 35 percent, but ture we see today. islands’ turbulent geological much less on Green Cay. past was marked by extensive Because of their size and low seismic and volcanic activity precipitation, there are no Topography and Drainage and subsequent erosional freshwater ponds and no forces. These forces produced perennial streams on any of the Jost Van Dyke is higher than its the variety of landscape Profile islands. Intermittent neighbouring islands. Its highest features we see today streams, locally known as ghuts, peak, Majohnny Hill, reaches throughout the BVI—including JVD—which residents and are found only on JVD and only 321metres (1,054 feet) in eleva- visitors alike find so appealing. flow during intense rainfall. tion, while LJVD’s highest point is 94 metres (308 feet); Green The sheer cliffs that line most of Cay’s highest is 30 metres (98 the northern coastline of JVD, feet), and Sandy Cay’s is 18 me- LJVD, Green Cay and Sandy tres (60 feet). Sandy Spit is flat Cay guarantee dramatic and and barely 2 metres (6 feet) panoramic views. One such above sea level. Table 1 pro- example can be seen along the vides known elevations for northern coastline of the West- islands in the Profile group, ex- ern Peninsula, JVD. Here the cluding Sandy Spit. cliff face can reach 50 to 100 metres (160 to 320 feet) in With the exception of Sandy Spit height (Photo 6). and the western two-thirds of Sandy Cay, the Profile islands A single-site topographic Photo 6. display a rugged topography feature of the island is Bubbly The dramatic north-facing cliffs along the Western Peninsula, JVD. West End Hill is the highest point on the Peninsula at 180 metres (591 feet). Further offshore is the island of Great Tobago.

The two most prominent streams − December to February: recently Hurricane Omar are Brown Ghut and the Great winds blow from east- (October 2008), which followed Harbour Ghut. Both are approx- northeast (known locally as a similar pattern. imately 1.5 to 1.7 kilometres (0.9 “Christmas winds”). to 1 mile) in length, and both − March to May: Table 2. have two tributaries. Brown winds blow from easterly Recent storms and hurricanes Ghut flows directly into East End directions. in the BVI. Harbour (Photo 7), while the Ghut at Great Harbour flows − June to August: Date Storm indirectly into the salt pond. winds blow from east to 1955 Hurricane Connie Most other ghuts on JVD southeast. August (except for Cherry Ghut and − September to November: 1960 Great Ghut) are unnamed and Hurricane Donna winds blow mainly from the August poorly developed. east to southeast. 1979 Hurricane 29 August David Squalls are fairly common at 1979 Hurricane 4 September Frederic certain times of the year, and, 1984 Tropical Storm except for the occasional November Klaus hurricane, highest wind speeds 1988 Tropical Storm are experienced from 10 September Gilbert December to February and 1989 Hurricane again in June and July. Aver- 17 September Hugo age wind speeds for the months 1995 Hurricane of June–July are around 12-20 19 August Iris kilometres per hour (7-12 miles 1995 Hurricane 4 September Luis per hour), while, in October, average wind speeds can drop 1995 Hurricane 15 September Marilyn to 7 kilometres (4 miles) per 1996 Hurricane hour. 6 July Bertha 1996 Tropical Storm Photo 7. The Profile islands also lie within 9 September Hortense Dry stream bed of Brown Ghut, the Hurricane Belt. These 1998 Hurricane Jost Van Dyke. intense storms occur between 21 September Georges June and November, with 1999 Hurricane September being the most 21 October Jose active month. Within recent 1999 Hurricane 17 November Lenny Climate years, several hurricanes passed sufficiently close to the BVI to 2000 Hurricane 22 August Debby The Profile islands lie within the cause moderate to significant 2008 Hurricane Trade Wind Climate Zone and damage (see Table 2 for partial 15 October Omar possess a subtropical climate. listing). Characteristically, winds Temperatures vary little through- Hurricanes generate high winds originate from directions out the year, with daytime tem- and waves, storm surge, heavy between east-northeast and peratures that fall within the rainfall and flooding. Hurricanes southeast. The average wind range of 25° - 29° C (77° - 84° F) may approach from any direc- direction varies throughout the and usually will drop by six de- tion, as was seen in November year according to the following grees at night. Temperatures 1999 when Hurricane Lenny general patterns: average an annual 27.2° C (81° moved from west to east across F), with the winter lows averag- the Caribbean Sea and more ing 24.4° C (76° F) and the

summer high reaching the THE COMMUNITY young population, with almost upper 20 degrees C (low-to-mid SETTING one-half (46%) of the residents 80s F). The temperature and under the age of 35 and almost climate are moderated by near 70 percent under the age of 50. Population Characteristics constant on-shore breezes. Due One-third of the residents of JVD to year-round high tempera- are over the age of 50, with At approximately 8 square tures and nearly constant winds, eleven hardy souls having kilometres/3 square miles, Jost the evapo-transpiration rate is reached age 85 or older (Table Van Dyke is the smallest of the generally high. 4). However, as with the total four main islands of the BVI. Its population figure cited earlier in population is roughly that of Typically, the Profile islands ex- this section, local residents Anegada, although Anegada is perience both a dry and wet dispute whether there actually 30 square kilometres larger than season, with one longer than are eleven persons still living on Jost. the other. The longer wet sea- the island over the age of 85. son generally coincides with the According to the Government’s hurricane season and produces The labour force comprises 186 Development Planning Unit most of the annual rainfall. employed individuals (almost (DPU) figures for 2008, Jost Van two-thirds of the population), Dyke’s population of perma- Heavy rainfall sometimes occurs with only nine persons listed as nent residents is 297 (many resi- during the passage of easterly “unemployed” in 2008 (DPU dents argue that this govern- tropical waves, which are data). ment-derived population figure spurned off the West African is too high and believe that citi- coast from June to November Table 3. zens who actually live in St. Population figures for JVD compared to of each year. Occasionally, Thomas are being included). total BVI population, 2001-08 these waves intensify into (source: BVI Government, DPU). The official figure indicates a tropical depressions, tropical continued trend in population storms, or hurricanes. Year JVD BVI growth (up from 244 in 2001), 2001 244 23,161 albeit the island’s resident The amount of rain varies community continues to 2002 250 23,774 monthly and annually, with the represent only one percent of 2003 257 24.432 general trend of dry-to-wet from the Territory’s total population east-to-west, and south-to- 2004 265 25,153 (see Table 3). Before the island north. The late Rowan Roy, a 2005 273 25,940 was electrified in 1992 and the long-time resident of Hodges roads paved, the population 2006 282 26,787 Creek (Tortola), recorded rain- stood at less than 150, a figure 2007 290 27,518 fall from 1974 to 1999. Accord- that has doubled in the inter- ing to his records, the annual 2008 297 28,213 vening two decades. mean rainfall over a 25-year period was 97.9 centimetres Table 4. Almost two-thirds of the island’s Age distribution of (38.5 inches) (Roy, 1999). Roy’s permanent residents were born Jost Van Dyke population, 2008 data correspond with records (source: BVI Government, DPU). in the BVI; 90 percent of the from the Development Planning residents are of African descent, Unit of the BVI Government, Age % of which is roughly the same per- Group Population which identifies the average centage for the Territory as a rainfall from 1996 to 2005 as 0 – 19 21% whole. 94.01 centimetres (37.01 inches) 20 - 34 25% (http://dpu.gov.vg/Indicators Approximately an equal /rainfall1.htm). 35 – 49 22% number of men and women

reside on JVD. The age 50 – 85+ 32% demographics point to a fairly

Historical Development The Dutch occupation was not, The remains of a sugar works on however, an officially sanc- the ridge above Great Harbour The historical background for Jost Van tioned company settlement, (see Chapter 5) provide Dyke in the following section was provided by Michael D. Kent of the H. and Tortola was privately sold in archaeological evidence that Lavity Stout Community College, who February of 1663 for the sum of some sugar canes were based this write-up on his historical £400 to a Rotterdam merchant propagated and processed, study of the BVI. References have been used as provided by Mr. Kent; the named William Hunthum. but probably not in any great two long quotations are from British amount. In 1815, 140 acres of Colonial Office reports, copies of which Whether this sale included Jost Jost Van Dyke were under are in Mr. Kent’s personal collection. Van Dyke is not recorded. cotton cultivation, producing However, based on the fact 21,000 pounds annually. There The name Jost Van Dyke most that Tortola was only inhabited was a population of 428 likely had its origins during the by 80 Irish, English and Welsh represented by 25 whites, 32 Dutch occupation of the BVI under the Dutch in 1668, it is free coloureds and 371 slaves. between 1650 (± 2 years) and likely that any occupation of 1672. Jost is a misspelling of the JVD was sparse and probably By 1825, production of cotton Dutch first name Joost, a variant short lived. For one thing, set- had decreased to 17,000 of the name Justin, whilst Van tlers without either fortifications pounds, but the population of Dyke is both Dutch and Flemish or a militia were extremely vul- the island had increased to 506, and as common a surname in nerable to attack during a represented by 34 whites, 76 Holland today as Hodge is in period when piracy was rife in free coloreds and 396 slaves. Tortola. the Eastern Caribbean. Curiously, whilst the larger island of Tortola experienced a de- Who Jost Van Dyke was, Although the English captured crease in population during the however, remains a mystery, the Virgin Islands in 1672 and early eighteenth century, the and erroneous information have maintained sovereignty population of JVD gradually reported on the Internet ever since, initial development increased. suggesting that he was an early during the plantation period seventeenth-century pirate has (approximately 1710 – 1840 in Little Jost Van Dyke is recorded no academic foundation. the BVI) was slow. It seems likely to have had a population of that Jost Van Dyke was ignored five slaves in 1815 and was pro- It is more probable that, like the for the most part until the mid- ducing a paltry 450 pounds of residents of Tortola during this eighteenth century. A map cotton annually. Like its larger period, Van Dyke had originally drawn of the BVI in 1717 by a neighbour of similar name, the migrated to the West Indies Captain John Walton does not smaller island experienced a from the Zeeland Peninsula in depict either Jost Van Dyke or gradual increase in production Holland and was subsequently Little Jost Van Dyke. and in 1823 was producing 750 one of the frontier colonists dis- pounds of cotton grown by patched to the Virgin Islands by There were some small-scale three free coloureds and seven Governor Abraham Adrienssen settlements, however, the most slaves. This atypical mix is indic- of St. Eustatius in 1648. The deci- notable being that of the ative of the fact that free black sion by the Spanish to dismantle Lettsom family on Little Jost Van people owned slaves through- their fortifications on St Maarten Dyke dating from as early as out the British Virgin Islands. a year later, making the Lee- 1741. Woolrich (1789) recorded ward Island region (including that the smaller “outer” islands In harmony with other islands in the BVI) safer, was also probably of the BVI were cleared in the the region, the BVI, including an important factor influencing late 1750s, and, from this date, JVD and LJVD, saw a gradual Governor Adrienssen’s decision JVD would have been mostly and irreversible economic de- to send settlers to the BVI. planted with cotton. cline throughout the eighteenth century; curiously though, the population of JVD continued to

increase. Like nearby Great the Commissioner of the BVI, Economic Trends Thatch Island (Figure 1), this N.G. Cookman, reported upon population growth is probably forty years later in 1897. He ob- As noted in the previous section, attributable to the freedom of served that: following the BVI’s decline at travel enjoyed by the former the end of the plantation pe- slave population after Emanci- [Jost Van Dyke] is inhabited riod, Jost Van Dyke—unlike most pation in 1838. Thereafter, by a typical smuggling of the territory—enjoyed a pe- community, who scarcely many BVIslanders from islands riod of population expansion in ever pay any duties, and like JVD, situated closest to the the mid-nineteenth century as live in a miserable state of nearby Danish West Indies (now pauperism, mainly by rais- enterprising islanders commuted USVI), regularly commuted to St. ing cattle and fishing. The from residences on Jost to St. Thomas to seek work at the condition of the island is Thomas, finding ready employ- Royal Mail Steam Packet Com- becoming worse yearly, no ment on that island’s coaling pany’s coaling wharves. By new houses being erected, wharves. However, the boom 1853, Dookhan (1975) attributes and those now on the is- was not sustainable over time, a population of 1,235 residing in land falling into decay. and Jost Van Dyke had fallen Jost Van Dyke, 196 of whom There is absolutely nothing into decline by the end of the died in a devastating cholera to suggest to improve its century. outbreak during the same year. condition. Another period of some pros- The island of Jost Van Dyke and In common with all of the BVI, perity emerged briefly during its neighbour, Little Jost, drifted the Wesleyan missionaries had a the years of Prohibition in the into the twentieth century in a profound influence on the pop- United States (1920-1933), which state of poverty until expanded ulation of JVD. They provided saw the sale of alcohol out- tourism development in the BVI much needed spiritual nourish- lawed in nearby U.S. posses- Territory beginning in the 1960s ment and later shouldered the sions—the American Virgin offered an alternative to agri- responsibility of education. In Islands and Puerto Rico. Many culture and fishing. A number 1857, Samuel Simons, the resi- JVD fishermen with boats found of guest houses, restaurants and dent BVI missionary, reported monetary gain by smuggling bars were constructed, primarily that: liquor to St. Thomas or Puerto in White Bay, Great Harbour Rico, an economic venture that and Little Harbour, providing a In [Jost Van Dyke] the came to an end with the repeal destination alternative to the Wesleyan Methodists have of Prohibition in 1933. But while a day and Sunday school. more developed islands of it lasted, according to the late In the former there are Tortola and Virgin Gorda. Just J.R. O’Neal, BVI businessman twenty nine children; eight 103 years after Commissioner and historian, “prohibition made of them are writing in copy Cookman had reported that a few here fairly well-off com- books, and eighteen of there was “nothing to suggest them can read very cor- pared to their fellow citizens,” to improve its condition”, Jost rectly. The school held on not only on JVD but also in Van Dyke hosted one of the the Sabbath numbers fifty, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and most famous Millennium parties the majority of which can East End, Tortola (Maurer, 1997). read sufficiently correct as anywhere in the world. to be able to use the payer Without the stimulus provided by book during the morning events beyond its shores, the service on the Lord’s [D]ay. island of Jost Van Dyke entered the last half of the twentieth The gradual economic decline century with few economic op- that took place in the British tions beyond farming and fish- Virgin Islands throughout the ing. The earlier export of cattle nineteenth century also af- from JVD, especially to St. fected Jost Van Dyke, which

Thomas, had declined as the Callwood opened the first Street—is lined with many small neighbouring island acquired tourism enterprise on the island, businesses, including stores and modern supermarkets. As one a bar and restaurant in Great boutiques, a scuba shop, and JVD resident remarked, “The Harbour. While local rum shops bars and restaurants frequented opening of Grand Union and already served the local by visiting yachters. Most of the Pueblo supermarkets [in St. population, Foxy recognised the island’s residents, who are pri- Thomas] was the death knell for business potential of catering to marily employed in tourism, live cattle ranching” (pers. comm., visiting yachts. in the Great Harbour area. Ivan Chinnery, resident of JVD, 2009). It was not long before charter While Great Harbour was boats sailing from the U.S. Virgins previously the centre of day It was not until after the devel- would include Foxy’s Tamarind and night tourism activities, day opment of a successful BVI Bar—and JVD—on their cruising tourism has now shifted to White tourism sector that Jost Van itinerary. Other tourism Bay (see Figure 1), which boasts Dyke began to prosper again. infrastructure and amenities, a resort hotel and other guest Its tourism product would focus including overnight accommo- accommodations, including a on yachting and on providing a dations and recreational facili- campground, plus additional unique destination stop for the ties, followed, gaining an inter- restaurants and bars and other many “pleasure sailors” who national reputation for the is- tourism-oriented businesses. were discovering the waters of land among “yachties”, in part, the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. because of annual island Additional restaurants and bars, events such as the celebrated as well as villas and an anchor- When yachting tourism emerg- New Year’s Eve party and the age with moorings, can be ed in the 1960s and early 1970s Wooden Boat Regatta. found at Little Harbour and East as a specialised segment of End Harbour (see Figure 1, Caribbean tourism, the BVI was The increase in visiting yachts which shows Little Harbour as not a key destination. At that prompted the BVI Government Garner Bay). Nearby attractions time, only a few private or to establish an official port of are Diamond Cay National Park crewed yachts based in St. entry at Great Harbour in JVD. and Bubbly Pool. Thomas sailed to the BVI, The island currently enjoys the including Jost Van Dyke. distinction of having more boat The neighbouring islets of Sandy entries than any other port in Cay, Green Cay, and Sandy It was the concept of bare-boat the Territory; in 2008, nearly Spit further enhance the JVD chartering (a boat charter 7,000 boats cleared through the tourist’s experience, providing without captain or crew)—as island’s port. Today, tourism— idyllic settings for day anchor- pioneered in the BVI by Dr. especially yacht chartering— ing, snorkeling in shallow reefs, Robin Tattersall and refined by represents the economic and the enjoyment of pristine Charlie and Ginny Cary and mainstay of Jost Van Dyke. beaches. others—that placed the Territory at the heart of the Caribbean’s Great Harbour has emerged as Thus, Jost Van Dyke has entered chartering industry. The handful the commercial centre of the is- the twenty-first century on a of visiting yachts in the 1950s land (see Figure 1). It houses firmer economic foundation and 1960s grew to hundreds the Government Administration than it had experienced at the and then thousands of yachts Building, the ferry dock, and a turn of the last century. The sailing the waters of the British Customs and Immigration island is a well-known tourist Virgin Islands every year. facility. The waters of Great destination, offering a tranquil Harbour provide the most environmental setting for visitors, As yachting expanded as an frequent mooring destination for which, in turn, provides a rela- industry in the BVI, entrepreneurs boaters visiting the island, while tively secure economic future on JVD saw new opportunities. the strip of beach around the for its resident community. In 1968, Philiciano “Foxy” harbour— in effect, its Main

2. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

THE PUBLIC SECTOR The BVI also enjoys a high level Government services to the of self-government, based on a sister islands, including Jost Van The British have maintained Westminster Parliamentary Dyke, Anegada, and Virgin sovereignty in the BVI since model of government. A new Gorda. To achieve that 1672, although, in the Constitution Order in 2007 objective, the Programme beginning, the colony was not further defined the political Coordinator works with and one of Great Britain’s more relationship between the United supervises District Officers on profitable overseas enterprises. Kingdom (UK) and the BVI. each of the three main sister As a British colony, the BVI was islands. The Coordinator acts, in administered as part of the The legislative functions of effect, as an administrator for Leeward Islands Federation government reside in a 13- the sister islands, while also from 1872 to 1956, at which time member, elected House of serving as a liaison for the British colonial rule in the Assembly (replacing the Deputy Governor’s Office with Caribbean began to break up Legislative Council in 2007). The the District Officers. and the Leeward Islands Colony Cabinet (replacing the was dissolved. Executive Council in 2007) is The District Officer for Jost Van charged with the general Dyke was the last to be In the 1960s and into the early management of Government appointed; the incumbent, 1970s, the possibility of a and is collectively responsible to Carmen Blyden, is the first to political merger was explored the House of Assembly. The hold the post. Her duties by the governments of both Premier (replacing the office of include: Chief Minister in 2007) is Virgin Islands (UK and US), a not − Processing requests and appointed by the Governor unreasonable concept given transfer of information from/to from the elected members of that the two territories share the Government in Tortola. social, cultural, economic, and the House. − Collection of land taxes. geographic ties. Eventually, the possibility of a political union The Government comprises six − Supervision of designated was dropped and is no longer ministries and a collection of Government employees in pursued by either territory specialised departments to JVD. (O’Neal and Cohen, 2001). administer selected portfolios. − Oversight of postal services. In October of 2008 the Premier − Facilitating visits and other announced changes in the Constitutional reform in 1967 activities of Government portfolios of certain ministers, eventually established the BVI officials in JVD. as a British Dependent Territory including the addition of − Coordination of various (now named Overseas Territory), climate change, global Government services such as with a locally elected legislature warming, and alternative water delivery, disaster and chief minister. The U.S. energy as new responsibilities for management, dissemination dollar was also established as the Minister of Natural Resources of Government payments to the official national tender. and Labour. the island’s elderly, and distribution of tourism As a Crown Colony, the BVI Sister Islands Programme promotion materials. Head of State is the British Monarch, represented locally The Sister Islands Programme A cursory perusal by IRF’s by a Crown-appointed was established in 2003 as part project team of BVI media Governor who is responsible for of the Deputy Governor’s Office sources during the last half of external affairs, internal security, to monitor, promote and 2008 provided evidence of a defense, and the public service. facilitate the delivery of periodically strained relationship

between the primary island unit (Tortola) and the secondary Box 1 island unit (Jost Van Dyke) (see JOST VAN DYKE AND TORTOLA Box 1). Such tension is not The relationship between any central unit of authority, such as that uncommon in the Caribbean, in Tortola, and a satellite dependency, such as Jost Van Dyke, will equally manifest in the almost inevitably lead to feelings of perceived neglect on the part relationships between, for of the community associated with the satellite unit, as well as an example, St. Thomas and St. assumption of inequity in the distribution of public resources. It is Croix, Antigua and Barbuda, St. a longstanding factor, and will likely continue to be a dynamic, in the social and economic development of Jost Van Dyke, even as Kitts and Nevis, and—in the the island assesses its future options for both economic expansion BVI—between Tortola and Virgin and environmental protection. A key question will remain: how Gorda. One area of conflict is effectively and how successfully—and to what extent—can Jost the continuing disruption of Van Dyke determine its own future? JVD’s water supply and the seeming inability of the authorities in Tortola to address the problem to the residents’ The Environmental Units of (1) Department of Conservation satisfaction. The inadequacy of Government and Fisheries (C&FD) on-island medical services is The Department was estab- also a continuing source of While overall responsibility for lished in 1989 and has a strong tension. the environment resides within conservation mandate to pro- the Ministry of Natural Resources tect the natural resources of the During a recent water crisis, one and Labour (MNRL), there are BVI; at present, the C&FD man- resident was quoted as saying, other units of government that ages 14 protected areas, all “For an island that brings in as also have responsibilities related fisheries reserves. The Depart- much revenue as [JVD] does to the environment. These in- ment also carries out an equally between customs and immigra- clude the Town and Country compelling resource develop- tion [taxes from charter boat Planning Department (T&CPD), ment mandate in the area of arrivals] and some of the most within the Premier’s Office, fisheries development. Much of famous bars in the BVI, it is a charged with executing the the Department’s focus has shame how we have to live” Physical Planning Act, 2004, in- traditionally been on the (www.bvinews.com, July 15, cluding responsibility for Envi- coastal and marine environ- 2008). ronmental Impact Assessments, ment. In addition to fisheries and the Ministry of Health and management, the depart- Additional grievances were on Social Development, which ment’s primary functions include display at a community meeting handles environmental health environmental monitoring, en- in October where frustration and solid waste management. vironmental education, and with the approach of the environmental information Government in Tortola was However, it is the Ministry of management. openly aired. As lamented by Natural Resources and Labour one concerned participant, that carries primary responsibility (2) National Parks Trust (NPT) “They keep promising and for the Territory’s environmental promising, [but] there is nothing resources. Within the Ministry, Unlike the C&FD, the Trust is a behind it. We are in need of there are three agencies that statutory body, established by proper medical care, schools, execute specific responsibility legislation in 1961 and governed roads and I could go on and for the management and by a Minister-appointed board on” (The Virgin Islands protection of the environment. (the same Minister to whom the StandPoint, October 2, 2008). C&FD is answerable). The Trust is legally responsible for the Territory’s Protected Areas

System, including the 21 specific Since early in this century, utilises an OECS model, has sites under its direct jurisdiction. Government has considered a been drafted by the Law more comprehensive approach Reform Commission and (3) Department of Agriculture to environmental protection currently is with the Attorney and management. Most General’s Chambers In addition to its primary mission recently, the Law Reform undergoing review. to develop the agricultural Commission drafted a new sector, the Department is also framework for environmental A summary of the primary BVI mandated to designate areas management in the BVI that public agencies that currently for the protection of watersheds would bring together many manage and protect the and water sources and the public sector environmental environment of Jost Van Dyke prevention of deforestation. responsibilities—particularly and the other Profile islands is Seven such protected areas are those identified with the C&FD provided in Table 5. (Please currently under the manage- and the NPT—under a single note that Table 5 is not a ment authority of the new management authority. representation of the Department. Proposed legislation, encom- Government’s territory-wide passing a new environmental environmental responsibilities.) management framework that

Table 5. Current JVD interaction with the primary environmental units of the BVI Government.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTIONS THAT AFFECT JOST VAN DYKE, UNIT OF GOVERNMENT LITTLE JOST VAN DYKE, SANDY CAY, GREEN CAY, AND SANDY SPIT

− Wildlife protection. − Water quality monitoring of inshore waters. − Inventory and monitoring of beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds. Department of Conservation and Fisheries − Beach maintenance (especially heavily used beaches) and beach surveillance (to prevent sand (Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour) removal). − Management of Green Cay/Sandy Spit Fisheries Protected Area. − Promotion of fisheries development. − Promotion of environmental education and public awareness programmes.

− Management of the Diamond Cay National Park and the Sandy Cay Habitat Management Area. − Leadership for the incorporation of the following sites into the BVI Protected Areas System, as these are designated in the Protected Areas System Plan, 2007-2017 (Gardner, 2007): Green Cay, Sandy National Parks Trust Spit, Thomas George Bay (JVD), Cape Wright, East End Harbour (JVD), and Lettsom Plantation House (LJVD). (Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour) − Partnership with the JVD Preservation Society for site maintenance and invasive species monitoring at Sandy Cay. − Promotion of environmental education and public awareness programmes.

− Responsibility for Environmental Impact Assessments for proposed JVD development projects, as authorised under the Physical Planning Act. Department of Town and − Responsibility for compilation of a list of buildings or sites in the Territory (including JVD) which are of special interest, for the purpose of determining buildings that should be preserved or protected. Country Planning − Responsibility for issuing plant preservation orders for the purpose of protecting plants or plant (Premier’s Office) species designated for preservation, including plant species in JVD. − Preparation of development plans such as those prepared for White Bay (Local Area Plan) and Great Harbour (Civic Improvement Plan).

Department of Solid Waste − Responsibility for the management of solid waste. (Ministry of Health and Social Development)

Department of Environmental Health − Responsibility for environmental pollution control. (Ministry of Health and Social Development)

ENVIRONMENTAL Dyke, and Sandy Cay (Eckert, Other environmental laws are LEGISLATION 1992). noted in Table 6. The authority to regulate activities that pro- A number of legal and regula- (2) Physical Planning Act, 2004 tect and manage the environment in the BVI is dispersed tory instruments related to the The Territory’s new Physical among the laws and ordin- protection of the environment in Planning Act, among other ances listed in this Table. All the BVI have relevance for Jost things, governs the Environmen- legislation included is applica- Van Dyke and the adjacent tal Impact Assessment (EIA) ble to Jost Van Dyke and the satellite islands included in this process for development activi- satellite cays and islets studied Environmental Profile. These are ties in the Territory, including in this Profile. outlined in Table 6, along with future JVD development certain global treaties and projects. It includes a number The Table illustrates that, al- regional agreements that of provisions related to protect- though important law and pertain to the BVI. Three fairly ing the environmental, historic, policy tools for environmental recently enacted laws are of and cultural values of a pro- management have been particular relevance. posed development site. Be- established in the BVI, many cause Regulations have not yet challenges still lie ahead. The (1) Fisheries Act (1997) and been approved for this law, the Physical Planning Act requires Regulations (2003) effectiveness of implementation regulations and until then, the will be lessened until the controls The purpose of this legislation is law will function more as a set of and procedures are in place to to make provision for the pro- guidelines than as enforceable guide all parties—public and motion, management and con- policy. The area of pollution private—when taking action servation of fisheries resources in control needs to be streng- under the law. the Territory. The legislation thened, particularly in a com- authorises actions with respect munity like the BVI that is (3) National Parks Act (2006) to the conservation of fish and growing and developing at a and Regulations (2008) protection of the marine envi- rapid rate. Also, there is limited ronment. Fourteen fisheries pro- The BVI’s new National Parks Act legal authority for protecting tected areas were declared and Regulations provide a for- wildlife and critical ecosystems under the 2003 Regulations, one ward-looking framework for pro- and habitat outside of formally of which is at Green Cay. tected area management in protected areas. the Territory. The legislation in- Under the legislation, the Minis- corporates modern concepts of Lastly, the future of effective ter also has broad authority to protected area management, resource protection and envi- control pollution in the marine including an internationally rec- ronmental management in the environment from any source, ognised system of categories for BVI will depend on Govern- including land-based sources. designating protected areas. ment’s commitment to full Sandy Cay is the first site to be implementation of existing laws The legislation also authorises declared under the new Act and full support for the authority the Minister to declare by Order and will be managed as a Habi- of those agencies executing the any type of fish as a protected tat and Species Management laws. species. Pursuant to this author- Area (section 15(d) of the Act), ity, the Fisheries Regulations which signifies a protected area prohibit disturbing or interfering managed mainly for conserva- with turtle eggs, turtle nests, and tion through management in- any turtle that is nesting; turtles tervention. have been known to nest on Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van

Table 6. BVI legal and regulatory instruments related to the protection and management of the environment. *

NATIONAL LEGISLATION

PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT Physical Planning Act (2004) See text for details. CONTROL (no regulations to date)

COASTAL RESOURCES Fisheries Act (1997) See text for details. Fisheries Regulations (2003) See text for details. Beach Protection Act (1985) The Act requires a permit for dumping on and removal of material from the foreshore and removing any natural barriers against the sea.

AGRICULTURE Protection of Trees and Conservation of Soil Authorises designation of protected forest areas, and Water Ordinance (1954/1965) protected water areas, and protected trees. Seven protected areas have been established under this Ordinance, none on JVD.

PROTECTED AREAS National Parks Act (2006) See text for details. National Parks Regulations (2008) See text for details.

WILDLIFE Wild Birds Protection Ordinance (1959/1980) The law protects listed birds, their eggs, nests, and young. Bird Sanctuaries Orders in 1959 and 1997 designated 20 bird sanctuaries in the Territory (none on JVD), which provide full protection for all species of wild birds within the sanctuaries. Turtles Ordinance (1959) The Ordinance protects turtles from being disturbed or taken during nesting periods and prohibits the taking of turtle eggs, but does not address general protection of habitat for turtle nesting or feeding grounds. Protection of Endangered Animals, Plants, This law was enacted specifically to prohibit the and Articles (Removal and Possession) removal without a license of listed corals; it does Ordinance (1981) not address protection of coral reefs in-situ.

WASTE MANAGEMENT Public Health Ordinance (1967) Authorises regulations to prevent, abate, and control environmental pollution. Environmental pollution is not defined, and regulations providing environmental standards have not been enacted.

NATIONAL POLICY

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY St. George’s Declaration of Principles for The Declaration was signed by the Chief Minister, Environmental Sustainability in the OECS on behalf of the Government, in 2001. The (July 25, 2001) document contains 21 Principles and recognises, among other things, the need for an integrated approach to managing land and marine areas as a single unit. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY British Virgin Islands Environment Charter Guiding principles for the UK Government, Signed by UK and BVI Governments Government of the BVI, and the people of the (September 26, 2001) BVI.

REGIONAL AGREEMENTS

MARINE ENVIRONMENT Cartagena Convention, commonly known The Convention encourages Contracting Parties as the Caribbean Regional Seas Agreement, to undertake agreements and protocols for the came into force in 1986 and was extended to protection of the marine environment in the the BVI in 1987 region.

GLOBAL TREATIES

BIODIVERSITY Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), The Convention contains a series of far-reaching extended to the BVI in 1994 obligations related to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.

WETLANDS Convention on Wetlands of International This international Convention was extended to Importance especially for Waterfowl Habitat the BVI in 1999 with the acceptance by the (1971), also known as Ramsar Ramsar Secretariat of the BVI’s application to list the Western Salt Ponds of Anegada as a “wetland of international importance especially for waterfowl”. One of the obligations triggered by the Convention is that the BVI promote wise use of all wetlands within the Territory.

MIGRATORY SPECIES Convention on Migratory Species (1983) The Parties to the Convention acknowledge the also known as the Bonn Convention, importance of migratory species being conserved extended to the BVI in 1985 and the need to take action to avoid any migratory species becoming endangered.

LAW OF THE SEA United Nations Convention on the Law Part XII of the Convention (“Protection and of the Sea (1982) Preservation of the Marine Environment”) sets out Convention came into force in 1994, a fundamental obligation of the BVI to protect was ratified by the UK and extended to and preserve its marine environment, and to the BVI in 1997 take all measures necessary to prevent, reduce, and control pollution of the marine environment from any source.

TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES Convention on International Trade in Requires national legislation as the Convention is Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora not self-executing. See above (National (CITES) Legislation section of this Table), the Protection Convention entered into force in 1975, of Endangered Animals, Plants, and Articles extended to the BVI in 1976 (Removal and Possession) Ordinance, which is outdated and does not fully comply as CITES legislation. Additionally, the BVI does not have general wildlife conservation legislation to reinforce compliance.

* For a more detailed discussion, see Lausche (2005).

ENVIRONMENTAL NGOs 1980s and into the1990s, among environmental agenda was the (NON-GOVERNMENT them, the BVI Historical Society Association of Reef Keepers ORGANISATIONS) and the BVI Botanic Society. (ARK). Founded in the late However, none have survived 1990s, ARK was dedicated to as active organisations today promoting the conservation In the area of the environment, and none displayed—when and preservation of the marine the NGO sector in the BVI has active—a broad environmental environment. However, its not been particularly vibrant, agenda. Instead, the pro- marine-based focus soon broadly based, or long-lasting grammatic focus was a single expanded, and the organisa- —particularly when compared “cause” (e.g., the Botanical tion became known not only for to non-profit, private-sector Gardens) or a single issue (e.g., its annual coral reef monitoring conservation organisations seen the preservation of historical exercise (Reef Check), but also elsewhere in the region. and archaeological resources). for its non-partisan voice on In the BVI, a few conservation- One NGO that attempted to behalf of environmental issues focused NGOs evolved in the take on a more broadly based

that extended beyond the culture,” which the group More recently within this marine sector. maintains are threatened by organisational mix, two new widespread physical groups have emerged: the first ARK began to take on a variety development in the Territory in Virgin Gorda called Virgin of environmental activities and (see Mission Statement at Gorda Green Team, which is programmes which, in larger www.bvihcg.com). Through its affiliated with the Clean Up the countries, might have been website, the organisation World Programme and whose dispersed among several NGOs. provides information about mission focuses on keeping An offshoot of ARK was a pending development projects Virgin Gorda and its marine subsidiary programme that in the BVI and about eco- environment clean and, the became known as Island friendly, sustainable solutions. second, Green VI, founded in Erosion, a collaboration of Tortola to help eliminate solid environmentalists and business At the present time, VIEC is waste in the Territory. sector interests—e.g., building primarily a single-issue NGO; in contractors, architects, and this case, its objective is to turn The environmental NGO in Jost engineers—who sought, around Government support for Van Dyke—the Jost Van Dykes together, to promote best a mega-resort development at (BVI) Preservation Society—is management practices in Beef Island on the eastern end new, yet it is also old. In about construction to reduce soil of Tortola. In July of 2007, VIEC 1992, Foxy Callwood, a busi- erosion and sediment run-off. initiated legal action seeking nessman in Great Harbour, launched the idea for a Both ARK and Island Erosion Preservation Society with fell victim to a not atypical his wife, Tessa, and other phenomenon seen in many island residents who small organisations, particu- hoped to preserve the larly those staffed primarily island’s unique environ- by volunteers—they quickly ment and traditions. become over-extended, over-committed, and over- After a period of relative exhausted. ARK has been inactivity throughout most mostly non-operational for of the 1990s, the Society the last three years, and has been revived, with its Island Erosion as an legal establishment as a organised initiative has BVI not-for-profit organisa- disappeared. Photo 8. tion taking place in July of Sign outside of the office of the 2004. It now boasts an of- Jost Van Dykes Preservation Society in At about the same time that Great Harbour, JVD. fice and projects manager ARK was moving off-stage as based in Great Harbour an institutional voice for and a new community- environmental issues, two based research and edu- new NGOs emerged: the BVI judicial review of the Govern- cation programme and project Heritage Conservation Group ment’s decision to grant staff funded by the UK’s Over- (BVIHCG) and the Virgin Islands planning approval to the Beef seas Territories Environment Pro- Environmental Council (VIEC). Island Development Project. gramme. The case is still pending in the BVIHCG is an association led by courts, but its outcome could Although focused on the BVI citizens and residents and very well become a landmark environment of Jost Van Dyke supported by visitors, all of ruling, not only in the BVI but in and its satellite islands, the whom “are passionate about the Caribbean. Society may, as it develops, the preservation of the BVI’s elect to seek assistance from or natural resources, history and work collaboratively with other

NGOs in the Territory who share similar goals. Its programme Box 2 objectives may change with Successful NGOs Exhibit … time; its leadership may not include the same persons • a sound management capacity tomorrow as today. Yet, as • focused leadership, particularly in the early years of Island Resources Foundation has development learned during its 37-year history • ability to adapt to change by growing incrementally in the Caribbean, there is a body of accumulated wisdom • a limited number of connected projects already available to help the • creative funding strategies to meet core costs Society as it grows and • a people-centered growth style changes.

As summarised over a decade ago in a Foundation publication on NGO development in the Eastern Caribbean (Towle, 1995), successful NGOs often demonstrate certain common characteristics, and the JVD Society might focus on these (Box 2) as it seeks to strengthen its institutional potential.

3. CONSERVING THE BIODIVERSITY* OF JOST VAN DYKE

This chapter is based on prelimi- are identified as areas nary field work and research carried out on Jost Van Dyke and where exceptional other Profile islands in July and concentrations of en- October of 2008 by IRF scien- demic (native) species tists Kevel C. Lindsay and Jean- Pierre Bacle. Unless otherwise are undergoing ex- noted, the findings presented are ceptional loss of habi- based on IRF’s 2008 field studies tat, thus putting these and analysis. species at great risk.

Few areas of comparable size This chapter of the anywhere in the world are en- Environmental Profile dowed with a floral and faunal will look at one small heritage as diverse and as in- cluster of islands in the teresting as the plants and ani- wider Caribbean re- mals found on the Caribbean’s Photo 9. gion to examine spe- assemblage of islands. For na- A lone Tyre or Thatch Palm (Coccothrinax alta) cies diversity and terrestrial towering along the Western Peninsula turalists, however, the region biodiversity as they are of Jost Van Dyke. can be a difficult taxonomic, reflected in the floral and ecologic and biogeographic faunal heritage of Jost puzzle, in part because of the Van Dyke and its neighbouring its lush wet landscape of ferns, region’s checkered geologic cays and islets. large towering trees along the past, the intermix of high and steep ghuts and a myriad of low, wet and dry, volcanic and exotic-looking species, the flora limestone islands, and in part FLORAL HERITAGE of Jost may leave the observer because of the proximity of— somewhat disappointed. and species input from—the Walking along the main ridge of islands of the Greater Antilles to The landscape of Jost Van Dyke Jost Van Dyke, an observer may the north and the South Ameri- that is visible today bears little enjoy the spectacular views of can mainland to the south. resemblance to the island of the islands of the BVI stretching 500 years ago. Over the many to the horizon in the east and to The small size of Caribbean is- intervening decades, the origi- the U.S. Virgins in the south and lands often belies the rich biodi- nal evergreen and semi-green west. The walk is pleasant, versity these landscapes sup- forests of the upper slopes, the though steep in some areas, port. Standard assessment me- dry forests of the lower coastal and the sounds of birds and the thodologies can obscure the areas and the woodlands with occasional tree frog add to the high density of insular biodiver- their thousands of waving natural theatre of the place. sity. However, the global con- Thatch (Tyre) Palms servation community now ac- (Coccothrinax alta) (Photo 9) But few may be impressed by knowledges that insular regions, have given way to open grassy the vegetation of the island. like the Caribbean, are among areas, human settlements and a Compared to the forests of the most threatened biodiversity few remaining tracks of forests, Sage Mountain on Tortola, with hotspots in the world. Hotspots albeit quite degraded.

* Biodiversity, short for biological diversity, refers to the variety and variability (that is, the diversity) of animals, plants, ecosystems, ecosystem functions, genetic diversity and landscapes in a given area. The most frequent measure of biological diversity is a list of the species occurring within an area (species diversity), but the concept of diversity can also refer to the gene pool of a given species (genetic diversity) or to the habitats (ecosystem diversity) where that species occurs.

On the steep northern slopes of term goal was to encourage the ditionally, some community JVD and the rocky uplands of growth of a virtually natural setting types are not indigenous to the Little Jost and Green Cay, the with as few non-natural distractions islands, for example, much of combination of goats, loose as possible (Bacle and Towle, 2008). the pasture and vegetation on sandy soils and seasonal rains the slopes above Great Harbour have resulted in the loss of rich Vegetation Communities and Little Harbour or the vege- soils; in some areas, severe ero- tation communities found sion has set in. Today, goats are There are 13 terrestrial vegeta- around homesteads and hotels. the main agents of change af- tion or plant communities found fecting the landscapes of Jost today on Jost Van Dyke and its Some of these communities are Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, neighbouring islands (Table 7). naturally uncommon to rare, and Green Cay. Throughout These communities have all meaning limited in size and the three islands, much of the undergone visible change— distribution. Communities such remaining forest has lost its un- human- or livestock-induced— as beach, wetlands, natural derstory as the free-roaming over the last 500 years of grassland, semi-deciduous forest animals have eaten most of the colonisation, although the and gallery semi-deciduous edible growth. In many areas, Amerindian peoples undoub- forest were always rare and even the leaf litter is gone. One tedly also had some impact on therefore more vulnerable to local resident (pers. comm., native vegetation. human-related activities. Vancito George, June 2009) re- Continued adverse impact on members how proud people these communities may Table 7. used to be of their Guinea Grass List of the thirteen plant communities threaten their very existence as and that JVD was once all of Jost Van Dyke. well as the species of animals grass. that depend on them. Semi-deciduous Mixed Dry Forest Shrubland In contrast, Sandy Cay—which is The plant communities of the Gallery Semi- Pasture/Grassland goat free— displays a much deciduous Forest Profile islands are described in healthier flora. The island’s Table 8 (employing the vegeta- Drought- former owner, Laurance S. deciduous Dry Rock Pavement tion classification system from Rockefeller, sought to maintain Forest CDC, 2004). the 14-acre cay as a kind of Semi-deciduous Beach “insular garden” that blended Woodland (sand, cobblestone, the island’s mostly intact, rubble/coral) A Great Diversity of Plants coastal dry tropical forest vegetation with horticulture, Coastal Hedge Wetlands For their size, Jost Van Dyke and landscape architecture and Built Areas the other Profile islands display a conservation. His approach Sclerophyllous (gardens, cultivars, diversity of plants. Together, the Evergreen ornamentals) was: Shrubland islands host at least 332 plant species, of which approximately

… to enhance both the substance Thicket/Scrub 84 percent are native and and image of the island by naturalised species (see optimizing vistas to surrounding Appendix 2). Because of its size islands, nurturing and exposing Much of the vegetative land- and elevation, JVD is the most naturally colorful flowering plants, scape of Jost Van Dyke and the diverse and has most of these and clearing sight lines in the neighbouring islands is second- species, but all the islands offer vegetative understory. The ongoing ary in nature, meaning it has a beautiful array of Virgin objective was to augment the undergone tremendous canopy effect, enabling a visitor to Islands’ species, some of which changes in species composi- sense the complexity of the are quite rare. intermixed natural plant, tree and tion, structure and ecology over wildlife communities that constitute the years as a result of human the island’s ecosystem. The long- intervention and activities. Ad-

Table 8. Vegetation communities of Jost Van Dyke and the satellite Islands.

Vegetation Community Location Brief Description Type

Found on the steep ridge between A rare community limited to the highest peaks on the island where Belle Vue Hill and Roach Hill, moisture and humidity levels seem to be at their greatest. This plant from Spring Hill to Majohnny Hill, community consists of a mix of evergreen (about 25%) and and from Majohnny Hill deciduous (about 75%) tree species. Semi-deciduous to Man o’ War Hill Tallest and most dominant tree species include: Turpentine (Bursera Forest simaruba), Genip (Melicoccus bijugatus), Manjacks (Cordia spp.), Pigeon Berry (Bourreria succulenta), Fishpoison (Piscidia carthagenensis), Water Mampoo (Pisonia subcordata), Black Mampoo (Guapira fragrans), Autograph Tree (Clusia rosea) and White Cedar (Tabebuia heterophylla.

In the understory, especially on large boulders, are Anthurium crenata, the orchid Epidendrum ciliare and the bromeliad Aechmea lingulata.

Found along Brown, North Side Bay, and Similar to Semi-deciduous Forest (see above), it is found along steep Gallery Semi- Saddle Bay ghuts on Jost Van Dyke, and ghuts where, given the higher humidity and moisture availability, the deciduous Forest the upper reaches of “The Ghut” that trees grow a bit taller than usual. drains into Great Harbour

Found on mid-slopes of the northern This community is dominated by deciduous species (up to 75% or Drought- side of Jost Van Dyke, more) such as B. simaruba and Pisonia spp. deciduous Dry and on the eastern slopes of This is the most dominant forest type on the island of Jost Van Dyke. Forest Roach Hill and some small patches at Western End Hill

In patches throughout Jost Van Dyke and An open tree canopy community sometimes interspersed with Little Jost on abandoned pasture and shrubland. Trees provide 25%-60% of the land cover and agriculture/pasture lands; on Jost, found include many native and naturalised plant species. Semi-deciduous above Great Harbour and White Bay, and Woodland in small patches on the lower slopes of Little Jost Van Dyke

Found on the lower Found on lower steep coastal slopes exposed to high winds and salt northern-facing slopes of spray, which inhibit the growth to a low sculpted hedge (hence the JVD and Little JVD name). Most of the species in this community are evergreen types Coastal (75%) found widely throughout the island across many other plant Hedge communities, and under normal circumstances these species would grow taller.

Small patches on Jost Van Dyke, Plants in this community are usually thorny, have small leaves and including at West End Hill (north side), display sclerophylly (stunted growth due to wind exposure and dry Sclerophyllous East End, and east of Roach Hill conditions). The plants have hard leaves (which allows the leaves to Evergreen stay stiff even during severe dry periods) and short internodes Shrubland On Little Jost, found in small scattered patches between leaf and stems. Deciduous species may be more common throughout the island (75%) as compared to evergreens (25%).

Vegetation Community Location Brief Description Type

On Jost Van Dyke, at East End, Low shrubby vegetation, often with “thorny” interlocking branches, on slopes above East End Harbour vines and scandent growths, forming thick, sometimes impenetrable and in small patches ground cover. May include both native scrub and secondary above Great Harbour communities and a number of introduced species.

On Little Jost, On JVD and Little Jost, the ground may be covered by dense cover Thicket/Scrub above Machioneel Bay of the introduced Bromelia pinguin. Other species may include Croton spp., Lantana spp., Leucaena leucocephala and Cassine xylocarpa.

This community may actually be an early stage of a taller more mature plant community.

On Jost Van Dyke, in small patches Somewhat similar to the above community type (and may on the north-facing slopes; small integrate), but characterised by a mixture of evergreen and patches on the southern slopes of West deciduous species, including cacti and other succulent thorny End Hill and on the East End species.

On Little Jost, on the north-facing slopes The native agave (Agave missionum) is characteristic of this Mixed Dry and small patches at Machioneel Bay and community, although in recent years, the species has seriously Shrubland the eastern end of the island declined due to an attack of the introduced Sisal Weevil (Scyphophorus acupunctatus), native to Mexico. On Green Cay, small degraded patches on western slopes

On Sandy Cay, on northern summit of the island

On Jost Van Dyke, above This community type includes grass and forb plant vegetation Great Harbour, along the main growing on abandoned agricultural and cleared lands, as well as Ridge and scattered patches throughout livestock pastures. the island In the past, these islands would have included native grasslands, but Pasture/ On Little Jost, in scattered patches along the goats have likely destroyed these. Grassland or near the coast and eastern end of the island

On Sandy Cay, along main ridge and small patches near the shore

Limited to the rocky outcrops and coastal cliffs. The vegetation is usually sparse, sometimes covering less than 10% of the surface. All Found on all Profile islands except species are influenced and affected by strong winds, thin soils and Rock Pavement Sandy Spit, especially along the coast salt spray, and are therefore shaped by this environment, growing as low shrubs. Under less harsh conditions, these species would grow taller.

Beach Low vegetation found along beaches, often sparse ground cover, (sand, Found on all five islands which may include a number of grass and forb species. cobblestone, rubble/coral)

On Jost Van Dyke at Great Harbour, White The species of plants found in this community type result from Bay and East End deliberate plantings and careful management of the landscape. Built Areas Only one residence on Little Jost and none Most of the dominant species are non-native fruit and ornamental on the other three islands species.

hairs, giving the (Erythrina eggersii), named after leaves a silvery, Henrik Franz Alexander von velvet-like look from Eggers, its discoverer (about a distance. 1870) and a Danish army captain who published on the flora The Indian Mallow is of the Virgin Islands. Many other endemic (native) to plants in these islands also bear the British Virgin his name, including Bastardiop- Islands and Culebra sis eggersii (JVD Indian Mallow). (PR), and is only found on JVD and The one specimen on Jost Van Little JVD in the BVI. Dyke located by the IRF re- Although recorded search team was in the ravines for Tortola, it is on the steep slopes of the Photo 10. Leaves of the JVD Indian Mallow believed to be extinct northern coast. It showed ob- (Bastardiopsis eggersii). there. It is most vious signs of severe damage common on Little Jost from goats and the resulting erosion of As an example, surrounding there is the wild slopes. hibiscus relative, the Jost Van Dyke The Cockspur has Indian Mallow a brilliant bright- (Bastardiopsis red, inflorescence eggersii), first flower that it dis- recorded on Jost in plays in the dry 1969 by Dr. Elbert season when it Little of the then sheds most of its Institute of Tropical leaves (Photo 11). Forestry in Puerto This characteristic Rico (see Little, is the reason that 1969). The species related species is named after Jost are often referred Van Dyke, and the to as the IRF Profile survey “immortelle” or team discovered the immortal tree. Photo 11. It seems to come one lone specimen, Cockspur in bloom (Erythrina eggersii). along the upper reaches of back to life during the most Brown Ghut on the eastern severe season of the year. end of the island (see Photo 10). Van Dyke, where it was This is the first record of this Dr. Little also noted how rare the recorded for the first time by the species from JVD. It is quite rare species was on the island, and IRF Profile team. There are in all of the Virgin Islands, and he too found only one about 50 trees on that island. every effort should be made to specimen. However, this most beautiful ensure that this species survives. tree is endangered by goats, on This tree, which grows to about both JVD and Little JVD. On the steep slopes of Little Jost 10-15 metres in height, has was found a new species for the somewhat heart-shaped leaves Another spectacular species, British Virgin Islands, the Simple- that are covered in short soft and another Virgin Islands and leaf Bushweed (Flueggea Puerto Rican endemic, is the acidoton). This Euphorbe is a Cockspur or Coral Tree relative of the Manchioneel Tree

(Hippomane mancinella), and It has been over-harvested in Lignum Vitae is a popular its discovery by Profile scientists the past because of its landscaping species, although is another new record for the popularity in the production of slow growing; it is highly prized BVI (it is rare in the USVI). ball bearings and pulley by gardeners for its beautiful components used in ship purple flowers and bright yellow The beautiful thorny small tree rigging; its by-products were fruits, the seeds of which are with small leaves and arching also used in the treatment of covered by a red aril. The branches survives in dry forest Syphilis. Because of the huge species is found throughout the near the coast. It is quite rare demand for this resource, by West Indies, northern Venezuela throughout the Virgin Islands but the late 1700s the species had and Colombia. is endemic (native) to the become quite rare in the West Greater Antilles and the Indies; in some islands, it be- One of the BVI’s most specta- Bahamas. came extinct. In the British cular and economically impor- Virgin Islands, it is recorded from tant plants is the Tyre or Thatch One of the most impressive of Anegada. This recent sighting Palm (Coccothrinax alta), an the Profile islands’ rare trees is by IRF researchers is the first endemic species only found in the Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum record for Jost Van Dyke. the Virgin Islands and Puerto officinale). A number of Rico. This beautiful palm with its medium-sized specimens were Early settlers also named the fan-shaped leaves is now very discovered in heavy fruit on the tree Buckwood or Pockwood. rare on the Profile islands, southern slopes of the Western Apparently, the area known as having been eaten into Peninsula of JVD (see Photos 12 Pockwood Pond on the south extinction by goats. The goats and 13). shore of Tortola was named be- eat the seedlings and ripe fruits, cause of the abundance of this thereby depriving the species of The Lignum Vitae tree has tree (Gibney, 2008). Today, due regeneration. They strip the attained almost mythical to its rarity in the wild, the tree is fronds from young trees, and distinction in the USVI and BVI, protected under CITES, the over time the plant eventually being one of the heaviest and Convention densest woods in the world (it on Interna- sinks in water). tional Trade in Endan- gered Species.

Photo 12. Fruiting Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale).

Photo 13. Lignum Vitae is easily distinguishable by its trunk.

succumbs to constant “pruning” The Tree Cactus in by these animals. particular is quite rare and endangered. It is However, this was not always so. easily identified by its Islanders today remember that elongated pads and within their lifetimes the species tree-like trunk. On JVD, declined rapidly as goats were only five specimens were allowed to roam free. In the found, all located near past, the palm was an impor- Lower and Upper Dog tant crop for making crafts and Holes, along the western broom and as thatching for shores of Great Harbour roofs. As the species declined, (Photo 16). Sandy Cay islanders had to travel to Thatch has at least half-a-dozen Cay to the south (west of on the East Ridge. One Tortola) to obtain the fronds to specimen was also meet their needs. recorded for Little Jost Photo 14. Tyre Palm (Coccothrinax alta) seedling, Western Peninsula, JVD. Van Dyke and for Green Today, only a few dozen speci- Cay. The lonely tree cactus mens of this species cling to ex- on Green Cay is in istence on the Western Penin- precarious condition, due sula of JVD, with a few speci- to unstable slopes caused by There are at least six species of mens also observed on Sandy goat-induced erosion. cacti on most of the study Cay. A few seedlings were islands. Two species—the Barrel identified on JVD’s Western Table 12 in the final chapter of Cactus or Turk’s Cap Cactus Peninsula and Sandy Cay (see this Profile provides a list and (Melocactus intortus) (Photo 15), Photo 14). Only one scraggly locational information on 13 and the Tree Cactus, also specimen was observed on plants of “special concern” named Tree Prickly Pear Green Cay. found on Jost Van Dyke and the (Opuntia rubescens)—are other Profile islands. considered species of special concern.

Photo 15. Barrel Cactus or Turk’s Cap (Melocactus intortus) is more common on the dry coastal cliffs of JVD.

Photo 16. A flowering Tree Cactus (or Prickly Pear Cactus) (Opuntia rubescens)at Great Harbour, JVD.

SALT PONDS: ponds. And, as tropical storms and torrential rains A CRITICAL ECOSYSTEM Box 3 release their fury on the WHY SALT PONDS ARE IMPORTANT The salt ponds of the Profile islands, the ponds act as study area are like time ma- retention systems and hold On JVD, salt ponds provide a chines into the past. The en- back potentially destruc- number of useful benefits to humans closed ponds, with tons of sedi- tive flood waters and slowly and the surrounding environment. The two primary benefits are: ment built up over thousands of pass the excess on to the ocean (see also Box 3). years, are witnesses to the (1) Salt ponds act as SEDIMENT TRAPS changes that have occurred in for runoff from surrounding The ecology of salt ponds is the environment across time; uplands, thereby preventing they provide us with a window complex and only partly sediment and pollution from through which to look back and understood. We do know reaching sensitive coral reefs, examine natural history. that this type of ecosystem seagrass beds, and other im- is dynamic, experiencing portant coastal habitats. It is the ponds’ sediments that constant change in (2) Despite drastic fluctuations in hold these secrets, sealed away response to continuous fluctuations in salinity, pond salinity, due to the influx of in millenniums of deposits. For both fresh and sea water, salt temperature, turbidity, example, as scientists try to ponds provide an important oxygen levels, and even understand the impacts of HABITAT FOR MANY SPECIES OF water levels. global warming and climate FAUNA AND FLORA. For example: change, some have turned to  sediment cores from salt ponds There are currently seven Many crabs, insect larvae and some halophytic (salt-loving) to understand the sequence of salt ponds on Jost Van plants can only be found living events stretching back as far as Dyke and one on Sandy in ponds. the last Ice Age, some 10,000- Cay (see Figure 4 and Table 9). None of JVD’s 12,000 years ago.  Up to four mangrove species salt ponds were studied by can be seen in this ecosystem: However, salt ponds offer far BVI ecologist Dr. Lianna Red Mangrove (Rhizophora more than clues to the past. Jarecki in her definitive mangle), Black Mangrove These ecosystems are also study of BVI salt ponds (Avicennia germinans), White integral to our current under- (Jarecki, 2004), although Mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa), and the Buttonwood standing of the environment of she did investigate the (Conocarpus erectus). Jost Van Dyke and the other Sandy Cay pond as part of the IRF resource characteri- Profile islands, and, as well, they  Wading birds (such as herons, sation study of the cay in provide important environmen- stilts, and sandpipers) and tal services for the protection of 2000-2001 (IRF, 2001b). waterfowl (such as ducks, teal, coastal areas. and coots) feed on organisms in In the not-too-distant past, the ponds. Other species of For example, many forms of sea salt was collected from perching birds (such as king- wildlife depend on these ponds. a few of JVD’s salt ponds, birds, martins, swallows, and warblers) feed on insects that fly Migrant waterfowl and shore- e.g., Cape Wright and over the salt ponds, and many birds and the resident White- White Bay salt ponds. The of them nest or roost in the cheeked Pintail Duck nest in the sea salt obtained from these ponds is particularly surrounding vegetation, safe roots of pond mangroves and from predators. feed on the aquatic plants and tasty and healthy, contain- insects they find there. Edible ing all the minerals present  Even insect bats such as the land crabs and shrimp and in the sea which are also Roof Bat and Fishing Bat can be other invertebrates survive be- essential to the human seen foraging in this ecosystem. cause of their access to viable body (see also Box 4).

However, as pressures increase for additional land for coastal Box 4 development activities, surviving SALT PONDS AND SEA SALT PRODUCTION salt ponds are being placed at greater risk. In the Caribbean, On JVD, not all salt ponds produce salt. they have too often been the For sea salt to form in a salt pond, a number of conditions have to first critical ecosystem to be be present. Initially, salt water enters a pond from the sea through sacrificed to the requirements of seepage at high tides and/or by waves breaking over the shoreline coastal development expan- during storms. If the pond is below sea level, this will prevent water sion. For example, not long from flowing back to the sea. The constant, intense sunlight and ago, JVD had eight salt ponds. windy conditions encourage a very high rate of evapo- Unfortunately, the salt pond transpiration. During extended dry periods, pond water will located south of Beasli Hill along become extremely salty. Water can only hold a certain amount of Batson Bay was converted to salt in solution and when the salinity of the pond reaches that point, salt crystallizes. the island’s official waste disposal and landfill site and no As the water level continues to drop and as arid and windy longer functions as a pond. conditions prevail, a layer of salt is left along the edges of the pond. The longer the dry period, the more this salt layer will extend toward the center of the pond and the thicker the layer becomes (Singer, 2006). On JVD, Cape Wright and White Bay ponds are likely to produce sea salt under these conditions.

Table 9. Salt ponds of JVD and other Profile islands, listed from west to east.

No. Name Location Type/Classification Issues/Impacts

This pond receives considerable runoff White Bay White Bay, from steep hillsides. Heavy rains Pond southwestern coast usually result in flooding that affects of Jost Van Dyke the tourism facilities and residences on the south and southeastern edges of the pond.

Along the margins, the pond is used to dump refuse of all kinds, and this contributes to problems of flooding

Photo 17. White Bay Pond, wet season. and an increase in the number of rats, feral cats and mongooses. 1

Photo 18. White Bay Pond, dry conditions.

This is the second largest salt pond on JVD, with fringing White, Black and Buttonwood Mangroves. The pond is flooded most of the year and receives much of this from hillside runoff. There is some inundation from heavy storm surges.

This is one of the smallest salt ponds on JVD The salt pond exhibits no sign of Upper Dog Western Side of and is nearly filled with sediments and impact, but its location—south of the Hole Pond Great Harbour, mostly tree covered. Buttonwood is the Ferry Dock—makes it vulnerable to 2 to the east of dominant mangrove species followed by future development. Dandy Point White Mangroves. It remains dry most of the year as its rain catchment from the hillside is rather small.

Located just north of Upper Dog Hole, this The northern end of the pond is being Lower Dog Western side of salt pond is slightly larger and is fringed with back-filled with rocks, rubble and Hole Pond Great Harbour, Black, White and Buttonwood Mangroves. construction waste. The northwest Jost Van Dyke It is usually dry for most of the year but side of the pond is currently being becomes flooded during heavy storm encroached by fill and residential surges and when impacted by upland structures. Its proximity to the Ferry 3 runoff. Dock makes it the more vulnerable of the two Dog Hole Ponds. Photo 19. Lower Dog Hole Pond, in dry conditions.

No. Name Location Type/Classification Issues/Impacts

A tidal and runoff-flooded mangrove forest The town of Great Harbour is situated Great Great Harbour, system with deep drainage channels that in the middle of the mangrove system Harbour Salt south coast, also allow high swells to inundate the pond. and has sectioned the once large Pond Jost Van Dyke Mangroves present include all four species mangrove forest into two units. Much (Red, Black, White and Buttonwood). of the original size of the pond has being reduced due to ongoing encroachment and landfill. 4

Photo 20. Great Harbour Pond, located just east of the Primary School, has standing water all year.

Salt pond with fringing mangroves, including The perimeter of the pond is filled with Clean Hole West side of Garner White, Black and Buttonwood Mangroves. refuse discarded by nearby Pond Bay, southeastern The pond has water for most of the year as businesses and residents. end of JVD a result of salt water seepage through the narrow coral rubble and 5 sand berm, as well as from runoff from the surrounding slopes.

Photo 21. Clean Hole Pond.

A section of the pond was extensively Cape Wright North of Long Bay, back-filled with dredge materials in Pond northeast coast of the past, thereby transforming the Jost Van Dyke shallow coastal bay and mangrove systems. The pond is in good condition and remains very attractive 6 to wildlife.

Photo 22. View of the north and east sides of Cape Wright Pond.

The largest salt pond on Jost Van Dyke, with all four species of mangroves (Red, Black, White and Buttonwood). Clumps of Red Mangroves also occur along the coastline.

Perhaps one of the smallest ponds, it has yet There are no adjacent developments Georgy Hole Georgy Hole Bay, to be investigated due to its remoteness that affect the health of the pond. Bay Pond eastern tip of JVD 7 and inaccessibility. The pond has water for The status of the flora and fauna has most of the year as a result of salt water yet to be determined. seepage through the narrow coral rubble and sand berm, as well as from runoff from the surrounding slopes.

No. Name Location Type/Classification Issues/Impacts

This pond covers about a third of Sandy Cay Sandy Cay Sandy Cay, and consists of mangrove woodland and Salt Pond south of Sandy Spit forest, as well as a small area of salt flat. The two mangrove species found are the White Mangrove and the Buttonwood. The pond is in the advanced stages of conversion from a wetland to a terrestrial plant community. It is dry for most of the year except after very heavy rains. 8

Photo 23. Sandy Cay Pond. The Sandy Cay salt pond remains dry for most of the year; however, during the rainy season, a standing body of water may linger for many weeks.

Figure 4. Location of salt ponds, Jost Van Dyke and Sandy Cay (map source: Google Earth, 2008).

FAUNAL HERITAGE Other animals were important long periods prior to the arrival (Terrestrial) food sources, including: of Old World peoples. − the Puerto Rican Hutia For invertebrates (species The fauna of Jost Van Dyke and (Isolobodon portoricensis), without a backbone, such as the nearby cays is typical of the an extinct mammal insects), relatively little is known islands of the wider Virgin Islands resembling a large Agouti, about the native species, but region. Many species are another rodent to which it we do know that following widely distributed in a number was related; of the islands on the Puerto Rico colonisation, many new species − Bank and are as familiar to a the small insectivore, the were introduced, and, with Tortolan or St. Thomian as they West Indian Shrew modern trade, many more have are to the residents of Jost Van (Nesophontes), endemic arrived and will undoubtedly Dyke. (native) to the Greater continue to arrive. Antilles, and now extinct; To the casual observer, JVD’s Nevertheless, Jost Van Dyke, − the now quite rare and most obvious animals are birds, Little Jost, Sandy Cay, Green endangered Puerto Rican especially seabirds, plus the Cay and Sandy Spit are unique Parrot (Amazona vittata), island’s goats and sheep and entities with their own endemic and features that distinguish them the ubiquitous mongoose—all − from the larger Islands in the BVI. the Anegada Iguana recent imports brought to the But, like the larger islands, the (Cyclura pinguis). island from elsewhere. They faunal heritage that roam the island landscape characterises Jost Van Dyke Animals were easily moved freely and are often seen in and its satellite cays is at risk—as about and “cultivated” or Great Harbour or on the main a desire to protect the land and allowed to “stock” forested road leading to the eastern end natural resources is weighed areas for later retrieval. We of the island. along side equally compelling know that this was a common desires to achieve a modern practice of the Amerindians The fauna of Jost Van Dyke and identity and a sustainable throughout the region, and it is the satellite islands are economy. likely that Jost Van Dyke, Little discussed below within the JVD, Green Cay and Sandy Cay following broad categories: Because of the lack of written were treated similarly. Quite records, we can only speculate possibly, by the time of 1. Birds European colonisation, many of on what animal species lived on 2. Mammals Jost Van Dyke and the nearby the native animals had started isles prior to European settle- to decline and even disappear; 3. Amphibians but additional archaeological ments. We do know that 4. Reptiles Amerindians moved quite freely and paleontological work is among the islands of the region needed to help define the past 5. Invertebrates and often transported faunal faunal assemblage. species from island to island as Table 13 in the final chapter of food and as pets. Birds, reptiles, Today, the terrestrial fauna we this Profile provides a list and amphibians and mammals were find on Jost Van Dyke and its locational information on faunal introduced throughout the neighbouring cays is a jig saw species of “special concern” Caribbean, and it is likely that puzzle of recent immigrants and found on Jost Van Dyke and the species such as the Agouti were native fauna. Most of the other Profile islands once a part of the fauna of Jost amphibians, reptiles, birds and Van Dyke. mammals are native, meaning that they existed on the island naturally or had been there for

1. BIRDS

For the scientific names of birds mentioned in this sub- section, consult Table 10.

When first-time visitors to Jost Van Dyke disembark from the public ferry or private yacht in Great Harbour, the first faunal group they are likely to encoun- ter will be the island’s bird population. From the reptilian- appearing Brown Pelican, seen as it glides effortlessly over the mast of the yachts, to the Brown

Booby, with its drab brown Photo 24. colour and horn-like, yellowish- Bridled Quail Dove (Geotrygon mystacea), locally named Turtle Dove. brown bill, or the raucous Laughing Gull with its jarring cackle, the waters around JVD tracks of forest on the northern Pearly-eyed Thrasher. It mimics and the nearby cays abound slopes of Jost Van Dyke. the calls of other birds and is with the cries and calls of In fact, many of the bird species itself an impressive singer. It is a hundreds of seabirds, especially found on the Profile islands are drab grey species and is during the spring and summer among the Territory’s rarest. For primarily found on the eastern months when they come to the example, consider the Red- coasts of the Profile islands, Virgin Islands to breed. billed Tropicbird, a species that although it is sometimes found spends most of its adult life far throughout all coastal areas of A walk along the main roads in out at sea, but during the Jost Van Dyke. Great Harbour will find heads breeding season it nests on the turning to spot the ubiquitous northern inaccessible cliffs of The White-crowned Pigeon, with Pearly-eyed Thrasher as it calls both Jost Van Dyke and Sandy its slate-grey body and white from its perch atop the tallest Cay, in small cavities and crown (hence its common trees or from the tangle of vines overhangs. From these often name), can sometimes be and thorns. The area to the rear sheer walls, this beautiful white found on Sandy Cay and of Foxy’s Restaurant is always a bird— with its long tail streamers undoubtedly, from time to time, spot to view this very curious and red bill—can sometimes be on the other Profile islands. This species. It can easily be called seen, darting from the rocks and is now a rare migrant, but was into view by using “swishing” or over the waves in search of once a relatively common “squeaking” noises. squid and other prey to feed its nesting species that was hunted chicks. to near extinction. It may be There are at least 60 species of seen occasionally, especially birds recorded for Jost Van On the eastern end of Jost Van during the spring and summer Dyke and the nearby cays (see Dyke and on the nearby cays, months. Table 10), including one of the the uncommon to rare Northern most secretive, the Bridled Quail Mockingbird can occasionally Dove, or Turtle Dove as it is be seen fliting from the tops of sometimes called locally (see trees, especially along the Photo 24). This very rare species coast, in search of insects. This inhabits the last remaining mimid (from the family Mimidae) is a relative of the

Table 10. Bird species identified for Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Cay, and Sandy Spit.

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME JVD LJVD GC SC SS

Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus X X White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus X Brown Booby Sula leucogaster X X X X Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis X X X X X Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens X X X X X Great Egret Ardea alba X Little Blue Heron Egretta caerulea X X Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias X Green Heron Butorides virescens X X Yellow-crowned Night Heron Nyctanassa violacea X X Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis X White-cheeked Pintail Anas bahamensis X X Red-tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis X X Osprey Pandion haliaetus X X Merlin Falco columbarius X American Kestrel Falco sparverius X X Wilson’s Plover Charadrius wilsonia X X Lesser Yellowlegs Tringa flavipes X American Oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus X X X Black-necked Stilt Himantopus mexicanus X Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squaterola X Semipalmated Plover Charadrius semipalmatus X Solitary Sandpiper Tringa solitaria X Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres X X Sanderling Calidris alba X Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularia X Semipalmated Sandpiper Calidris pusilla X Stilt Sandpiper Calidris himantopus X Laughing Gull Larus atricilla X X X X X Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica X Royal Tern Sterna maxima X X Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis X X X Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii X X X X Common Tern Sterna hirundo X Least Tern Sterna antillarum X X Bridled Tern Sterna anaethetus X

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME JVD LJVD GC SC SS

Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata X Brown Noddy Anous stolidus X Scaly-naped Pigeon Columba squamosa X X X White-crowned Pigeon Columba leucocephala X White-winged Dove Zenaida asiatica X Bridled Quail Dove Geotrygon mystacea X Zenaida Dove Zenaida aurita X X X X Common Ground-Dove Columbina passerina X X X Mangrove Cuckoo Coccyzus minor X X X Green-throated Carib Eulampis holosericeus X X X Antillean Crested Hummingbird O. cristatus X X Belted Kingfisher Ceryle alcyon X X Caribbean Elaenia Elaenia martinica X X Gray Kingbird Tyrannus dominicensis X X X X Caribbean Martin Progne dominicensis X X Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica X Northern Mockingbird Mimus polyglottos X Pearly-eyed Thrasher Margarops fuscatus X X X X Black-whiskered Vireo Vireo altiloquus X Yellow Warbler Dendroica petechia X X X Prairie Warbler Dendroica discolor X American Redstart Setophaga ruticalla X Northern Waterthrush Seiurus noveboracensis X Louisiana Waterthrush Seiurus motacilla X Bananaquit Coereba flaveola X X X Lesser Antillean Bullfinch Loxigilla noctis X X Black-faced Grassquit Tiaris bicolor X X

SOURCES: Jost Van Dyke (JVD): IRF Fieldwork for Environmental Profile Project (2008); Econcerns, Ltd. (2006). Little Jost Van Dyke (LJVD): IRF Fieldwork for Environmental Profile Project (2008). Green Cay (GC): IRF Fieldwork for Environmental Profile Project (2008); Lewis & Associates, Ltd. (1999). Sandy Cay (SC): Bacle and Towle (2008). Sandy Spit (SS): Lewis & Associates, Ltd. (1999).

Many of the species of birds of and on the eastern end of JVD − eliminating plant and Jost Van Dyke and its neigh- and on Little Jost, although in animal species, bouring cays are relatively lesser numbers. − preventing seedling growth, common and widely distributed and throughout the wider Carib- Another recent arrival to JVD bean and, in the case of some and other Virgin Islands is the − eventually causing migrants, in North America. White-winged Dove. This considerable soil loss, During the fall, winter and early species arrived naturally in large desiccation, and erosion. spring, the local bird popula- numbers in the late 1990s and tions are augmented by many early 2000s, and is now well Much of the landscape of JVD, species of migrant warblers, established as a resident. It Little JVD, and Green Cay has shorebirds, waterfowl and sometimes mixes in flocks with been transformed into what herons, who spend the cold the long-established Zenaida can be termed “goat winter months in the tropics. Dove, and the two species climaxed” plant communities. seem to coexist rather well. These communities are rather Some of these species include depauperate and resemble the bright red and black Other relatively common nothing like the lush, semi- American Redstart, one of North species include the Grey evergreen forests and America’s most iconic warblers; Kingbird, the Caribbean shrublands that were native to the Solitary Sandpiper, a Elaenia, the less common, these islands. Such is not the species found at the shallow though often heard but not case at Sandy Cay, which has edges of mangrove ponds and seen Black-whiskered Vireo, remained free of goats. along the beach; and wading and the Mangrove Cuckoo. birds that often mingle in mixed Although not present on Sandy flocks with the resident White- Cay and Sandy Spit, and not cheeked Pintail in the 2. MAMMALS seen on Green Cay or Little Jost mangrove ponds. Van Dyke, the Indian Mongoose The most visible and dominant is certainly ubiquitous on Jost Some species of resident birds mammals on Jost Van Dyke are Van Dyke, especially in Great are rather common and are the goats (Capra hircus), sheep Harbour, White Bay and Little best known of the local species. (Ovis aries), and the small, Harbour, where it thrives around These include the Black-faced introduced Indian Mongoose human activity. The mongoose Grassquit, the Bananaquit, the (Herpestes javanicus). Cattle was introduced to JVD in the Yellow Warbler, the Scaly- raising on the island was mid-to-late 1970s (pers. comm., naped Pigeon (a close relative discontinued in the 1980s. Susan Zaluski, JVDPS, 2009) of the White-crowned), and the apparently to control the snake Zenaida Dove. While the goats and sheep population. Unfortunately, its roam freely on the island, they continued presence and the A local resident that is easily are the private property of local increase in its resident popula- observed around Great residents and represent tion have negatively affected Harbour, although it is not a important individual faunal biodiversity, particularly common species in any of the investments; their presence has by reducing native species of Virgin Islands, is the Lesser long been a part of respected snakes, lizards and birds. Antillean Bullfinch. This species, social and economic practices which arrived in the Virgin on Jost Van Dyke. Unfortu- Common on all of the Profile Islands and Puerto Rico from the nately, the animals also islands, with the exception of Lesser Antilles in the 1950s and continue to degrade the Sandy Cay, is the Black Rat 1960s, is locally common around natural landscape by: (Rattus rattus), also named Tree the beach area and homes in Rat because it is an agile − aiding the ongoing Great Harbour. It is also found climber and frequently nests in deforestation of the island, in smaller numbers at White Bay trees. They arrived in the

Caribbean region beginning in bat nets at night, with the the fifteenth century, unwittingly nets strung across paths to transported from the Old World capture bats for analysis. aboard European sailing ships. When JVD residents Ecologically this species is encountered the extremely adaptable; it is able researchers, they often to live in a wide variety of expressed surprise and even habitats and exploit many apprehension to learn that different food sources. bats were so plentiful throughout the island. Many of the small islands in which the Black Rat was We now know that there Photo 25. introduced lacked native are at least four bat species The Roof Bat (Molossus molossus), ground predators, leaving many on JVD (Kwiecinski, et al., common on Jost Van Dyke. other species extremely forthcoming). These are: vulnerable to rat attack and, in − the small Roof Bat, also some cases, subject to eventual named Pallas’ Mastiff decline. The invasive Black Rat (Molossus molossus) was eradicated from Sandy (Photo 25), most often Cay in late 2002 (Varnham, seen leaving its roof 2003). Since the removal of rats, roosts just before dusk; a resurgence of avifauna and lizards has been noted at the − the common Jamaican island. Fruit Bat (Artibeus jamaicensis) (Photo 26); Feral cats (Felis catus) were − the Antillean Cave Bat observed at the JVD waste (Brachyphylla disposal site. They were cavernarum); and scavenging on recent piles of Photo 26. The Jamaican Fruit Bat (Artibeus jamaicensis), trash and appeared to be in − the Fishing Bat (Noctilio common on Jost Van Dyke. such poor health that they leporinus). should probably be trapped and taken to the BVI Humane Many residents see this plants in the upland forests and Society. In general, feral cats latter species fishing for its in gardens. prey on birds, amphibians and customary prey of small fish reptiles, having a negative near the shores of Great Bats help to control insect pests, effect on the size and well- Harbour, but, surprisingly, take keeping numbers much lower being of these populations. An little notice and do not realise than if they were not present. effort should be made to that this animal actually resides Fruit bats such as Artibeus and prevent cats from reproducing on the island. Brachyphylla help spread the and wandering in the wild on seeds of many forest plants, Jost Van Dyke. As the bats wing their way keeping the forest alive and through the darkness of night, healthy. Bats also help in the At night, bats fill the skies over little noticed by most Jost Van pollination of certain plants that Jost Van Dyke, and, most Dykians, these winged denizens flower at night, such as the Pipe probably, Little Jost. These are are either clearing the skies of Organ Cactus (Pilosocereus the only native mammals pesky insects such as royenii). Without bats, life would remaining in all of the British and mosquitoes—a job for the small be less comfortable and less U. S. Virgin Islands. As part of insectivorous Roof Bat—or are ecologically full, not only on Jost the Profile team’s field surveys in munching on the fruits, leaves 2008, researchers often manned and nectar of many species of

Van Dyke but on all of the British Coqui species is a Virgin Islands anole species on JVD and Virgin Islands. endemic (native to the Virgin most of its sister cays; Islands) and is believed to be − the Grass Anole, a species extinct on the U.S. Virgin Islands. that hides among the tall 3. AMPHIBIANS It, and the Mute Frog, are grasses and shrubs; and classified as endangered (E) on For the scientific names of the IUCN Species List (IUCN, et − the Barred or Bark Anole, amphibians mentioned in this al., 2004). Trade of this species is commonly seen on large sub-section, consult Table 11. strictly prohibited, and efforts rocks, boulders and along should be made to protect the the trunks of trees. If birds capture the attention of habitat and populations of this Jost Van Dykians in the day, the rare gem. Jost Van Dykians have grown night truly belongs to the frogs. up with a local legend Jost Van Dyke comes alive after Although the White-lipped Frog concerning the Common sunset when thousands of these is relatively common in most of Woodslave (also known as the tiny amphibians call from their the Virgin Islands, on JVD, it is House Gecko). It is believed perches—their whistles, beeps rare; it is limited by the that this gecko can attach itself and peeps echoing down the availability of suitable habitat, to human skin and the only way steep valleys or slowly carried including freshwater. The the individual so afflicted can on the air like a mist at the species is found around human be rid of the gecko (before it bottom of Great Harbour. Their settlements such as Great and can place a curse!) is to use hot calls are almost deafening. Little Harbour where freshwater water to pry it loose. This is is more commonly available. entirely false, and the animal is There are at least five species of virtually harmless. The gecko is frogs on Jost Van Dyke. None Another amphibian, the Virgin a relatively recent import to the are known from the nearby Island Worm Lizard is a secretive Profile islands, transported, we cays, although LJVD may have burrower that lives primarily believe, to the Caribbean from a few species. The species of below ground. This worm-like Africa during the slave trade. frogs of Jost Van Dyke include: species is believed to be native This animal is common in homes − the Virgin Islands Coqui; on Jost, but no specimens were as well as the forests of Jost Van available for study. Dyke and Little JVD. − the Antillean Frog (or Churi Coqui); Another gecko, the Dwarf − the Mute Frog — Its name is 4. REPTILES Gecko, is a diminutive species somewhat of a misnomer found in leaf litter and under since the animal does For the scientific names of rocks and logs in forests and vocalize, although it is reptiles mentioned in this sub- gardens (see Photo 27). This section, consult Table 11. mostly silent. It is known species is found throughout the only from Great Harbour, The most well-known reptiles and is believed to be a of Jost Van Dyke and its recent introduction to the satellite islands are its lizards. island (Perry, forthcoming); There are several species, − the Whistling Frog; and some of which are well known to residents, while − the White-lipped Frog, a others are more secretive species of small freshwater and reclusive. The more pools and damp places. common species include three anoles: Some of these species are among the rarest in all of the − the Crested Anole (or Photo 27. Dwarf Gecko Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands Man Lizard), the largest (Sphaerodactylus macrolepis).

Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, humans and able to kill with its Insects such as mosquitoes and and, in some places, it is glassy stare. In truth, the species flies would assuredly be high on believed to be one of the most is deliberate in its efforts to human-compiled lists of “most abundant vertebrates on earth. avoid human confrontations annoying and despised” and, instead, spends its days animals. But most insects are However on Jost, Little Jost, hidden among rock heaps, not bothersome, and, in fact, Green Cay and Sandy Cay, it is crevices and holes and comes we still do not know most of the relatively uncommon to rare. out after dark to feed on species that inhabit JVD and This is likely due to the limited sleeping animals. other nearby islands. leaf litter available to the species. Severe erosion caused In the mid-to-late 1970s, the Yet, the irony is that Inverte- by grazing goats has washed small Indian Mongoose was brates make up the largest away much of the necessary introduced to JVD and Little number of species of living detritus that this species relies on JVD in an attempt to rid the things on JVD; they comprise for survival. In some places, the islands of the pestilent snakes. the largest biomass, that is, the species is entirely absent. In this, the mongoose has been largest weight of living and quite effective, though not dead matter on the island. This is unfortunate since this entirely. Snake species survive Along with fungi, mosses lichens, small but beautiful species is on Jost, although precariously, and bacteria, they are the real one of the most enigmatic and much more effort is “movers and shakers” of the members of Jost Van Dyke’s needed to save the Tree Boa— island, i.e., they are the most native fauna, and its slow a unique Virgin Islands native— abundant of the island’s species decline is a sad end note to its from extinction. Residents need and therefore play a significant past habitation of Jost Van to be aware that the snakes of role in the ecology of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost, Green Cay and JVD are harmless, and, in fact, Dyke and its satellite islands. Sandy Cay. the mongoose has done more harm to the island’s natural The invertebrates of Sandy Cay Among the most uncommon of heritage than the snake ever are the best known of the five Jost Van Dyke’s reptiles is the has. Profile islands (although there is Ground Lizard or Ameiva. The still much we do not know survey team noted a very low Other species of snakes on Jost about them). In 2000, as part of population on JVD; it is more Van Dyke and nearby islands an IRF-led study of Sandy Cay common on Little Jost and rare include the Blind Snake, which is (IRF, 2001b), Dr. Michael Ivie, to extinct on Green Cay. This a small worm-like snake that one of the most knowledgeable species has been decimated by lives primarily below ground and experts on Eastern Caribbean the mongoose, and is only is almost entirely blind. There is invertebrates, undertook a found sparingly at Great also the Puerto Rican Racer, survey of Sandy Cay’s fauna. Harbour. The Ground Lizard is now confined to Green Cay. His report on the invertebrates very common on Sandy Cay This species is quite rare and in of Sandy Cay (included in the due to the absence of danger of becoming extinct on IRF study) provides a compara- mongoose and rats. this island due to habitat tive overview and case study of destruction by goats. the complexity of the fauna, the One of the most feared of all of number of species, and analysis JVD’s animals is the Tree Boa. of how much work remains to This very rare endemic snake is 5. INVERTEBRATES detail the true nature of the a harmless, docile creature that resident species. hunts by night. It eats rats, In the minds of many, inverte- mice, lizards, insects and small brates, such as insects, are During the field surveys for the birds. However, stories often merely pests, somewhat loath- Profile project, as the team of repeated by islanders tell tales some creatures that carry dis- ecologists set out to search of a predator that is vicious to ease, inflict bites, or infect food. JVD’s landscape for details on

what makes the island truly Top Shell, a species of marine functional as an ecological mollusk that has been whole, the team encountered severely over-collected for fascinating species of insects the pot and is now very and other invertebrates in the threatened throughout the wilds of the island. Because Caribbean. As a result, Hermit they are small in size and Crabs cannot find suitable generally disliked by the shells to grow into. On human inhabitants of this maturity, these animals make shared landscape, the deeply Photo 28. The most common scorpion. the long and difficult trek from intricate and complicated life high slopes down to the coast cycles of these animals and to deposit their eggs in the their inter-connectedness to grow up to more than 12 ocean, and afterwards make the overall fabric of insular life centimetres (5 inches) across. their way back up to the mostly goes unnoticed. hinterlands. Of the more noticeable On Jost Van Dyke and Sandy invertebrates of these islands is Other members of the crab Cay, scorpions abound, but the large millipede. There are family include the Land Crab most people never see a single two species on these islands, and Giant Land Crab. The specimen. This is testament to and both can often be found in former is quite easily observed just how secretive these animals gardens, homes, backyards and by the dozens behind Foxy’s are and how much they shun more natural areas. Both Restaurant in Great Harbour. humans. At least one species in species belong to the genus the genus Centuroides is found Anadenobolus and are widely Another family of crabs typically on JVD and is undoubtedly to distributed throughout the Virgin found along the coast—on the be found on all of the nearby Islands and Puerto Rico. There beaches, on coastal rocks, in islands (see Photo 28). are several subspecies of these mangrove and salt ponds— animals, but very little else is includes the Ghost and Fiddler Along with centipedes, spiders known about them on Jost Van Crabs. These belong in the are some of the most feared of Dyke and the other Profile family Oxypodidae, and several what some residents might term islands. species inhabit most of the the “creepy crawlies.” On Jost Profile islands. Van Dyke and most of the Of the larger invertebrates, satellite islands, spiders are crabs are the most prominent The more recognisable insects widespread. Some of the and dominant. Several species are what non-scientists might common forms include occur, and these include the simply call “bugs”. These members of the family beloved Hermit Crab—or Soldier belong to the class Insecta, as Mygalomorphae, which build Crab as it is locally called. The opposed to spiders, for silk-lined holes in the ground. species lives in forests and example, which have eight Some species are also found woodlands but occasionally legs—not six—and belong to the under logs and rocks. may go into yards. It feeds on order Arthropoda. Among the decaying leaves, fungi, fruits myriad of diverse insects with Also present are more typical and flowers, and is often which Jost Van Dykians would spiders, such as the Orb collected by local fisherman be very familiar is the cock- Weavers. One species on JVD and used as bait. roach, in its many shapes and and throughout the Virgin sizes. Most species avoid Islands builds rather large webs As the Hermit Crab grows, it human habitations and prefer and can often be seen perched discards its shell for a larger one. forested areas. There are many in the middle of its trap as it Its preferred replacement shell is forest species of roaches, some awaits prey. This species can usually that of the West Indian even wingless. These belong to the order Blattodea.

Some of the more spectacular colonial masses during the Termite colonies play an impor- insects of Jost Van Dyke are summer and fall months. tant role in the ecology of members of the order Sandy Cay and other islands in Hemiptera. These are the Jewel One of the most despised that they break down fallen Bugs, a group of richly coloured insects is the termite, simply branches and plant debris that insects with iridescent greens, because it can eat its way into would otherwise accumulate reds, yellows and blacks island homes and residents’ and be a fire hazard. They are belonging to the genus belongings in a very short time. also an important source of Pachycoris. They are usually There are several species of food for a number of insect- forest insects. termites found in the Profile eating birds and lizards (Bacle islands, but the most well known and Towle, 2008). Of the more recognisable is the architect of the large pestilent species, flies are arboreal nests so often seen in But the most colourful and cel- perhaps the second most forested areas, sometimes high ebrated insects of Jost Van obvious after mosquitoes. There up in trees. These termites can Dyke and the satellite cays are are several native species, and construct homes that weigh members of the order Lepidop- many of these are critical to the over 45 kilos, and well over 120 tera, the butterflies and moths. pollination of native plants. centimetres in diameter. There are many species, in- Without them, many plants cluding the Red Rim, the Gulf would not be able to survive. A termite-control programme Fritillary and the Zebra, with its has been carried out at Sandy horizontal black and yellow- Beetles, despite their seeming Cay since the mid-1990s; it was green banding. scarcity to most observers, are implemented following a series actually quite abundant. There of hurricanes and the subse- The more common species of are many species on Jost Van quent proliferation of termite mammals, amphibians, reptiles, Dyke and the satellite islands; populations due to the abun- and invertebrates found on Jost some are very brightly coloured, dance of dead wood. A policy Van Dyke and its satellite islands even in iridescent green like the was established to allow termite are listed in Table 11. Chrysomelid Beetle, found on nests to remain in the interior of the leaves of Crotons in large the island, but to be eliminated from the island’s walking trail.

Table 11. Common mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates for Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Cay, and Sandy Spit.

STATUS: EN Endangered U Uncommon A Abundant NO Does Not Occur R Rare C Common NS Not Seen

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME JVD LJVD GC SC SS

MAMMALS Goat Capra hircus C C C NO NO Sheep Ovis aries C NO NO NO NO Indian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus C NS NS NO NO Cat (Feral Cat) Felis catus U NS NO NO NO Black Rat Rattus rattus C C C NO NS Roof Bat (or Pallas’ Mastiff) Molossus molossus C NS NS NS NS Jamaican Fruit Bat Artibeus jamaicensis C NS NS NS NS Antillean Cave Bat Brachyphylla cavernarum U NS NS NS NS Fishing Bat Noctilio leporinus U NS NS NS NS

AMPHIBIANS Antillean Frog Eleutherodactylus antillensis C NS NO NO NO Whistling Frog Eleutherodactylus Cochranae C NS NO NO NO Mute Frog Eleutherodactylus lentus EN NS NO NO NO Virgin Islands Coqui Eleutherodactylus schwartzi EN NS NO NO NO White-lipped Frog Leptodactylus albilabris R NS NO NO NO

REPTILES Crested Anole (Man Lizard) Anolis cristatellus A C C A U Barred Anole Anolis stratulus C C NS NS NS Grass Anole Anolis pulchellus C C NS NS NS Ground Lizard Ameiva exsul U U NS C NS Dwarf Gecko Sphaerodactylus macrolepis A C US C U House Gecko (Wood Slave) Hemidactylus mabouia C C NS NS NS Blind Snake Typhlops richardi C NS NS NO NO Virgin Island Tree Boa Epicrates monensis E NS NO NO NO Puerto Rican Racer Alsophis portoricensis NS NS R NO NO

INVERTEBRATES Tree Snail Family Pleurodontidae C NS NS NS NS Scorpion Genus Centuroides C C C C NS

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME JVD LJVD GC SC SS

Orb Weaver Spider Order Araneophae C C NS NS NS Millipede Order Anadenobolus C C NS NS NS Hermit Crab (Soldier Crab) Coenoloita clypeata C C C C NS Land Crab Genus Gecarcinus C NS NS NS NS Giant Land Crab Cardisoma guanhumi C NS NS U NS Fiddler Crab Family Oxypodidae C NS NS NS NS House Fly Musca domestica C C C C NS Jewel Bug(s) Genus Pachycoris C NS NS NS NS Chrysomelid Beetle Genus Altica C C C C NS Termite Nasutitermes costalis C C C C NS Red Rim Moth Biblis hyperia C C C C NS Gulf Fritillary Agraulis vanillae C C C C NS Zebra Moth Heliconius charitonia C C NS NS NS

SOURCES: Jost Van Dyke (JVD): IRF Fieldwork for Environmental Profile Project (2008). Little Jost Van Dyke (LJVD): IRF Fieldwork for Environmental Profile Project (2008), Teytaud (1983), Lazell (1980). Green Cay (GC): IRF Fieldwork for Environmental Profile Project (2008), Teytaud (1983), Lazell (1980), Lazell (1980). Sandy Cay (SC): Additional information available in IRF (2001b), Bacle and Towle (2008). Sandy Spit (SS): Teytaud (1983), Lazell (1983).

BIODIVERSITY ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

BIODIVERSITY ISSUE ONE To deal with these issues effectively, the community must first reach Invasive Species: Jost Van agreement about a course of action. This will be a challenge but could Dyke currently faces the be accomplished by employing steps similar to the following: considerable challenge of  increasing public awareness about the short- and long-term impacts of how best to manage the invasive species on the islands’ environment and the consequences of invasive faunal species inaction; that have become a part  identifying options and alternatives to remedy each issue and of island life. assessing the pros and cons of each, and  Of primary concern is the seeking government assistance or external expertise when community issue of free-roaming resources are not adequate to meet desired outcomes. goats in all of the Profile More specific recommendations are provided below, categorised by type islands except Sandy Cay of invasive. and Sandy Spit. Uncon- trolled, free-grazing live- Goats (See also Chapter 8, Issue One in the Recommendations section.) stock have significantly 1. An initial step in remedying the environmental damage caused by the free- contributed to land de- roaming goat population might be the establishment of an experimental terioration in the form of programme for Green Cay, designed to eliminate or remove all goats from soil loss and erosion and that island. have caused considerable reduction in the is- Green Cay is currently the property of the BVI Government (Crown Land), land’s biodiversity, partic- and is targeted as a future protected area within the BVI’s Protected Areas ularly its vegetative land System Plan (Gardner, 2007). The difference in the level of biodiversity on cover. Green Cay (with goats) compared to nearby Sandy Cay (goat free) is dramatic, especially considering that both islands are approximately the The introduction of the same size. The JVD community could seek support from the NPT to remove mongoose has also con- goats from Green Cay as the National Parks Trust has experience in this tributed to a reduction in process. wildlife. The health plight of feral cats scavenging at Little Jost Van Dyke, which has similar conditions to Green Cay, should also the waste disposal site be considered for a goat-removal programme. represents a further inva- 2. To manage the goats on JVD will require more involvement by the sives issue that needs to community in order achieve common purpose. A first step in this process be addressed. should be the assemblage of information about the numbers and ownership status of the island’s goat population, including the population that can be identified as property of a specific owner and the population that is free- ranging.

Individual goat owners will need to be encouraged to maintain their goats within their own property; how to accomplish this is perhaps the primary environmental challenge faced by the JVD community. Additionally, free- ranging goats should be removed from critical habitats or natural areas that require restoration because of previous goat impact.

All of these recommendations require compromise and agreement within the community that action is required before more of the island’s natural resources have been lost.

BIODIVERSITY ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

Mongoose

3. The mongoose-control programme in and around the Great Harbour community should be revived, including local training to jumpstart the effort. Training exercises should emphasise: (1) current mongoose impact on wildlife and the long-term consequences of inaction; (2) alternatives for controlling and monitoring the mongoose population; and (3) assessment of costs and sources of support to maintain the programme.

4. Consideration might be given to preparing a mongoose control-and- monitoring manual specific to the requirements of the JVD community.

Feral Cats

5. The small population of cats that is currently scavenging at the public waste disposal site should be removed due to the poor state of their health (perhaps with the assistance of the BVI Humane Society).

BIODIVERSITY ISSUE TWO 1. Salt ponds and mangrove forests that have been used as waste deposit sites need to be cleaned up, and waste and refuse should be removed, perhaps Salt Ponds: Many JVD salt as part of a targeted “island clean-up” or “anti-litter” campaign. Priority pond habitats are under ponds are those at White Bay and Great Harbour and the Clean Hole Pond. serious threat from the dumping of refuse and 2. The Department of Solid Waste should consider relocating garbage disposal waste into the ponds, sites at the edges of salt ponds, as their presence near these wetlands including construction encourages users to dump additional materials into the ponds. waste and sediments to reclaim wetlands. Not 3. Throughout the Caribbean, salt ponds have been under-appreciated for the only does this negatively valuable environmental services they perform, often viewed as little more impact the ecology of than a nuisance. In this context, recent educational programmes sponsored mangrove forests and by the JVDPS are very positive and timely. A specific emphasis on wildlife, wildlife habitats, but the (such as participating in NPT’s bird count programmes, with an emphasis on practice also increases the bird counts at JVD’s salt ponds) can be a particularly useful focusing device risk of pests such as rats, for stimulating more general interest and concern about broader feral cats and mongooses environmental issues, such as the importance of protecting salt ponds. and reduces the capacity of the ponds to contain 4. Because they serve as valuable avian habitats and provide storm wave floods, protect the buffering protection, the filling of ponds should always be avoided. coastline, and sustain 5. Mangrove seedlings could be planted in degraded mangrove areas. The local fisheries. JVD Primary School could be involved, with assistance from C&FD and NPT.

BIODIVERSITY ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

BIODIVERSITY ISSUE THREE 1. The concept of community stakeholders sharing or collaborating on management tasks where complex natural resources are intermixed with Loss of Plant Diversity and other land uses is not a new one but has been little practiced in the British Deforestation: Over the Virgin Islands. The idea is to employ a process of stakeholder collaboration years, feral and free- that leads to a shared commonality of purpose in the community, within a roaming livestock have larger framework that sometimes is referred to as “co-management”. expanded their range into Community management can be a government-led initiative or it can be an the forests and woodlands initiative led by community leaders or community organisations. of JVD, LJVD, and GC. Their destructive practices To implement this approach, the JVD community would collaboratively have negatively impacted assess options for establishing “management zones” on the island. Such many plant species, the areas would be similar to “management zones” already in place for Sandy growth and recovery of Cay (the Sandy Cay Habitat Management Area) and for the marine areas of surviving forests, and the Green Cay and Sandy Spit (Fisheries Protected Area). wellbeing of animal Terrestrial “management zones” could be established to protect sensitive species that depend on landscapes and vegetation areas on JVD; other areas could be earmarked healthy forests and for recreation such as a trail from Cape Wright westward along the north woodlands to survive. shore. More restricted “management zones” should be considered for some areas of forest habitat, including all ghut corridors. Goats would be excluded from these areas, thus allowing the forests to recover.

The implementation of any type of community management strategy for JVD would require time, education, and consensus (see also Chapter 8, Issue 1).

2. The JVDPS, perhaps coordinating its efforts with ongoing programmes of the NPT and the C&FD, could begin to collect seeds and cuttings for rare and endangered plants (such as the JVD Indian Mallow and the Tyre Palm) to ensure that the local genetic stock survives. In time, these can be replanted in selected areas on JVD, Little JVD, and Green Cay. Assistance could be requested from the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, which has provided such assistance elsewhere in the Territory.

BIODIVERSITY ISSUE FOUR 1. Key erosion-prone areas need to be better identified (perhaps in cooperation with the Department of Disaster Management). Areas Loss of Soils, Erosion, and especially vulnerable include along the road corridor from Bakers Bay to East Increased Sedimentation: End Harbour and along the ghut corridors draining into Great Harbour and Due to loss of vegetation White Bay. Best management practices, including sediment control from the over-grazing of measures, need to established, but will require technical support from the BVI animals, land slippage, Government or other external-to-JVD organisations and individuals. rock falls and mass movement of sediments, JVD, 2. Much of the road drainage on JVD needs to be improved, especially along LJVD and GC are exper- the road to East End Harbour. Current drainage along this road is not iencing considerable loss adequate. Sediment control devices could be installed to reduce sediment of soil, which ultimately is loads to coastal areas. Guidelines for sediment control practices in the washed into coastal environments.

BIODIVERSITY ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

insular Caribbean are available (for example, see IRF, 1994), but this is an issue that cannot be fully addressed without expert technical assistance and Government direction.

3. A reforestation programme on steep vulnerable slopes to stablise soils should be undertaken. The Department of Agriculture would need to take the lead in this on Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost; if Green Cay is eventually vested in the National Parks Trust as a protected site, then the NPT would take the lead in any reforestation effort there.

4. The community of JVD should encourage the BVI Government to pave or surface all roads on the island in an effort to reduce sediment runoff on unpaved surfaces. Scientists working at Fish Bay, St. John in the USVI agree that increased erosion is associated with unpaved road networks (see Ramos-Scharrón, et al., 2007). Road siting and cutting, especially for residential roads and paths, also need to be planned with more care and concern for the environment.

BIODIVERSITY ISSUE FIVE 1. ATVs and other off-road vehicles should be discouraged in sensitive User Impacts: The use of ecological areas such as sandy beaches, salt ponds, ghut corridors, and All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) wildlife foraging and nesting areas. ATV access to steep terrain that is and other forms of off- vulnerable to erosion should also be discouraged. Priority “sensitive” areas road vehicles in sensitive will need to be identified. ecological areas is a detriment to the healthy 2. Since ATV use is not currently regulated and most sensitive ecological areas survival of these fragile are not protected from use by ATV operators, any immediate change in user natural systems. behaviour will be the result of education. The development of educational activities and materials could help to teach ATV users, owners, and rental businesses about the damage caused to fragile ecosystems by these vehicles; alternative routes and options for recreational operators of ATVs could be promoted.

JOST VAN DYKE AND THE SEA

Unless otherwise noted, the informa- While many marine species seafaring skills and traditions tion in this chapter is drawn from the knowledge and research of the chap- have suffered from centuries of throughout the Caribbean, inter’s primary author, Clive Petrovic, a exploitation, many others cluding Jost Van Dyke. Sailing, BVI marine biologist and ecologist with over 20 years of Virgin Islands- survived in ecologically rowing, fishing and boat con- based experience. functioning populations. struction flourished. Islanders Perhaps artisanal fishing became skilled sailors as they THE PEOPLE OF JVD AND techniques and lack of large- frequented neighbouring shores THEIR BOND WITH THE scale coastal development for trading and socializing. SEA permitted their survival. That Craftsmen on populated islands however began to change in built sailing boats, and their de- the latter half of the twentieth signs reflected local needs and Most small islands in the Eastern century. More recently, poorly materials. Unique styles often Caribbean share similarities in planned land use practices in emerged, such as the Tortola their environments, culture, and upland watersheds, the over- Sloop in the BVI. history. Most are volcanic in harvesting of marine resources, origin, steep-sided and originally and waste disposal into coastal On the island of Jost Van Dyke, covered by dry tropical forests. waters have all resulted in with few terrestrial resources to They are fringed by tropical significant damage to coastal support its population—and coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and marine environments in the prior to the recent emergence mangroves and calcium- Caribbean. of tourism— islanders sustained carbonate beaches. Their themselves primarily through waters are clear but relatively Jost Van Dyke, one of the artisanal fishing and small-scale barren of the minerals and smallest populated Caribbean agriculture. The products of nutrients necessary for rich plant islands, has shared a similar farming and fishing were growth. past. A limited land area exported to nearby islands, resulted in a substantial reliance especially St. Thomas, and this The islands were once on the sea. The sea served as activity emerged as a primary populated by pre-Columbian an avenue of transportation source of revenue. Amerindians who looked to the and communication and a surrounding seas for food and source for food for those living Thus, Jost Van Dykians turned to for transport to more distant on JVD; it also became a waste the sea to facilitate trade. Sail shores. Beginning in the late disposal site and— more craft became an integral part fifteenth century, the native recently— a playground for of commerce and communica- populations were largely visitors. As it has been in the tion, while older residents can supplanted by Europeans and past, the sea is intertwined with also remember relatives who Africans. The European land the lives of Jost Van Dyke rowed to Cane Garden Bay in owners and their enslaved islanders. Tortola and the nearby islands labourers soon began to take of Great Tobago and Thatch advantage of the true wealth of Cay (pers. comm., Susan Zaluski, the West Indies—its natural Maritime Traditions JVDPS, 2009). In fact, the resources. In the region’s residents of Jost Van Dyke have coastal waters, the harvesting The desire for trade and social long enjoyed a reputation as of nearshore marine species interaction with nearby islands skilled boatmen and fishermen: began in earnest. stimulated the development of

It is said locally that [boatmen Since JVD’s tourist population THE MARINE from JVD] are so confident of extensively utilises the marine ENVIRONMENT their ability as sailors that they environment, any negative have never taken the trouble to environmental impacts are most learn how to swim. So, when- The marine environments readily visible there— in anchor ever there is a mishap to any surrounding Jost Van Dyke and damage to coral reefs and boat from these islands, the its satellite isles and cays are members of the crew who are seagrass beds, discharge of similar to those around most natives of Jost Van Dyke are the untreated sewage from boats, islands in the Lesser Antillean ones drowned (DeBooy, 1918). and injury to marine communi- archipelago. Both the physical ties by inexperienced snorkelers and biological characteristics of Over time, seafaring traditions and swimmers. the land/sea interface are became an integral part of the typical for tropical oceanic Additionally, when fishing and island’s development, perhaps islands. resource extraction were tradi- best reflected in the rich mari- tionally limited to local con- time heritage that evolved sumption and minimal exports Physical Conditions around sailing, fishing, sailing to nearby islands, over-fishing vessels, and the surrounding was rarely a problem. With A combination of topography sea. growing demands by tourists for and oceanographic conditions fresh local seafood, there are have produced the rocky new incentives that encourage headlands, sandy beaches, Tourism and the Sea fishermen throughout the BVI to and sheltered bays we see harvest marine species at levels around Jost Van Dyke today. As tourism began to develop in that may be beyond the limits Offshore, the sea bottom slopes the decades following World of resource sustainability. In the gently to the edge of the War II, opportunities, lifestyles opinion of one experienced BVI continental shelf to the north. and expectations began to ecologist (pers. comm., Clive Between the islands, depths change. The primary economic Petrovic, 2009), most species of rarely exceed 50 metres (164 force leading to change in JVD, economic importance have feet) and are generally much and throughout the BVI, was been heavily exploited in the shallower (Street, 1999). tourism, particularly the “sun, BVI, and the effect on biological sea, and sand” variety communities has been signifi- The American and British Virgin associated with coastal and cant. Islands lie on a bank that ex- marine environments. tends from the eastern end of Finally, coastal- and marine- Puerto Rico for 144 kilometres The combination of geography, based tourism has also exacted (90 miles) in an east-north- climate and a congenial pop- substantial social costs within easterly direction. Depths over ulation encouraged foreign small, previously isolated island the bank are less than 182 investors to develop the Terri- communities like JVD. While metres (595 feet). Anegada lies tory’s natural resources. Slowly, interactions with tourists provide to the northeastern end of the hotels, resorts, and marinas needed economic opportuni- bank, while most of the other were built on the major islands ties, such interactions also may islands lie near the southern and several of the smaller is- alter the traditional social fabric, edge. During the most recent lands too, including Jost Van standard-of-living expectations, glacial period, the entire bank Dyke. Tourists, arriving by air and lifestyle behaviours. was shallower, and, because of and (in JVD) by sea, helped fuel lower sea levels, the islands economic growth and prosper- were connected by land ity. But, with prosperity, came bridges (Heatwole, et al., 1981). change—including environmental change.

Substrates underwater and near In addition, periodic winter southwest side … a heavy the shore are primarily calcium ground seas and tropical storms winter ground swell can cause carbonates of marine origin. may further alter physical condi- breaking waves on the beach The erosion of the bedrock tions around the island. During that will make landing [almost] contributes inorganic minerals the winter months (October to impossible” (Fields, 1991). to the sand composition. April), high-swell waves from the Depending on exposure to sea north are likely to be expe- In recent years, human activ- conditions, beaches may range rienced along the north coasts ity—in particular, sedimentation from fine-grained particles, of islands in the BVI group. from onshore coastal develop- rocky gravel and cobbles to These “ground seas,” as they ment—has greatly impacted large boulders. The contrast are known locally, are gener- the marine environment. The between the exposed, high- ated by intense storms in the addition of pollutants such as wave-energy north coast and North Atlantic Ocean, which sewage, oil and fuel, chemicals the sheltered south side bays cause waves to move south as and other toxic materials further produces very different swells to impact the islands of damages these habitats. shoreline characteristics. the Eastern Caribbean. Such ground sea events may last for An increase in sewage and nu- Oceanographic conditions also between one day and one trients can lead to localised influence the physical environ- week, with an average of six eutrophication, which is the ments around the island and such events every winter sea- over enrichment of water re- therefore the biological com- son. They result in high-energy, sulting in a change of habitat munities that are present. The long-period waves that ap- characteristics, usually undesir- entire Virgin Islands archipelago proach from the north and able. It is very much like over is affected by the equatorial commonly have heights in fertilising a house plant. A little is currents sweeping in from the excess of 1 metre (3 feet) and good, while too much can be tropical Atlantic Ocean. occasionally as high as 5 metres fatal. The end result is that (16 feet). changes to physical water As the ocean currents strike the chemistry are then reflected in islands and the underwater These waves often cause an alteration of plant and plateau on which they sit, ed- considerable beach erosion. animal communities. dies, counter-currents and Sandy Cay, for example, is very shifting water masses impact all exposed to winter swell waves A good example can be seen in marine habitats. While the approaching from directions Great Harbour where runoff of equatorial current moves from between north and northeast; nutrients, possibly sewage, pro- east to west, currents between and while the north and duces a dark green algal cov- the islands may move in any northeast coasts are most ering of nearshore rocks in sev- direction. The added impacts affected, the waves can be eral places. The algae absorb of tides and surface winds may refracted to affect the other the excess nutrients and grow so greatly influence the distribution coasts of the island as well. As is fast that they smother all the of marine organisms. noted in the Yachtsman’s Guide species of plants normally found to the Virgin Islands: “On the in that habitat.

Biological Communities satellite islands are discussed 4. Coral Reefs: different types

Much of the information that follows below (see also Figure 5 and of soft and stony coral reefs; and in Appendix 3 is based on in-water Appendix 3 for species lists): hard substrates and corals observations of marine habitats by are the most widespread of the principal investigator, Mr. Clive Petrovic, in November of 2008, in- 1. Beaches: comprising sand, the shallow nearshore cluding swimming and roving-fish sur- gravel, and rocks. habitats around Jost Van veys, with qualitative assessments of Dyke and the satellite mangrove systems near Diamond Cay National Park and the area around 2. Coastal Mangroves: re- islands. Green Cay and Sandy Spit. Addition- stricted to the east end of ally, the principal investigator has car- the island and a few shel- 5. Sand Patches: scattered, ried out prior qualitative surveys at White Bay, around Sandy Cay, at the tered bays. but most extensive in western tip of Jost Van Dyke, around deeper waters north of the Green Cay, and along JVD’s northern 3. Seagrasses: scattered, but island. coast. most common in sheltered bays and to the east of The coastal and marine habitats JVD. surrounding JVD and the

Figure 5. A generalized overview of the coastal resources of Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Sandy Cay, Green Cay, and Sandy Spit (courtesy of the BVI National Parks Trust).

The composition and distribu- tions, turtles have been known tion of most nearshore marine Box 5 to nest on the beaches of Jost habitats surrounding the Profile ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, islands have undoubtedly Long-term monitoring of coastal Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit changed in recent years. The and marine habitats is needed if (Eckert, et al., 1992; Bacle and combination of reclamation, the scale of change and the level Towle, 2008). sediment runoff, domestic of impact on JVD’s biological sewage discharge and other communities are to be properly as- Since all species of marine impacts have changed the sessed. Optimum resource man- turtles are endangered, it is physical environments and agement depends on the availa- especially important to protect altered the biological commun- bility of a continuous flow of infor- the remaining nesting sites by: mation about the status of the re- ities. The rate of change has (i) enforcing restrictions on the source and its response to the im- accelerated as economically removal of beach sand for pact of development activities. stimulated development has The establishment of a baseline of construction aggregate, (ii) increased (Box 5). current conditions is the critically controlling trash dumping on important first step to the estab- beaches, and (iii) reducing the lishment of any environmental trampling of nest sites by 1. BEACHES monitoring programme for JVD. vehicles or excessive foot traffic. (See Chapter 2 for Sand beaches are largely re- information on relevant stricted to sheltered sites, espe- legislation.) cially on the south side of JVD. The south side bays, particularly Sea turtles depend on beaches The satellite islands of Sandy White Bay, contain sandy to lay their eggs. Historically, all Cay and Sandy Spit contain beaches with salt ponds and the beaches on JVD and sur- extensive beaches (Photo 29). wetlands on the landward side. rounding islands were important The beaches of Sandy Cay turtle nesting sites. Today, de- were studied in 2000-2001 and Along the northern coast of Jost spite greatly reduced popula- have been documented in Van Dyke, sheer rock cliffs and Island Resources all pockets of Foundation’s gravel and bould- detailed Re- ers provide source Charac- evidence of the terisation of high-wave energy Sandy Cay’s present much of ecosystems (IRF, the year. Fauna 2001b). are restricted to small interstitial In its study, IRF organisms, such as noted that what worms, clams, appears at times and mole crabs to be a serious that burrow into erosion problem the sand for pro- and loss of sand tection, or mobile on the long animals, such as sandy south- crabs and birds, Photo 29. westerly stretch which can exploit To the left in above photo is the southern rocky coast of Green Cay, an of beach is, in the environment important roosting site for Brown Pelicans. Also pictured is Sandy Spit, fact, the result of a during favourable with its wide sandy beach, varying between 20 and 45 metres (22-49 yards) from the vegetation line to the low water mark. The centre of movement of the conditions. Sandy Spit is vegetated with coconut palm, seagrape and sea purslane widest section of vegetation. An underwater bar joins Green Cay to Sandy Spit and the beach. The consists mainly of stones and hard substrate, with little sand.

Figure 6. Coastal features of Sandy Cay, from Island Resources Foundation (2001b).

tongue or mini-peninsula sheltered bays and along the Photo 30). The coastal fringe is seasonally oscillates due to the east end of Jost Van Dyke, comprised of Red Mangroves annual cycling of the ocean primarily south of Diamond Cay, along the water’s edge with swell direction and the seasonal where the most extensive cover Black Mangroves behind them occurrence of heavy ground of fringing mangroves in the where the conditions are swells from the north-northeast. study area can be found (see calmer and a bit drier. It appears that there is little or no net loss of sand Elsewhere, small patches resulting from this of coastal mangrove phenomenon. occur at the north of the ghut that drains into A map of the coastal Garner Bay (Little Harbour). features and beach At this site, all four species sections of Sandy Cay, of mangrove trees are taken from IRF’s 2001 represented. A smaller report is provided as fringe of Buttonwood Figure 6. Mangrove lines the beach in Saddle Bay.

2. MANGROVES Additional mangroves occur in the vicinity of the Coastal mangroves are Photo 30. seven salt ponds scattered restricted to a few Brown Pelican roosting in fringing Red Mangroves, south of Diamond Cay, East End Harbour, JVD. along the south and east

side of JVD, plus one on Sandy habitat degradation of the wet- isolated patches in deeper Cay. (For more details about lands may result in the loss of locations between coral reefs. these salt pond habitats, see important environmental ser- Chapter 3). vices performed by mangrove In deeper or more exposed systems. areas the grasses are sparse Mangroves are important to and less dominated by Turtle fisheries because they contain A few clumps of coastal Grass. Manatee Grass and nutrients for fisheries production. mangroves are found on the Shoal Grass are common as are The prop roots of Red Man- south shore of Little Jost Van many species of calcareous groves provide breeding and Dyke; however, the mangroves green algae. In the deeper nursery areas for some fish on JVD are the most extensive offshore waters north of the species. Equally important is the and at greatest risk. JVD, seagrasses are found in tendency of mangroves to trap small isolated patches, often and retain sediments that would near reefs or rock outcrops. 3. SEAGRASS BEDS adversely affect seagrass and coral habitats. A further envi- Many of the nearshore seagrass Seaward of mangrove roots ronmental service provided by habitats have been damaged along the coastline, seagrass mangroves is the protection or lost through past dredging beds cover the soft sand and they afford coastal areas from and coastal reclamation, mud bottoms. The most erosion by storm waves; for this sedimentation and pollution, abundant and widespread reason, mangroves are often and mechanical damage from seagrass noted is Turtle Grass. In associated with “protected boat anchors and fishing gear. more sheltered bays the Turtle anchorages” used by small Most of the remaining seagrass Grass observed had formed vessels in severe storms (for habitats show signs of stress and dense “meadows” that were example, Paraquita Bay in are at risk of further degrada- teeming with life. Many juvenile Tortola). tion. The resulting negative fish that find shelter in mangrove impacts—on the fishery and roots move into the grass beds The productivity and species other important marine to feed, particularly at night. diversity associated with processes—should be carefully Consequently, larger predatory mangrove communities were considered as part of any fish forage in the grass beds confirmed during the field resource management looking for smaller prey. surveys for this project. Many programme focused on Jost Occasional marine turtles were species of juvenile fish and Van Dyke. noted in the seagrass habitats. invertebrates were seen near the roots of coastal Red The most extensive grass beds 4. CORAL REEFS Mangroves on the east end of are located east of Jost Van JVD near Diamond Cay. Dyke in the direction of Green Hard substrates and corals are Pelicans and other birds Cay, Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay. the most widespread of the foraged along the shoreline The seagrasses occur mostly shallow nearshore habitats wherever mangroves were near JVD and Sandy Spit; the around Jost Van Dyke and the growing. bottom nearer Sandy Cay is satellite islands. The physical mostly sand with some rock conditions found on the While the coastal mangroves outcrops and patches of extensive and shallow Puerto appear to be in relatively good seagrasses. In the area where Rican Plateau are ideal for coral condition, most of the man- yachts anchor, the bottom growth. Variations in oceano- groves in the interior ponds probably contained more graphic conditions, depths, have been lost or degraded. seagrasses in the past. availability of bedrock or suita- Most ponds exhibit evidence of Seagrasses also occur in ble substrates, and other reclamation, sewage and sheltered bays along Jost Van characteristics determine the chemical pollution, and use as Dyke’s southern coast and as diversity and abundance of reef waste disposal sites. Continued

types. Figure 5 depicts the Much of the area is characte- end of the island and near the various reef types and marine rised as a Montastrea Reef, satellite cays. and coastal habitats surround- named after the most common ing JVD and its satellite islands. and conspicuous boulder coral. The marine systems of Sandy It is noted that the marine Such reef types tend to grow in Cay were studied in 2000-2001 environment around Jost Van exposed areas with lots of wave by Island Resources Foundation. Dyke is similar to that around the action. Some Acropora corals, Researchers found that the cay U.S. Virgin Islands, which has such as Elkhorn Coral and is surrounded by well-devel- been much better studied (see, Staghorn Coral, grow on the oped coral reefs, dense for example, Rogers, et al., large boulders. Marine life is gorgonian-covered platforms, 2008). abundant with schools of Grunt, patch reefs, and large sand- Snapper and numerous reef covered areas (Photo 31). See Most of JVD’s north coast is a species present. Figure 7, which displays the high-energy zone exposed to marine communities of Sandy open Atlantic Ocean condi- Along the sheltered south coast Cay as identified by IRF (IRF, tions. During storms and winter and between the islands to the 2001b). ground seas, large waves exert east, coral growth is quite dif- tremendous forces on all ferent. While soft corals, stony Most of the coral reefs around shallow water JVD show evidence of communities. degradation by natural processes and anthro- Evidence of the force of pogenic, or human- these waves can be seen caused, impacts. Often in the scoured cliffs and the causes are difficult the vegetation line many to separate and clearly metres above the shore. are connected. Hurri- The erosive forces have cane and storm dam- scalloped sea caves age is visible in many along the shore and exposed sites. However, undermined the cliff in it is likely that human- many areas. The induced changes in the underwater substrate is reef ecology have comprised of large weakened corals and boulders eroded from the Photo 31. made them more vul- cliffs with smaller rocks and Gorgonian-dominant habitat, nerable to natural gravel in protected north shore reef of Sandy Cay. forces. pockets. corals, gorgonians and sponges The visible characteristics The bedrock forms the are still common, there is of partially bleached coral were substrate for colonisation by greater diversity of species. In- observed in many areas during many species of marine plants terspersed in the sand and sea- the 2008 underwater survey for and animals. The most grass habitats are numerous the Profile project, although it conspicuous are the soft corals, coral outcrops. These are often was not possible to determine gorgonians and sponges. The dominated by Porites corals when the bleaching events dominant corals in this north and calcareous algae. Sea occurred. Bleaching refers to coast area are the star corals Urchins and other invertebrates the colour change of coral from and other boulder corals that are more abundant and con- brown or orange to white. It are the primary reef-building spicuous. Habitat diversity ap- occurs when unusually warm corals in high-wave-energy pears greatest on the eastern sea temperatures stress corals areas. and cause them to expel microscopic algae that live

Figure 7. Marine features of Sandy Cay, with identification of four marine system zones, from IRF, 2001b.

within their tissues. The algae Caribbean, including the U.S. species of algal grazers may are responsible for the various and British Virgin Islands. Coral have been over-harvested and colours of coral colonies. With- reefs in the USVI, Puerto Rico, therefore are unable to keep out the algae, the corals will and at least some areas in the the algae in check. These fac- sicken and eventually die. Even BVI (pers. comm., Shannon tors, and others, act in combi- corals that have recovered Gore, C&FD, 2009) suffered nation to stress corals to the from bleaching events become large declines in living coral (in point where reef habitats may susceptible to infection by some cases, over half the living not continue to function as they disease. Diseases such as Black- coral) as a result of bleaching in have in the past. band Disease are found on 2005 and a subsequent disease many boulder corals and are outbreak. It is likely that the Such changes have serious responsible for increased mor- Profile islands had similar losses consequences. Examples tality. (Wilkinson and Souter, 2008; include the collapse of fisheries, Rogers, Miller and Muller, 2008; loss of shoreline protection, Bleaching and disease events Rogers, et al., 2008). changes to water chemistry are not restricted to Jost Van and quality, and negative Dyke; in the last 15 years, coral Both bleaching and disease impacts on sea turtles and even diseases have become an permit algae to colonise the migratory pelagic species. increasing threat to the corals and out-compete them Equally important to the BVI and persistence of reefs in the for space. Parrotfish and other JVD economy is the impact on

the tourism industry. Clean, FISHERIES RESOURCES clear water and thriving coral Box 6 reefs are a major attraction for The earliest fisher folk IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON FISHERIES tourists. Without them, JVD and around Jost Van Dyke were A recently released report from the Centre the BVI become less attractive, probably visiting Amer- for Resource Management and and the economy will likely indians in pre-Columbian Environmental Studies (CERMES) at the suffer. times. Hunting in shallow University of the West Indies, Cave Hill lagoons and bays, they Campus, examines the impact of climate likely targeted larger ani- 5. SAND PATCHES change on the livelihoods of fisher folk from mals, particularly Manatee the Caribbean region. Damage to the coastal and and Caribbean Monk Seals. Fish, turtles, and any edible The report points out that, while much nearshore ecosystems can even attention has been paid to the devastating impact more distant locations. marine life were certainly harvested and formed an impact of climate change on coral reefs in To the north of Jost Van Dyke, the region, little research has been initiated the bottom slopes gradually to essential part of their diets. Since human populations into the potential impact of this global the edge of the underwater phenomenon on small-scale fisheries. plateau and from there were small with only mi- dropping precipitously to the nimal disturbance to Based on a Fishers Forum at the Gulf and Puerto Rican Trench, some 8,845 coastal habitats, there was Caribbean Fisheries Institute Conference in metres (29,000 feet) beneath likely little impact on marine Guadeloupe in 2008, the report highlights the surface. This area is known animal resources. likely impacts from climate change on as the “north drop” and is Caribbean fisheries: renowned for migratory game However, following Euro- − Changes to migratory patterns of fish fish. pean colonisation, the numbers of several species and bird species throughout the Caribbean. The several miles between the were depleted by hunting. island and shelf edge is Within two centuries, the − The invasion of marine species comprised primarily of bare Manatee and Monk Seals previously unknown in regional waters. sand with numerous coral out were extirpated from much − The increase in ciguatera poisoning of crops and patches of grasses of their former ranges. The fish in the northeastern Caribbean. and algae. These areas serve Monk Seal was finally driven as habitat for reef fish, lobster, to extinction, while the − The impacts of sea level rise and conch, and many other Manatee survives only in warmer waters on fishing activity. species. In turn, they attract remnant populations. − The vulnerability of fishing communities migratory game fish and even in coastal areas to sea level rise, storm marine mammals such as Numerous turtle kraals surges, and the increased violence and Humpback Whales, which were (crawls) around the Virgin frequency of hurricanes. observed in this area as recently Islands, including one in as February of 2009. All are White Bay (see Chapter 5), CERMES and its partner organisations are ultimately dependent on attest to the importance of planning more research and public shallow, nearshore mangroves, turtles in the inhabitants’ outreach initiatives to address how climate seagrasses and coral reefs. diet. While turtles still nest change may influence Caribbean fisheries on JVD beaches, their num- in the years ahead. bers are small. In recent years, turtles have nested [Source: “Impact of Climate Change on on beaches at White Bay, Caribbean Fisheries Sector” from www.caribbean360.com/ March 4, 2009.] Great Harbour, Sandy Ground, Sandy Spit and Sandy Cay (Eckert, 1992; Bacle and Towle, 2008).

Fish and other marine creatures JVD fishers are not limited to any In addition to the usual fish and were also harvested around single fishing ground, although invertebrates harvested for JVD. Traditional artisanal fishing because of the distance and food, other marine creatures practices have changed little travel time involved, they do not and products have been col- over time. Fish traps were generally fish off Virgin Gorda or lected for human use. The Gor- originally constructed of sticks, other more distant islands. Trap- gonian coral known as Sea Fan palms fronds and other natural and-hook and line fishermen fish was used as a sieve for sifting materials. Such traps were mostly around the island and to flour. There was also a limited generally fragile and degraded the north of the island, around harvest of sponges, although quickly. Any lost traps quickly the deeper part of the northern most were collected on the decomposed. bank. Seine fishing is carried out beach after storms. Some sea in the shallows nearer shore. salt was gathered from the Eventually, however, the Generally, most do not fish pond at White Bay. wooden trap gave way to the beyond five to ten miles from wire mesh fish pot. Now traps Jost Van Dyke. Prior to the growth of tourism, are more rugged and survive virtually everyone on JVD was sea conditions engaged in much longer. some aspect of Unfortunately, lost fishing. In the traps continue Box 7 “old days”, sev- catching and killing WOODEN ISLAND SLOOP eral men would marine life. Efforts fish from one are underway to In an effort to preserve an important piece of Jost Van boat, each man encourage the use Dyke’s maritime tradition, the JVD Preservation Society has with his own traps of biodegradable embarked on an ambitious plan to build and sail a wooden but all taking panels so lost island sloop. The sloop, christened Endeavor II, is under turns pulling in “ghost traps” do construction in Great Harbour. The building project is an the traps. Any not continue to en- educational effort that involves local school children. They catch beyond trap fish. learn the history of the boats as they help to build the sailing what was craft from the keel up. Once launched, students, residents, needed for local and perhaps visitors as well will have an opportunity to sail While the trap consumption was into history. remains the most exported to St. popular fishing This is not the only initiative aimed at preserving the BVI’s Thomas. gear, other tech- boat building traditions. The Centre for Applied Marine niques are utilised Studies at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Tortola While actual as well, for ex- has spearheaded several initiatives focusing on the data on catches ample, hand lining Territory’s maritime history, including the craft of traditional and landings are with hook and line. wooden boat building and the history of the Tortola sloop. scarce, local Limited diving for fishermen can conch, lobster and estimate their other animals takes successes. place in shallow Anecdotal evi- nearshore areas. dence suggests Since spear fishing fishers from the is illegal in the BVI, JVD community hand collection or the land approximately 2,000 lbs. employment of nets and of lobster, 1,000 lbs. of fish, seines are more often used in and only small numbers of sheltered bays and off conch annually. Such beaches. modest landings are probably a result of a de- Photo 32. Sloop Endeavor II under construction on Jost Van Dyke.

creased fishing effort due to As indicated earlier in this SUMMING UP — THE better-paid, alternative chapter, the people of the BVI INTERCONNECTEDNESS livelihoods for those who learned early on to build sailing OF IT ALL formerly fished full time. vessels out of local materials and developed seamanship The marine habitats around Jost Today, there are only about 20– skills to navigate their sailing Van Dyke and its satellite islands 30 part-time fishers on JVD. craft. Trees such as the White are diverse and still reasonably Fishing is now more a part-time Cedar, the national tree of the intact. The variety of shorelines activity, perhaps retained to BVI, were harvested for boat and the topography permit the some extent for its cultural asso- construction, often crafted in existence of numerous habitats, ciations. the unique style that came to from exposed, high-energy be known as the Tortola Sloop. coasts to calm, sheltered bays. One such fisherman is Foxy The diversity is remarkable for Callwood, a JVD businessman In time, bays throughout the such a small island. who continues to fish primarily to British Virgins filled with sloops retain his cultural roots. In the engaged in fishing—as well as Numerous underwater habitats 1960s, Foxy and his friend trading and transportation. are available close to the island, Vernon Soares fished together Some of the sloops based in often from the shore. While this for a living. That early bond of JVD included: Lolita, Valencia, provides a major attraction for friendship and their strong Providence, Sylvanita, Sunlight, tourists, it also makes the envi- connection to the sea and Endeavor, Reliance, Reindeer, ronments more vulnerable to fishing remains, despite business and Mistress. These represent exploitation and degradation. success in the field of tourism. only a few of the small vessels still remembered by Jost Van The marine species within the On JVD, such a story can be Dykians. The island’s residents Profile study area have been repeated many times, of relied on such sail craft for more continuously harvested for dec- individuals engaged in private than a century and a half. ades. Now, many are expe- enterprises promoting tourism riencing impacts from devel- but still keeping a hold on their In Jost Van Dyke, the symbiotic opment activities. Habitat loss, more traditional link to the sea, connection between fishing—as pollution, sewage discharge, to fishing, and to a renewed an occupation, as a source of improper waste disposal, and interest in historical sailing boats food, as a pastime—and the sediment runoff all contribute to (see Box 7). small sailing crafts that take the a declining environmental fishers to sea remains as strong quality in JVD’s nearshore as in the past. marine environment. If these issues are not more fully

addressed, they will continue to place stress on coastal and

marine resources and will in the end impact tourism—the

economic mainstay of the island’s future.

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUE ONE 1. Marine fishery reserves are a useful management tool to aid in the Like most islands in the sustainable development of the JVD fishery and associated marine habitats. Caribbean, most Jost Van A marine fisheries protected area was established at Green Cay/Sandy Spit Dyke species of fish and and is managed by the C&FD. The community of JVD, particularly the fishers invertebrates of commer- within the community, need to understand C&FD’s options and planning for cial value have been additional sites in the area. Such efforts will be most successful when there is declining, due to habitat a shared consensus between local stakeholders and C&FD about the limits of loss, pollution and resource exploitation and the value of resource conservation. continuous exploitation. 2. The concept of “user management” or “co-management” can be employed to mobilise local support for fishery protected areas under the policies established in the Fisheries Act (see Chapter 2). Involving

stakeholders in decisions about the reserves is particularly important in areas where there is multiple use of the resource, for example, where commercial fishing co-exists with marine recreational activities within a marine protected

area. All resource users, as well as the Government, have an interest in achieving successful management of the fishery.

3. The JVD community of fishers should assess the use of fish traps, seines, lines, and other methods for harvesting fish in order to better understand the impact of current practices on the resource. The more information and knowledge available concerning traditional fishing equipment, methods and patterns, the better prepared the community will be to consider optional means to regulate or modify techniques and equipment as necessary.

4. A targeted fisheries-data-collection programme might be considered specifically for JVD. The primary purpose would not be to obtain precise figures for total landings, for example, but rather to provide a means for recognising major trends to guide future resource management decisions. C&FD should be consulted so that JVD data is integrated with the Department’s larger fish data collection system.

5. All marine turtles are considered endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The JVD Preservation Society, in cooperation with the C&FD, could promote educational opportunities to increase awareness about BVI legislation Photo 33. Turtle hatchling at regarding sea turtles and the importance Sandy Cay, of protecting turtle populations, including September 2004. nesting beaches. The emphasis of local efforts should be on education and monitoring, coordinating JVD efforts with the Territory’s wildlife protection agency. Anecdotal evidence about past turtle nesting populations might be collected as part of a more comprehensive oral history programme.

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUE TWO 1. The Environmental Profile team was unable to identify evidence of significant Since JVD is steep and land use planning—currently or in the past—for Jost Van Dyke. Some small, all development on preliminary planning was carried out in 2002 by the T&CPD for White Bay and the island should be Great Harbour, but generally little long-term land use planning appears to considered coastal have occurred since Town and Country Planner Ivor Jackson visited JVD in development. Any 1978 and solicited feedback from the community regarding its “physical disturbance on land is also planning needs” (Jackson, 1978). If the community wishes to move forward likely to impact nearshore in developing and adopting an island-wide land use plan that expresses its marine habitats. hopes and expectations within the framework of sustainable natural resource use, then it will have to assume a more aggressive position in making its priorities known to Government.

2. Environment Impact Assessments are now required for development activities in the BVI (under the Physical Planning Act, 2004). The community and organisations within the community have an opportunity to participate in this process by reviewing development proposals, participating in decision- making about development activities, and generally assisting the process as informed advocates for local stakeholders.

3. The community, perhaps through a local community-based organisation, should consider the extent to which it could assume a modified “watchdog” role in monitoring the impacts of land-based development on the health and sustainability of marine and coastal environments.

For example, community oversight of the following types of activities, coupled with the collection and assemblage of site-specific data, will assist Jost Van Dykians in alerting appropriate public sector agencies to environmental concerns on the island, particularly if this can be accomplished in a spirit of mutually shared problem solving:

− Monitoring of ghuts and important drainage areas to minimise sediment transport to the marine environment.

− Monitoring of road cuts to ensure runoff is directed and dissipated so as to reduce sediment flow into the sea.

− Monitoring of salt ponds to ensure protection of their natural functions, particularly by eliminating fill operations and the use of the ponds for waste disposal.

− Monitoring of sewage and waste disposal sites to ensure they do not contaminate nearshore waters.

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUE THREE 1. The BVI lacks officially approved water quality standards in law to prevent, abate and control pollution in nearshore waters. Standards are utilised by Development along the the C&FD, but these are not formally approved regulations and carry the risk coast of JVD, especially of being employed on an ad hoc basis. Until the BVI Government puts the for tourism infrastructure force of law behind monitoring and regulating coastal water quality, and activities, has de- enforcement of pollution control standards will remain inadequate and graded the island’s water marine waters will remain at risk. quality. Evidence of domestic sewage dis- 2. In cooperation with the C&FD, the JVDPS might explore a citizens-based, charge and other forms of water quality monitoring programme for JVD, in an effort to acquire pollution is evident in the targeted, longer-term, and reliable information on the island’s coastal and island’s population and marine environments. Documentation on trends, supported by a continuous tourism centres at Great data stream, is essential to the formulation of a rational Government Harbour and Little response to changes in coastal water quality. Harbour. 3. All development projects on the island should be required to employ standard erosion control measures. Community organisations elsewhere, e.g., the Fish Bay Owners Association in St. John, USVI, have been effective in educating property owners about erosion and in devising innovative best management practices to control erosion and runoff on steep residential hillsides.

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUE FOUR 1. Jost Van Dykians should take steps to preserve the island’s historical heritage A small insular community and cultural traditions by protecting surviving historical artefacts and like JVD is uniquely at risk recording the oral recollections of senior members of the community (see from the combined effects also Chapters 5 and 6). of rapid development, un- 2. Efforts to promote awareness about the community’s shared past should be sustainable use of natural encouraged and expanded. JVD’s maritime past is particularly unique to this resources, and new pat- community, and efforts should be supported to include this piece of the terns of cultural assimila- island’s history in educational programmes and to showcase maritime tion. The cohesion that traditions for tourists as an added “island experience”. was once characteristic of the community may be altered by new externally driven forces, resulting in, among other things, diminishing respect for the environment and loss of traditional values.

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

MARINE/COASTAL ISSUE FIVE 1. The community should work with the NPT to ensure the installation of Although tourism has additional moorings for visiting yachts, particularly in the waters surrounding fueled the economic the new national park at Sandy Cay. growth of JVD, it is also 2. The community and the JVD Preservation Society need to work with responsible for most of the Government, and in particular with the NPT, to promote educational marine environmental activities and materials, as well as marine-focused user guidelines and degradation we see regulations, that highlight some of the following: today. Generally, tourists − require more resources The use of vessel holding tanks in crowded anchorages and sensitive and produce more waste marine habitats. than resident populations. − The provision of an adequate number of appropriate onshore waste disposal facilities that are convenient for boaters.

− The creation of underwater snorkel trails as an amenity for visitors and residents alike and to direct swimmers away from sensitive habitats.

− The development of educational materials, specifically targeting JVD and its satellite isles and cays and providing guidance to boaters on using and protecting the environment when anchoring and snorkeling.

− Providing guidance to beach users about appropriate activities that will not interfere with sea turtle nesting and information about where to report turtle sightings—whether turtle nests, eggs, hatchlings, or nesting females.

3. The current collaboration between the JVDPS and the NPT for caretaking services at Sandy Cay could perhaps be broadened to include the larger JVD community in other activities that help to sustain and protect the park at Sandy Cay.

4. JOST VAN DYKE’S HISTORICAL HERITAGE

This chapter is based on prelimi- Environmental Profile project, IMPORTANT SITES nary field work and research carried out on Jost Van Dyke and revealed that contrary to what Little Jost Van Dyke in August might be expected, there are in The islands of JVD and LJVD and October of 2008 by HLSCC fact a number of historic sites include a number of historical historian and Senior Lecturer, Michael D. Kent. In October, surviving on both islands that sites that represent a variety of Kent was assisted by Sendrick are relatively unique. original uses including agricul- Chinnery, an island resident and a tural, residential, military, indus- former Virgin Islands history student of Mr. Kent. Unless The sites also readily lend them- trial, and religious. Their survival otherwise noted, the findings selves to display within the today reminds us of an earlier presented in this chapter are framework of the Territory’s observation by BVI Commis- based on Mr. Kent’s archival and field research and analysis. modern tourism product. Their sioner N.G. Cookman in 1897 accessibility and condition that “no new houses [are] being could easily be improved upon erected [on Jost Van Dyke], In assessing the historical herit- and the sites marketed as a and those now on the island age of Jost Van Dyke and Little heritage tourism package, pro- [are] falling into decay”. There Jost Van Dyke, particularly the viding a new niche to attract is a surprising lack of vernacular islands’ surviving historic sites resident tourists on JVD as well architecture on both islands in and ruins, it must be remem- as overnight guests from Tortola the form of the small wooden bered that throughout the plan- and day visitors embarking from huts and cottages which tation period—which in the BVI cruise ships calling in the Terri- housed residents and which are lasted roughly between 1710 tory. found in abundance on other and 1840—both islands were nearby islands such as Tortola. considered relatively barren and were settled and farmed The nine primary sites on Jost accordingly. However, a recent Van Dyke and Little JVD are physical inspection of historic depicted on Figure 8 and Photo sites, carried out as part of the 34 as follows:

Figure 8. Location of historic sites, Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost Van Dyke; for identification of site numbers, see text on the next page (map source: Google Earth, 2008).

1. LJVD: The Lettsom The residence itself is rectangu- stone oven to the rear of the Settlement (residential and lar in shape and sits upon a residence. agricultural use). larger rectangular earth platform which has been retained Fortunately, a drawing execut- 2. JVD: Brown Ghut Ruins at the front with a wall reaching ed by William Thornton (see Box (residential and agricultural approximately six feet in height; 8) in the late eighteenth century use). it is punctuated by five steps in shows how the building looked the middle, creating an en- intact, providing documentary 3. JVD: Mill Round Sugar Mill trance feature. evidence rarely found for the and Cistern (industrial and BVI (Abraham, 1933). agricultural use). The main residence was divided into two chambers with an To the rear of the residence on 4. JVD: White Bay Fort (military entrance opening to the north the west side is found what is use). and an entrance opening generally referred to as a Dutch above the steps on the west oven in which most of the food 5. JVD: Turtle Crawl at White side of the structure. There is would have been cooked. This Bay (enclosure for sea life). also an entrance opening on has almost entirely collapsed, the east side, which was but a small oval portion remains 6. JVD: Foundation of a probably used primarily by to identify its original use. Ovens residence or storage facility, domestic slaves to access the like this may still be seen above White Bay (residential or agricultural use). Box 8. BORN IN THE BVI

The island of Little Jost Van Dyke is associated with a prominent 18th Century Quaker, 7. JVD: Standing wall at White Dr. John Coakley LETTSOM (1744-1815), whose fellow physician and Quaker, Dr. Bay (unknown use). William THORNTON (1759-1828), was born in neighbouring Tortola.

Lettsom was born on the family plantation on Little Jost Van Dyke in 1744 but sent to 8. JVD: Cape Wright and England as a young boy to be educated in the field of medicine. He returned to the LJVD: Lettsom Settlement Virgin Islands in 1767, following the death of his father. While settling his father’s affairs, (prehistoric sites). he freed his slaves before returning to England in 1768, never to see the islands again. In 1773, at the age of 28, Lettsom founded the Medical Society of London; he also inaugurated a system of dispensaries that enabled poor people to be treated as 9. JVD: Methodist chapel at outpatients and was deeply involved in a campaign against quackery and in support Great Harbour (religious). of prison reform and improving the medical care of prisoners. He was also author of a guidebook for travelers entitled Naturalist’s and Traveller’s Companion, which included sections on methods for collecting butterflies, moths and beetles, for preserving birds 1. Lettsom Settlement and animals, and for bringing home seeds and plants (Durham, 1972).

Although some sources have identified Jost Van Dyke as the birth place of William The Lettsom settlement is Thornton in 1759, the editor of Dr. Thornton’s papers (Harris, 1995) confirms that he was located on Little Jost Van Dyke born in Tortola. Like Lettsom, he was sent as a boy to England to be educated among and was the birthplace and Quakers. He later studied medicine in Scotland, receiving a medical degree in 1784 early childhood home of Dr. (it was while he was in Scotland that Thornton and Dr. Lettsom became friends). In 1787 he immigrated to the United States, eventually becoming a citizen. At age 31, John Coakley Lettsom (1744- he married and returned to the Virgin Islands to live at the family plantation, called 1815), founder of the London Pleasant Valley, in Tortola. His correspondence with Lettsom indicates that Thornton Medical Society (see Box 8). To seriously considered returning the slaves he inherited from his father to Africa. construct such a substantial Eventually he was enticed back to the United States when the design he had residence anywhere in the BVI submitted for a capital building was selected, and President George Washington appointed him Commissioner of the new federal city in Washington in 1794. He was would have been unusual, the first head of the U.S. Patent Office (appointed in 1802 until his death) and was the making it all the more unique to author of books on such diverse subjects as the origin of steamboats, the education of find this example on one of the the deaf, the abolition of slavery, and a plan for uniting North and South America via a smallest of the Virgin Islands. canal through Panama.

throughout the Territory and in create a natural basin. In areas some cases are still regularly where this depression is incom- Box 9. used. plete, low walls have been HISTORICAL ARTEFACTS ON LJVD

erected to contain the trapped Students participating in an archaeo- A substantial number of ce- fresh rain water. Potentially, this logy project during the summer of ramic fragments have been feature could have held around 2008 discovered over 1,300 pieces recovered from this area sug- 100 gallons of water, making it a of artefacts on the island of Little Jost gesting the possibility of a rub- vital addition to the plantation Van Dyke, mostly broken pottery and glass, dating from 1762 for ceramic bish midden (refuse heap) in the landscape. production and from 1735 for pipe immediate locale. Evidence of stem measurements. In a report to burial mounds can also be seen The Lettsom settlement on LJVD the BVI Department of Culture, team to the rear of the residence, is already being closely studied leader John Chenoweth (Ph.D. can- which corroborates Thornton’s by John Chenoweth from the didate from the University of Califor- nia at Berkeley) stated the project’s identification (Abraham, 1933) University of California at goal was to tell the story of the site of the burial spot of Lettsom’s Berkeley, who in his first season and of the people who lived and parents as being at the rear of (2008) collected and worked there during the eighteenth their former home. catalogued a variety of cultural and nineteenth centuries. The team material (see Box 9). These returned to Little JVD in 2009; they hope to identify the area where the To the west of the main structure artefacts are currently being island’s enslaved Africans lived. are the remains of dry stone stored at the H. Lavity Stoutt terracing, which runs in a series Community College in Tortola parallel to the shoreline all the until a proper facility is available way to the sea. It was in this on JVD or LJVD. former settlement might have area that the cotton plantation been located. Closer inspec- would have been located, the tion of the topography reveals staple crop grown on LJVD. 2. Brown Ghut Ruins areas where the landscape has deliberately been flattened to The shoreline has been divided These extensive ruins are the accommodate the site, which between beach and fertile land most remote on JVD and can initially appears to be approx- by a large dry stone wall that only be reached on foot after a imately 0.5 acres in size. runs the length of the planta- considerable walk through the tion. This would have been bush on the east end of the The foundations of large constructed to retain precious island. This, however, should not standing walls have been soil behind the wall during be detrimental to their display heavily corrupted by tree roots, heavy rains and to prevent soil because the trail leading to the leading to an almost complete from running into the sea. site appears to follow the origi- collapse of the remaining walls. nal plantation era approach An indeterminable series of Probably the most curious fea- and presents a variety of inter- aggregate-bound retaining ture of this entire ruined ensem- esting plants along the way. walls surround the area. Their ble is a water catchment plat- extent will only be revealed form on the northwest side of The trail is accessible after leav- once the site has been cleared. the shoreline. A variety of water ing the main road directly op- catchment methods have been posite the large black water Many of the corners for these observed throughout the BVI tank at the east end of JVD. It walls have been damaged by but none replicate this style, gradually declines until it the removal of red bricks for making the catchment at the reaches a ghut. Along this clear later use, quite likely in locally Lettsom Settlement unique in path is evidence of dry stone built Dutch ovens. Curiously, a the Territory. A large boulder, walls and plant life. After Dutch oven, constructed upon thrown to the surface during the reaching the ghut, the trail be- a large boulder, remains at the volcanic creation of the island, gins winding towards a knoll on site. This is the only recorded has slowly eroded in its centre to the landscape, upon which a example of a Dutch oven built

on a boulder in the Territory. industrial site) located to date construction of the Territory’s The obvious insulating properties on JVD. A further unique fea- new hospital building, was the of the boulder undoubtedly ture of the site is a catchment government catchment plat- meant the oven would have platform and oval cistern. Only form in Road Town demolished; stayed hotter longer, making it one other example remains in the catchment was a feature not only considerably more the Territory. that had long dominated the practical but also economic in Road Harbour landscape. that less charcoal would have The site is still easily located to- been required for burning. day and is even marked on A far larger and impressive ex- maps as “Mill Round”. Almost ample than that on JVD may be Although fragments of immediately upon leaving the found at Fort Purcell on Tortola; creamware ceramic shards road on the north side, ruins are however, this was the largest were found on the approach encountered contiguous to a military site ever constructed in trail to the site, surprisingly few small ghut. the BVI and once housed ap- were visible amongst the ruins, proximately 1,500 soldiers. probably as a result of the The first structure on the north- However, to find a civil example dense leaf coverage within the east side is an angled platform in a remote location amongst confines of the walls. Only an used to catch rainwater that the ruins of a sugar mill, as seen organised clearance and a runs into an oval, mortar-ren- here in Jost Van Dyke, is quite survey of the site will reveal the dered cistern. Familiar in other unusual in the BVI. original use of this area. Caribbean islands such as St. Kitts and Antigua, this method of The mill-round platform (see Box The presence of ceramic shards collecting rainfall was consi- 10) is still apparent, and the and a Dutch oven suggest a dered efficient enough to be central foundation within which residential occupation, but the used well into modern times on the roller cradle would have site is too large for just a house. Tortola. Only recently, during been fixed, is visible. The boiler Interestingly, the site looks directly down onto LJVD, and, during contemporary times, the Box 10. SUGAR PRODUCTION IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS Lettsom settlement would have been visible. In an era when Sugar production in the Virgin Islands dictated that every plantation in the colony have communications were limited, its own processing plant, consisting of two primary structures: (1) the MILL ROUND (or animal round) and (2) the BOILING HOUSE. maintaining visual contact with the neighbouring plantation The objective was to extract juice from the cane and then reduce it to a solid. was vital, especially during Cut cane would be brought to the mill round, which was a circular earthen platform uprisings or potential invasions. with a wooden cradle in the middle supporting three heavy iron rollers. A large cross beam would be attached to the cradle extending to the edges of the circular platform. Attached to either end of the beam would be a dray animal walking in a circle and 3. Mill Round Sugar Mill and thus turning the beam attached to the central roller in the cradle. This roller was cogged to the other two rollers, and when the central roller turned, so would the other Cistern two on either side. The cut cane was then passed in between these rollers and crushed, making the juice flow out into a holding cistern at the bottom of the cradle. This ruin is the foremost remain- The juice was then reduced to a solid in the boiling house, a structure containing four ing historic site from the planta- heavy cauldrons in which the juice was slowly reduced. The iron cauldrons would be tion era on JVD, an assessment secured in a masonry surround known as the “copper battery”, underneath which fires based primarily on two factors. would be lit enabling evaporation of the liquid constituent in the juice. Firstly, it is easily accessible, lo- A bi-product of sugar production was rum, which provided an alternative income and cated above Great Harbour trading commodity for many planters. A copper still, where the rum was brewed, only a few feet away from an would be placed in a masonry surround adjacent to the sugar works. Although many established road; secondly, it is of the stills in the BVI have been removed, the telltale masonry surround (Historic Site 3) the only example of a sugar provides evidence that rum was produced in combination with sugar. works (i.e., sugar production

house beneath is largely col- powers attempted to control the length of Tortola’s north lapsed, but evidence of the the lucrative sugar islands. As a shoreline. Due to the copper battery is still discerna- consequence, the British West accessibility of the site, few ble inside, whilst outside the Indies was heavily fortified, artefacts remain visible, stoking orifice for one of the fur- including Tortola, which was although ceramic fragments naces remains in a semi-col- surrounded by approximately 25 and the base of an eighteenth- lapsed state. emplacements. The smaller century beer bottle, common to satellite islands like JVD also military sites, were observed. Adjacent to the boiler house is a mounted cannons on small structure that appears to be the batteries guarding the primary base of a Dutch oven. This is bays. 5. Turtle Crawl (Kraal) at not a residential site, however, White Bay making it more likely that this On JVD, White Bay was fortified. small foundation is in fact the Evidence of this can be found in This interesting structure allowed base of a rum still. Rum, the papers of the Road Town fisherman to keep their catch extracted from the sugar crop, Council in September of 1779, fresh and available for con- provided another revenue where it was “Resolved that sumption within a controlled source for JVD, one which whatever cannon or other war- environment. Essentially, the found a ready market in the like materials provided by John structure is a semi-circular wall United States and Europe. The Skelton Esq. for the use of Joes whose top rises above the sur- remains of the foundation of [sic] Van Dyke be reimbursed by face of the water and whose rum stills, located next to sugar the public” (Road Town Council edges conform to the shoreline works, may be found Chambers CO 316/1 p.374 RHS). shape. Once caught, fish and throughout Tortola. A document from 1801 (Na- turtles could be stored within tional Archives, 1801) records their natural habitat, albeit The area surrounding the site is the presence of a fort at White trapped or corralled—hence littered with ceramics and glass, Bay, which guarded the en- the derivation “crawl”. which could provide a dating trance through a coral reef into source to define a relatively the bay. A number of these structures accurate cycle of activity at this survive in the BVI on Virgin site. Evidence of blue The remains of the White Bay Gorda, Tortola, Peter Island and Pearlware was observed, which Fort are found today on the JVD. Certainly the most suggests a late-eighteenth-to- small rocky outcrop that divides impressive is found on Tortola early-nineteenth-century the beach in two. A footpath directly opposite Beef Island at occupation, typical for the BVI. across the outcrop runs close to the point where a small bridge Subsequent to this period, sugar the only surviving standing ruins. joins Tortola and Beef Island. A became unprofitable, and These ruins represent the modern house was built in the statistics for 1815 reported that remains of a small residence, vicinity and is called Turtle none was produced on JVD. most likely the guardhouse. Crawl. Unfortunately, the owner Consequently, this sugar works More low foundations can be knocked a hole in the crawl wall was operational prior to this seen to the rear of this building that enabled him to shelter his date, probably being including what was once a boats within the crawl confines, abandoned in the early small enclosed structure, essentially creating an enclosed nineteenth century. possibly the former powder marina. This type of damage magazine. can also be observed at the Pockwood Pond Crawl on the 4. White Bay Fort A little further to the east is an west end of Tortola. escarped platform, the remains The eighteenth century saw of a flat packed-earth battery. The crawl at White Bay has almost constant warfare in the This type of simple battery, already deteriorated, and the West Indies as various European cheap to construct, protected top does not rise above the

surface anymore. This may be two post holes either side of the which will only be solved by a because the wall has been entrance would have each concerted effort to clear and damaged by tidal surge since encased two thick wooden document the site. Like much abandonment or because the posts. Similar posts would have of the island, there is a thick water level in the immediate been placed at the four corners layer of leaf detritus covering area has risen enough to cover of the structure providing the the confines of the surviving it. Certainly, the edges of the framework to which smaller structure, probably concealing wall do not conform to the batons would have been fixed further clues to its history. beach, suggesting that the and then covered in either shoreline profile has changed wooden boards or shingles. The A large salt pond located since construction. whole would then have been below the site provides one roofed with thatch, probably indication of its possible use in The crawl at White Bay is very from the Tyre Tree that can be the past. Due to its preservative visible as a submerged feature found in abundance on nearby properties, salt was an ex- from the shoreline (Photo 34, Site Great Thatch Island and from tremely valuable commodity, 5) and can in fact be distin- which the name of the island is which, once harvested, could guished in satellite photogra- derived. be exchanged for other goods. phy. Although an underwater Although there is no immediate study of the site was not under- Curiously, no other foundation evidence to link the thick wall taken during the Profile Project, presence was observed in the and the salt pond, the brackish the fact that the seabed sur- immediate vicinity. However, nature of the surrounding soil rounding the wall is composed the tall guinea grass that car- would probably negate any almost entirely of sand suggests pets the area may be obscuring agricultural activity in the area, the wall has provided shelter for other archaeological features. making this hypothesis worth fish and other sea life and has pursuing. created an environment especially conducive to snorkeling. 7. Standing Wall, White Bay 8. Prehistoric Sites This unusual feature sits 6. Residence Foundation precariously on a steep decline Consecutive years of excava- and is similar in appearance to tion on Jost Van Dyke and Little Perched on a peak towards the a buttress support. The angular, JVD by Dr. Brian Bates of west end of Jost Van Dyke thick andesite and lime mortar Longwood University, Virginia above White Bay are the low fabrication is consistent with a (USA) have revealed two fertile rectangular foundation remains structure retaining another prehistoric archaeological sites, of a structure, which, most likely, building to the rear, although the first at Cape Wright on JVD was once used as a residence nothing remains behind apart and the second at the Lettsom or storage facility for a from low, mortar-bound Settlement on LJVD. A summary plantation-era cotton farmer. foundation walls. of his work is provided by Dr. The walls only reach on average Bates in Box 11. height of approximately 15 The steep nature of the imme- inches and were constructed to diate topography and the ar- 9. Methodist Chapel, encase a wooden building. The chitecture of the remaining wall Great Harbour sheered, angular, lime-mortar appear to be contemporary to rendering that caps the walls each other, leading the ob- The arrival of John Hammet on confirms that they were never server to question why anybody Tortola in 1789 triggered a series any taller. would want to expend effort of events that still have a and money to build within such profound influence on the A doorway on the east wall of a prohibitive environment. The Territory today. Hammet was the structure points to the lack of further standing evi- the first Methodist missionary to method of construction. The dence presents a quandary, be dispatched to the BVI from

England, and within one year The National Archives at Kew in Box 11. PREHISTORIC SITES he had amassed a congrega- the United Kingdom tion of 900 followers. His (www.nationalarchives.gov.uk) In 1998, a team of archaeologists success encouraged further retains a wealth of information from Longwood University led by Brian Bates embarked on a survey to expansion of the church and chronicling BVI history and un- identify prehistoric sites on JVD and led to chapels being built on doubtedly has many references LJVD. That effort resulted in the identi- most of the occupied BVI. to JVD and LJVD. Another arc- fication of two ephemeral prehistoric hive worth studying is the Dutch sites—one at White Bay and one at The example surviving on JVD is records office Little Harbour on Jost Van Dyke. probably the most often illu- (www.en.nationaalarchief.nl/ Two more significant sites were also strated Methodist chapel any- default.asp), which contains identified. The first is the scatter of where in the BVI (Photo 34, Site information about the seven- surface finds at the Lettsom Settle- ment on Little JVD. The second is the 9). A number of paintings, post- teenth century Dutch Republic more significant prehistoric site at cards and calendars have fea- occupation of the BVI. Cape Wright on the east end of Jost tured the chapel, whose posi- Van Dyke overlooking Little Jost. The tion close to the beach and We know that settlers who research since 1998 formed a major shoreline presents an idealistic migrated to Tortola in the mid- component of a doctoral dissertation on the prehistoric settlement of the image of Caribbean community seventeenth century were Virgin Island Group (Bates, 2001). religion. dispatched from the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Eustatius, Since 1998, Dr. Bates and his teams conducted further investigations on A closer inspection of the where records may reveal more JVD in 1999, 2004, 2005, and 2007, yellow-washed foundations re- about who these people were. with yet another season planned for veals that they pre-date the Additionally, a vibrant historical 2009. The results of this work are modern chapel, having proba- group on the island, the St. preliminary at this time. bly been constructed in the Eustatius Historical Foundation What is known is that Cape Wright mid-nineteenth century. The (www.steustatiushistory.org), served as the largest settlement on adjoining cistern and bell tower maintains close ties with the island and, based on radiocarbon compliment the religious archi- academic institutions in Holland. dating as well as ceramic styles found at the site, we know it was tecture of a building that is sim- occupied from at least 600 A.D. until ilar to many other chapels on There is also considerable sometime just after 1300 A.D. The Tortola constructed after the information available detailing archaeological deposit at Cape 1923 hurricane. The building is the life of John Coakley Lettsom Wright is deep—approaching one still in regular use and is a focal of LJVD. James Johnston metre in places—and has good stratigraphic integrity*. Bates has point for the modern commu- Abraham’s book, Lettsom: His concluded that the site has great nity on JVD. Life, Times, Friends and potential to yield detailed information Descendants, published in 1933, about prehistoric life not only on Jost occasionally comes onto the Van Dyke, but in the British Virgin DOCUMENTARY market and is the most detailed Islands as a whole. RESEARCH biography of this famous With the exception of some late- surgeon’s life. More rarely, sixteenth-to-late-seventeenth- copies of Lettsom’s Life of century historic activity at the site, Archives, located in Europe and which is also being examined by the Fothergill, published in the late the Caribbean, are possible Bates team, the prehistoric sources for additional informa- eighteenth century (Lettsom, component at Cape Wright has been tion to relate the history of Jost 1783), also becomes available. virtually undisturbed over the centuries, thus making its potential to Van Dyke and Little Jost Van yield information on the prehistoric Dyke, which to date remains past unparalleled in the BVI. mostly an untold story.

∗ “Stratigraphic integrity” refers to the surface layers which have accumulated over time but have not been disturbed by subsequent human intervention.

Photo 34. Historic sites of Jost Van Dyke and Little JVD.

SITE 1 SITE 2 LETTSOM SETTLEMENT, LITTLE JOST VAN DYKE Brown Ghut Ruins

SITE 3 PEARLWARE SHARD, MILL ROUND SUGAR MILL

SITE 5 TURTLE CRAWL

SITE 4 WHITE BAY FORT

SITE 6 RESIDENCE FOUNDATION ABOVE WHTE BAY

SITE 9 METHODIST CHURCH AT GREAT HARBOUR

SITE 7 STANDING WALL AT WHITE BAY

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ISSUE ONE 1. Prior to any public display of surviving resources, and even before site The surviving historic sites clearance and survey tasks are undertaken, permission will need to be described in this chapter obtained from private landowners for those sites not located on public lands, are mostly in a state of following which a thorough surface clearance needs to take place at each advanced ruin and site, including a concurrent and supervised collection of remaining artefacts. covered with vegetation and root structures. 2. This could in fact be turned into a community event and an educational experience for the children of JVD. A school project could be initiated, and once instructed on exactly what to look for, the children could under adult supervision help clear sites like the Mill Round and collect remaining artefacts for future display. This will serve to: (a) instruct the children on their surviving historical heritage and (b) clear the sites for subsequent documentation, interpretation, and public presentation.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ISSUE TWO 1. The Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society might consider establishing a In the past, a lack of: JVD Historic Sites Committee to focus on stimulating community interest in the history of JVD and LJVD and developing a “Jost Van Dyke Heritage (1) sufficient community Protection Plan” for the conservation and enhancement of surviving historic interest, sites. (2) a comprehensive, preservation strategy for protecting surviving sites, 2. The JVD community, in collaboration with the JVDPS, should seek assistance and from and cooperation with like-minded organisations in the Territory, such as (3) funding for site mainten- the National Parks Trust and the BVI Department of Culture, and from nearby ance, islands, such as the St. John Historical Society on the neighbouring island of St. have all contributed to the John in the USVI. For example, the St. John Society’s website at deterioration and www.stjohnhistoricalsociety.org is one of the most informative and image-rich abandonment of historic sites of any historical society in the Caribbean region. sites on JVD and LJVD.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ISSUE THREE 1. The JVD Society might pursue the establishment of a relationship with the St. The historic past of JVD Eustatius Historical Foundation. As stated in this chapter, information may be and LJVD remains available from the Dutch island that better explains the Dutch occupation of relatively obscure, and Jost Van Dyke and the origins of the island’s name. additional research on the 2. The JVDPS could initiate a collections policy that focuses on historical islands’ history needs to be research as part of the further development of its Environmental Information undertaken in order for Centre. The Society might purchase some of the volumes mentioned in this islanders to understand chapter for inclusion in its collection, along with other documentation that more fully their ancestral could be secured from international archives. In this effort, the Society would roots. want to consult with the Archives Unit in the Deputy Governor’s Office and the Department of Culture in the Ministry of Education and Culture.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ISSUE FOUR 1. A building apparently abandoned in Great Harbour might provide one There is not an interpreta- possible venue for creating an historical and cultural interpretation centre for tion centre or museum or Jost Van Dyke; this poured concrete structure lies contiguous to the similar facility on Jost Van Government Dock and Customs House. If permission could be obtained to Dyke or Little JVD to rehabilitate the structure, it would provide a convenient location for a small display and explain the museum and cultural centre, inside of which artefacts from the various cultural and historical historical sites could be catalogued, stored and displayed. The site could artefacts of the islands’ also serve as a location from which a variety of heritage tours around the past. island could commence.

2. A building on the northeast shore of Little JVD, once the location of a bar, might also, after rehabilitation, serve as an interpretation centre for the Lettsom Settlement and the prehistoric sites of Cape Wright (JVD) and LJVD. This building is currently abandoned but would make an ideal museum within which the life of Lettsom could be related in one half, whilst the prehistoric occupation could be translated in the other. The artefacts from the Lettsom Settlement currently stored at HLSCC could also be on display. The Medical Society of London (based in Lettsom House, Chandos Street, London) was founded by Lettsom in 1773; it has in the past shown an interest in developing the site at LJVD. The Society might be prepared to provide funding and/or relevant documentation or other support in order to achieve this objective.

3. The development of interpretation facilities for JVD and Little JVD should be pursued in cooperative with BVI Government agencies such as the NPT (which has designated the Lettsom Settlement as a future historic site under the National Parks Act), the Department of Culture, the Tourist Board, and the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ISSUE FIVE 1. The following is an overview of four potential heritage tours that could be The JVD tourism product pursued for Jost Van Dyke. has focused largely on yachting, with little being a. Brown Ghut Tour done to develop or dis- Beginning at the Ridge Road opposite the large black water tank towards play the island’s historic the east of JVD, the route for this tour drops down into the bush, picking up sites as a tourism niche. the original plantation trail leading towards the ruins. Dry field stone retaining The success of heritage walls are visible along the trail, which also has a wealth of native plants, some tourism sites in St. Kitts of which were used for medicinal purposes by former inhabitants. The trail (Brimstone Hill Fortress crosses a ghut and then leads down in towards the ruins complex at a National Park), St. Croix distance from the road of approximately one-half mile. After an explanation (Whim Estate), and of the site by a tour guide, the tour could either retrace back to the ridge Antigua (Nelson’s road or, for the more adventurous, follow the ghut down to the coast where it Dockyard) demonstrates ends close to Foxy’s Taboo Restaurant. that there is an interest in Caribbean history by the An explanation of plant life, wildlife and historical features would make this region’s tourists. tour fascinating for tourists who are interested in hiking, wildlife and culture.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

b. Lettsom Settlement, LJVD

Leaving Great Harbour, guests would be transported by safari bus to the dock near Foxy’s Taboo Restaurant, where they would catch a ferry for the short trip to LJVD. Following an established trail to the ruins, guests could then be shown the Lettsom Settlement and given an explanation of the features remaining and of Lettsom’s life. The tour would then lead over the hill to the cotton plantation, including the terracing that is still clearly visible. Were the building at the site to be rehabilitated, guests could then see a display of Lettsom’s life and an explanation of the prehistoric sites on LJVD and Cape Wright opposite on JVD.

The Lettsom Settlement artefacts that are currently being stored at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College might be displayed. The interesting life and extensive achievements of John Coakley Lettsom add a further provenance to the site, which could be exploited to create a significant tourist destination at a site that is rarely visited by most yacht-charter guests.

c. Mill Round Sugar Works Tour

This tour would be ideal for older visitors or the less adventurous who are unable to walk far. The ruins are a short distance from the Ridge Road above Great Harbour and easily accessible to a variety of guests. Once the site has been cleared and documented, a circular masonry platform could be constructed, which would provide an overall panorama of the former sugar works and cistern. Weather-proof interpretation boards explaining and illustrating how sugar was produced on the island could surround this platform, providing guests with a visual reference to the ruins. There is a prodigious amount of cultural material remaining at the site, primarily represented by Wedgewood ceramics. Some of these shards could be incorporated into the boards, providing a history of eighteenth-century English pottery. This tour could then return to Great Harbour or serve as the first stop of a more extensive tour as described below.

d. JVD Historical Sites Tour

This tour, the longest of the four suggested tours, would take approximately half a day and would begin in Great Harbour.

It would follow the same route as that previously described in Tour C, but would continue along the ridge to the low foundation ruins above White Bay (Historic Site 6 in this chapter). From here the tour would then drop down into White Bay to the standing walls described earlier in this chapter as Historic Site 7.

HISTORICAL HERITAGE ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

Alighting from the tour vehicle at the nearest point to the White Bay Fort (Historic Site 4 in this chapter), guests could then be escorted to the gunner’s residence ruins and platform, where an explanation of the military history of the BVI would be provided. From here, guests could be taken to see the Turtle Crawl (Historic Site 5 in this chapter) at the east end of the bay before returning to the point of origin.

Each of the described tours could provide an interesting element previously unavailable within the BVI tourism product. The JVD tours could therefore be advertised throughout the BVI, attracting guests to JVD and LJVD who may not have visited the islands otherwise. If local businesses are able to work with tour organisers, discounts on ferry trips, meals and other refreshments could be offered to enhance the available package. If the Jost Van Dykes (BVI) Preservation Society is able to organise and manage such tours, gross revenues from the expeditions could be reinvested in Society programmes, including site maintenance and management.

5. JOST VAN DYKE’S CULTURAL HERITAGE

This chapter of the Profile was pre- DPU, approximately one-third pared by Susan Zaluski, Projects Man- Box 12 of the island’s resident popula- ager of the JVDPS, assisted by Rose- CULTURAL HERITAGE mary Delaney-Smith, OTEP Project tion is of non-BVI origin, while Coordinator for the Society; it is “Cultural heritage is not limited to an informal survey of the is- based in large measure on interviews material manifestations, such as land’s primary school found of JVD residents conducted by Ms. monuments and objects that have Zaluski and Ms. Delaney-Smith in that half of these young resi- been preserved over time. This 2008 and 2009. dents were quickly able to notion also encompasses living identify their ancestry as other expressions and the traditions that While historic sites offer a countless groups and communities locales—namely, other Carib- physical link to the past, Jost worldwide have inherited from bean Islands. Undoubtedly, Van Dyke’s rich history is not their ancestors and transmit to this has an impact on the is- limited to tangible artefacts or their descendants, in most cases land’s culture, making modern ruined structures. Cultural orally.” Jost Van Dyke a mini-melting traditions, often transmitted —2003 UNESCO Convention on pot of the larger Caribbean orally from one generation to Intangible Cultural Heritage culture. the next, emerge as a specific response to the particular Music of JVD and the BVI environmental, social, political and economic conditions of a energy, transportation and Within both the Caribbean specific area (Box 12). even entertainment. region and the BVI Territory, music has been an important In Jost Van Dyke, unique cultural COMPONENTS OF JVD’s mechanism for transmitting oral traditions impart important in- history and is a significant formation about the island’s CULTURAL HERITAGE cultural expression in itself. history and environment. Many of these traditions have begun Migrations The traditional music of the to disappear and are quickly British Virgin Islands, known as fading from modern memory as Although politically separate “Fungi,” is named for a corn- the fabric of Jost Van Dyke and from the nearby U.S. Virgin meal-based local food dish that British Virgin Islands culture Islands, Jost Van Dyke (and the melds different ingredients changes with the impact of glo- rest of the BVI, as well) maintains (including okra, sweet peppers balisation (particularly ex- strong ties to the U.S. Territory. and onions) into the harmony of pressed through the island’s Many Jost Van Dykians have a distinct dish. Similarly, Fungi tourism sector) and subsequent spent a good portion of their music serves up European, economic growth. lives crossing between the two African and local, hand-made separate territories for a variety instruments into a single helping Cultural traditions demonstrate of social, religious, familial and of music with a distinctive the vast diversity of human economic reasons. melody and rhythm. Instru- creativity, and, on Jost Van ments may include the banjo, Dyke, the community’s cultural With ancestries of European ukulele, guitar, washtub bass, legacy tells the story of a and African origins, the popula- triangle, washboard, saxophone resilient, creative island people, tion of Jost Van Dyke is still un- or calabash. who in the recent past used a dergoing “creolization” through limited number of available migrations and interactions with Some of Jost Van Dyke’s natural and man-made other Caribbean islands. Ac- residents can remember a time resources to meet their needs cording to the Government’s in the not-so-distant past when for food, shelter, commerce, the metal containers of cooking

oil were recycled into guitars, sources and the risk of turning and drum sets were fashioned their own backyard into a Box 13 out of old butter pans “garbage dump” for the REDUCE, RE-USE, RECYLE: (complete with cymbals sake of short-term economic A JVD CULTURAL TRADITION? created out of the lids of butter gains. While modern communities across pans); a particular type of the globe are lamenting the sardine tin (no longer imported Finally, Ruben Chinnery is development of a “throw-away” to the island) made excellent perhaps the most prolific culture, this extensive use of ukuleles. singer-songwriter on Jost Van disposable, non-renewable Dyke, writing songs filled with materials is particularly problematic for small island communities. In a typical Caribbean tradition valuable local history and Imported items were once treated (seen in various forms of social commentary. In his sparingly and resources were Calypso and folk music), BVI music, Chinnery takes note of continually reused and recycled, songs often provide social the changing JVD society, in reducing the overall waste stream. commentary, report on historic one song focusing on young Sadly, today’s excessive packaging often has a one-way ticket to Jost events, and cover island men who no longer hunt Van Dyke’s landfill. In explorations folklore/legends. Song topics goats, while in another of Jost Van Dyke’s cultural traditions, range from stories about relating the story of the theme of recycling products smuggling rum to pontificating Guyanese immigrants in Jost continually emerges. about politicians and “who is to Van Dyke, thereby placing In past decades, food containers blame” for a variety of social ills. JVD in a wider Caribbean received a second life as musical socio-economic context. instruments, while old tires might be Popular Fungi musicians in the turned into shoes or “hooples”, a Territory include the Tortola- Music lyrics may be Jost Van game for children. Flour and crocus bags were made into clothing or based Lashing Dogs, who still Dyke’s (and the Territory’s) bags for schoolchildren and used to play regularly at musical best record of folk history. haul charcoal. In many cases, festivals and special events and Music is also a fluid art form residents would also take bricks whose songs cover the and changes contiually with from old buildings (today’s heritage Territory’s folk history. Well- different cultural influences, sites!), recycling these for use in modern buildings. known Fungi musician and further relating information educator–turned-politician, about interactions with other “As we used to say, ‘Eat the flour, Elmore Stout spent many years societies. Modern music on wear the bag’,” remembers Mr. of his career in education on Jost Van Dyke may reflect Frank Chinnery, JVD resident (born Jost Van Dyke at the island’s the wave of migration from 1922). Primary School. Some of his other parts of the Caribbean, songs relate valuable as well as influences from the nearby United States, and information about the island’s residents may participate as contains elements of Reggae, history and folklore, and his casual observers, but some also Soca, and American Hip Hop. music should be considered a participate directly as perfor- cultural resource for the Jost mers in carnival parades, sing- Van Dyke community. Festivals, Holidays and ing, dancing or playing music. Celebrations Although his music is more As an outgrowth of Foxy’s geared toward entertaining an Wooden Boat Regata, Jost Van As a satellite community of both external tourist audience, local Dyke hosted its own Carnival in Tortola (politically) and St. entertainer Philiciano “Foxy” September each year from the Thomas (socially/historically), Callwood performs songs which mid-1980s until the mid-1990s residents of Jost Van Dyke often sometimes focus on environ- (Photo 35), complete with food share in the cultural traditions of mental themes, cautioning the stalls, floats, music, dance and nearby islands, including Eman- island and Territory against ex- “Mocko Jumbies” (stilt walkers). ploitation of their natural re- cipation festivals. Jost Van Dyke

hours of the night) by eating and drinking traditional holiday Box 14 food and drinks like black cake and guavaberry liqueur. A MEMORY FROM 1960 …

While on the island of Jost Van Dyke, I Many natural items have been went back and forth to St. Thomas for used for holiday decorations at work. At that time one was given 29 Christmas. Shiny fish scales were days in the U.S. and so I worked as a sometimes used to decorate maid. After the 29 days were up, I Christmas Trees, while many came back home, then I would go to St. Thomas again. At that time I residents also report cutting received $28 per month. A good down and painting the tall stalks monthly payment ranged from $10 Photo 35. of Century Plants for use as and above back then. A bag of flour Carnival parade through Great Christmas trees, a tradition once or sugar was sold at 2-3 cents back Harbour in the early 1990s. also popular in neighbouring St. then. A strap of fish was 5 cents. The ferryboats I traveled on to get to St. Thomas and St. John. Thomas from West End, Tortola were the Joan of Arch and the Neptune. At This event no longer takes Many BVI and Commonwealth that time they only charged $7 a trip.” place; however, island residents holidays are celebrated as A memory from Mrs. Roseline occasionally express an interest public holidays on the island. (Mrs. Rose Turnbull, 1928-2009) in reviving it. Traditional games and activities are often associated with An edition of the JVDPS’ JVD Commonwealth Day and may GREEN Newsletter (December involve activities at the Primary products, such as creating dolls 2008/January 2009) highlighted School. Each autumn, the out of old mango seeds or toy a Christmas-time tradition that is Methodist Church becomes the boats mentioned later in this familiar in the larger BVI culture focal point of the Harvest chapter. Many of the games and is shared by Jost Van Festival. The island also comes were multi-generational, and Dykians too. It is the custom of alive every December 31 with children would play alongside preparing a sweet alcoholic an island-wide New Year’s Eve adults. Cricket (common liqueur from the fruit of the party that draws masses of throughout Commonwealth guavaberry tree, common to visitors and locals to celebrate. Caribbean countries) is also a the island. JVD resident, Mrs. popular sport today. Sheila Schulterbrandt, reported that her family traditionally Games spread Christmas cheer with the Building Materials sharing of treats like guavaberry Many Jost Van Dykians fondly associate a number of games liqueur, ham, black cake, wine, From the Emancipation era with the island. Games like tarts, dumb bread and cane forward, the traditional form of “scotch-scotch” (similar to rum. architecture on Jost Van Dyke hopscotch) once involved has been described as “wattle throwing shards of pottery found At Christmas time, many and daub,” which serves as a near the ruins of old plantation- residents also participate in metaphor of island life—a era buildings. Other games traditional religious caroling, latticework of materials taken included “bat and ball”, spreading holiday cheer from from the land and bound hooples and marbles, which home to home on Christmas together by resources from the might be played with imported Eve day. Later in the evening, sea. In a wattle and daub marbles although seeds of the celebration turns toward building, the “wattle” is built plants were also used. Other more raucous “serenading,” from sticks and branches from a residents remember making toys when singers’ spirits are kept variety of local trees (including high (sometimes in the late out of natural or recycled

Palms) and were sewn together Agriculture and Land Tenure (Photo 36). While much of the available As modern building materials food in the Territory today is became available, this type of imported, islanders once had to building construction has mostly be more self-sufficient. Most disappeared from the island, families grew provisions such as with only a few examples banana, potato, tanya, surviving (Photo 37). Heavy cassava, avocado, sweet yams, timbers from the island were pigeon peas and more. Most also used for building supports, yards had several fruit trees; and with some remaining examples breadfruit, lime, mango, guava, on the island today. For soursop, sugar apple, coconut example, torchwood posts still and tamarind were common. serve as building supports at Foxy’s Bar and Restaurant in People in the community Great Harbour. worked collectively in small Photo 36. groups, taking turns to cultivate JVD men harvesting thatch palms The palm-weaving skills or terrace each other’s land. in the mid-1970s. employed in roof thatching also Women would support the work were used to create other by preparing food for the men. cultural artefacts. Palm fronds but not limited to mangroves for example have been used A closer inspection of the terrain and ironwood). The “daub” historically on Jost Van Dyke of Jost Van Dyke reveals a foot- consists of a mortar mixture and throughout the Territory to print of human history on the created by building a fire and weave mats, baskets and hats. land. Coconut palm-fringed heating crushed coral, which is The Tyre Palm is also sometimes beaches, tamarind trees and then mixed together with sand referred to as the “broom land terracing are but a few of and lime and clapped on the palm,” as it was used to make the many markers of how wattle walls. Roofs were made brooms throughout the Virgin humans have irrevocably of grass and Thatch Palms (Tyre Islands. changed the landscape of Jost Van Dyke. Walks through the bush will reveal deliberate rows of Date Fence (Bromeliad penguin), a plant that could be used to mark one’s property and which was virtually impenetrable to man and cattle.

The resources of neighbouring cays were also widely used, and some JVD residents report visiting nearby Great Tobago to hunt goats or capture birds. As a bird rookery, Great Tobago was an easy spot to catch young Magnificent Frigatebirds Photo 37. (called Man o’ War locally) or Example of wattle and daub house on juvenile Brown Pelicans, which JVD. In the top right hand corner of the house, the exposed wattle is visible. were too fat to fly and had

been fed a consistent diet of “coals” could be used to burn small fish by their nesting at high temperatures. mothers. Game birds were also a useful source of protein, and On Jost Van Dyke, people young boys would fashion would work collectively to build Killiwangs (see Photo 38), small charcoal pits, a practice that pyramid-shaped traps made of occasionally continues to this woven branches to catch day. First, a piece of land was doves, pigeons and other cleared and a pit dug. Cleared ground birds. green wood (typically tamarind,

Photo 38. acacia and amarette) was set Prior to the advent of tourism, Wayson Hatchett demonstrates a to cure for several days. Adult livestock agriculture was a killiwang made by his father, men generally cut the wood, Baba Hatchett. major income-generating but women and children from activity for the island. In the community would help addition to numerous goats carry wood to the coal pit. found on the island, there were we’d go home and get several hundred cattle on JVD, ready for school. Also, Wood would either be stacked which would be delivered to sometimes when much rain neatly into rows or into a market in nearby St. Thomas via was not falling and the pyramid-shaped pile. Bush locally-constructed island drums we had were not full, I clippings, banana leaves, palm sloops. Island residents also had to help my brothers and fronds, guinea grass and other remember a time when types of sisters fetch water from the branches would be stuffed grazing grasses would be same well that was at the between all empty spaces in entered into annual Farmer’s bottom of the hill (Ms. Estella the wood pile, which is then Week agricultural competitions. Chinnery, JVD resident born covered with dirt, with a small Many families also kept chicken 1928, as told to then HLSCC opening left at the bottom of and pigs. student and JVD resident, the pile. The pile would be set teacher Jessica Callwood). on fire with hot coals. Even- For many of Jost Van Dyke’s tually the small opening would older residents, chores be covered, and the men Charcoal Making surrounding livestock tenure would tend to the pile and were a definitive part of the JVD patch up new holes that Charcoal making was a experience. When questioned emerged as the pit smoldered practice started during the about their childhood chores, for up to an entire week. One plantation era, when strong fires many islanders will quickly island resident vividly rememb- were vital for sugar and rum describe a familiar island scene: ers this familiar island scene, production; it emerged as a “The ladies coming out in head primary industry for the BVI in Like every other child then, I ties to pick the coal, their faces the post-Emancipation years. had morning duties before black and dirty.” Between the 1920s and 1960s, going to school. My father 20,000 tons of charcoal were had cows of his own. And so Charcoal pits were also a social exported from the BVI to the when I was a little older, on gathering place. Women might USVI annually (Penn-Moll, 1998). some mornings I had to get use the heat of the coal pit to up and out of bed to help cook breads or roast breadfruit, Charcoal is a shiny black bring these cows from up on while men might play dominos residue made of pure carbon, the hill, down to the bottom around the pit. and is created by burning wood of the hill where there was a in an environment with limited well. There they drank water. In the early 1940s, Jost Van Dyke oxygen, so that the remaining We then took them back residents sold charcoal in into their pasture and then Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas)

for approximately eight to ten see a clothes line or fence full of cents per bucket. As of 2006, corned fish. The coal pot was the price per bucket was about used extensively for cooking $10.00. and baking.

Food was sometimes seasoned Local Drink and Food with salt, which might be locally harvested from within the In addition to the popular Territory (Salt Island) and even Christmas-time guavaberry li- from the pond located in White queur, there are many tradi- Bay on Jost Van Dyke. tional drinks associated with Jost Van Dyke. For example, “Miss Blyden” was a special drink Herbal Medicine and Plant made from the flower of the Use Sour Prickle Pear (Opuntia rubescens). Another popular In the absence of formally drink is Mauby (popular educated medical practitioners throughout the Caribbean re- and medicines, Jost Van gion, although the BVI version Dykians made regular use of involves a fermentation process herbal medicine and natural absent on other islands); it is healing. Traditionally, the island made by boiling the bark of the had known herbal healers who Mauby Tree. knew a great deal about natural healing. Even today, Other drinks include the hibiscus many older island residents are drink, lime juice, different bush familiar with local treatments. teas, soursop specials and a A collection of local knowledge juice made by combining the about “bush plants” could fill a Photo 39. tart fruit of the tamarind tree book. A common Great Harbour site. Fishing with sugar. While today’s youth is an important part of daily life on JVD. may drink UHT Milk that arrives in There are numerous examples cardboard containers, of herbal medicines used on the youngsters once drank freshly island to treat illnesses, includ- Other resources used in herbal separated cow’s milk. ing, but not limited to, the healing included shark and following (see interview with trunk oil (from the liver of A variety of local foods that are Ivan Chinnery, JVD resident, in Leatherback Turtles) as a specific to either the Caribbean JVD GREEN Newsletter, October treatment for asthma and colds. or the Virgin Islands are also 2008): associated with Jost Van Dyke Still other natural uses for plants and include, but are not limited - Maiden apple vine to treat abound, including the use of to, dumb breads, fruit tarts fevers or to purify blood, various cacti as hair shampoos or the use of the soft wooly (guava, coconut, pineapple), - Cattle tongue as a bush tea fibers from the Silk Cotton Tree Johnny cakes, salt fish dishes, to reduce colds and coughs, gooseberry stew, pea soup, to stuff pillows and mattresses. stewed goat, fungi, dumplings - Soursop tree leaves as a mild pate (pastry), tulumar and sedative to help a person Much of the community’s cassava bread. Fish, beef and sleep, and knowledge about medicinal herbs and plants has been pork were often corned so that - dysentery bush to help stop transmitted orally. As modern they would keep longer, and it diarrhea. was once a common sight to medicines are now more readily

accessible to island residents, was the only way to reach and stripping the stalks from efforts to record these traditions medical services. Century Plants to use the could help ensure that the buoyant material of the stalks to community retains this valuable Commercial rope was not help float the rafts. information. available for fishing, and men would twist strands of whist as Until recently, many islanders rope for their fish pots, which remember making “bateaux”, Maritime Resources were also constructed of local, small canoe-style boats that natural materials. Different were built using galvanized Information about Jost Van types of cacti, soldier crabs and roofing materials (Photo 41). Dyke’s unique relationship with even broken lobster (which Bateaux were patched with tar, the sea is contained in Chapter were less desirable than Hind, which was collected from Four of this Environmental Pro- Grouper, Oldwife and other around rocks. This same tar was file. As noted in the earlier types of reef fish) were all used also used in home repairs. chapter, the island’s traditional as bait for the pots. Fishermen Many local residents report that identity as a fishing and seafar- often weaved their own seine or they believed the tar consti- ing community is perhaps its turtle nets. Today these skills are tuted remnants of oil spills in the most notable cultural identifica- still used by older residents and area. tion (Photo 39). are also used on land to capture free-roaming goats. Items from the sea have been used extensively in everyday life While Jost Van Dyke was not a around the home. Sea sponges boat-building center, many were used in the schoolhouse as island residents worked with erasers or to wash dishes, sea available resources to repair fans were used as sieves for small craft. For play and sifting flour, sea whips were used recreation, many children raised to beat eggs and cake batter, on the island made various and conch were blown types of toy boats (from natural throughout the Territory to materials like coconuts), model announce the arrival of fresh boats (Photo 40) (which were Photo 41. catch. Bateaux building was popular on part of races that pre-date the JVD during the second half of the modern Wooden Boat Regatta twentieth century, seen here during Often from a young age, in Great Harbour), and rafts a Carnival race in the late 1980s. islanders helped provide food (which were taken out to reefs for their families—collecting for fishing). One Islander whelk or conch, line fishing remembers building small rafts around rocks, or carrying a torch at night to find lobsters in the shallow waters. In small, locally constructed wooden vessels, islanders often rowed or sailed to rich fishing grounds or nearby islands to sell their fish or other goods in markets or barter them for other goods. Islanders also used small boats to row to jobs on nearby islands. Similarly, if a community member was ill, transport via rowing or sailing Photo 40. Model boat races in Great Harbour during the mid-1970s.

VANISHING HISTORY Box 15

There is little written documenta- MORE COMMUNITY VOICES tion within the JVD community of customs and rituals, and ef- Firsthand accounts from Jost Van Dyke residents (such as the snippets below) formed the basis of this Environmental Profile chapter, which could, in turn, forts to record these traditions serve as the modest beginnings of a larger oral history project for Jost Van through transcribed oral his- Dyke. tories, voice recording and videography could help ensure “It was such a sight to see: all those whelks on the rocks! Now they’re all that these unique facets of Jost gone.…”

Van Dyke life do not vanish “I lived with her in a thatch house.… There were no hurricane shelters. without trace. And so if one was about to approach us, we had nowhere else to go. Yet there were a lot less hurricanes while I was young.” In terms of the environment, “Thank You for the Word so sweet, Thank You for the food we eat, Thank records of cultural traditions and You for the birds that sing, Thank You Lord for everything. Amen” firsthand accounts of the past through oral history can also be [This prayer was recited daily by the island’s oldest living residents during schooling and is still recited today at the Primary useful for conservation efforts. School. Religion has been at the centre of community life on Jost Such documentation helps to Van Dyke and is a vital part of the island’s cultural traditions and relate additional information the residents’ sense of community.] about shifting environmental baselines and anecdotal evidence about the depletion of natural resources.

CULTURAL HERITAGE ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

CULTURAL HERITAGE ISSUE ONE 1. An oral history project could be initiated by the Jost Van Dykes Preservation There is little available Society, possibly in collaboration with the BVI Department of Culture, the written documentation of National Archives, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community and other like-minded customs and rituals of the partners. Island residents could be encouraged to collect stories and to help Jost Van Dyke community. preserve old photographs and other cultural artefacts of the island. Until there is an available museum or interpretive centre on Jost Van Dyke to house a collection, island residents might consider lending artefacts for display at the Sugar Works Museum in Road Town.

2. The JVDPS, along with interested members of the community, could explore the use of multi-media presentations such as photo exhibits to help relate cultural information to a wider audience. The Society might mount historical photos on its web site similar to the exhibits on the web site of the St. John Historical Society (www.stjohnhistoricalsociety.org).

3. A project similar to establishment of an oral history archive would be an effort to transcribe song lyrics, interview musicians and write about the events that form the background for song lyrics. This initiative could involve primary, secondary or college students, as well as interested adults from the community.

CULTURAL HERITAGE ISSUE TWO 1. Tourists to JVD might find many aspects of Jost Van Dyke’s intangible cultural To date, JVD tourism, with heritage to be of interest. In addition to the historical sites highlighted in its emphasis on yachting, Chapter Five for possible public display, new cultural demonstration sites has not yet incorporated could be created. For example, a demonstration site for the Emancipation significant elements of JVD era in the 1800s could include a home built of traditional Wattle and Daub or culture into its tourism other elements that are culturally and historically of the period. Other product (see also Historical demonstration projects could focus on fishing or practices of harvesting salt Heritage Issue Five, from salt ponds. The Fish House in Great Harbour might be an appropriate Chapter Five). location for housing items or a centre for activities related to fishing and boats.

2. Tourists often express interest in local crafts. Musical instruments, weavings or other items might be a good income-generating activity for individuals or groups on the island. In 2008, the BVI Tourist Board launched an initiative to promote “recycled crafts”. Craft projects on JVD could be developed that also focus on past traditions and practices of recycling (such as the creation of musical instruments for Fungi music). Such activities would also help to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the island’s cultural traditions and practices.

CULTURAL HERITAGE ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

1. The development of a “cultural resource management” policy for the CULTURAL HERITAGE ISSUE THREE Territory would need to be initiated by the Department of Culture, which is The British Virgin Islands already working diligently with limited resources and is interested in the does not currently have a development of cultural resource management plans. Members of the Jost policy directed toward the Van Dyke community should be supportive of initiatives that seek to develop preservation and and implement a comprehensive, territory-wide policy. However, it is also management of cultural important that the policy incorporates island-level input and participation resources. and encourages sufficient flexibility to allow for differences among the separate BVI inhabited islands.

CULTURAL HERITAGE ISSUE FOUR 1. Creative solutions will need to be employed to secure funding for cultural As a UK Overseas Territory, heritage projects on Jost Van Dyke. Since natural linkages often exist stakeholders in JVD and between historical, cultural and environmental programmes, every effort the BVI (whether they are should be made in a small place like JVD (with a small NGO like the government or non-gov- Preservation Society) to strengthen those linkages where possible and to ernment) face the ongo- develop proposals, initiatives, and activities that tie resource preservation ing challenge of identify- and resource management issues—in history, in culture, in the environment— ing sufficient funding and into more integrated, inter-connected approaches, particularly when other resources to support approaching donors. cultural heritage programmes. As a depen- 2. On a programmatic level, environmental education activities by the JVD dency of the United Preservation Society or other groups should try to use older community Kingdom, the Territory— members as a resource for integrating environmental issues within a broader and institutions in the social/cultural/historical context. Territory—do not have access to as many donor sources, particularly in a field such as cultural heritage, a sector that is not generally well funded in the first place.

6. WASTE MANAGEMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL

Maintaining a pollution-free POLLUTION SOURCES are few known point sources of environment and the attributes marine pollution. The primary that enhance the quality of life sources are those associated for Jost Van Dykians and attract Land-based Sources of with storm conduits (culverts, visitors to the island—idyllic land- Marine Pollution drains) that discharge sediments scapes, beautiful white sandy and “grey water” directly into beaches, aqua-blue waters The marine environments bor- marine waters (see Photo 42). teaming with marine life—has dering Jost Van Dyke and its increasingly emerged as an en- neighbouring cays are vironmental challenge for JVD generally in good condition. islanders and their government. However, the three primary Natural resource pollution within bays along the south shore any insular system can have of Jost Van Dyke and the severe negative impacts on the East End Harbour are be- health and wellbeing of the ginning to exhibit variable people who live within or visit levels of stress due to factors the island and on the natural such as growth in marine- ecosystems on which the dependent tourism, inade- human inhabitants depend. quate disposal of waste, and increased sediment Pollution issues can be exagge- runoff from adjacent roads rated on small islands and are and hillsides. compounded by the depen- Photo 42. An example of point-source marine pollution. dence of an island like Jost Van The enclosed nature of the A culvert at this location discharges a signifi- Dyke on tourism. Dealing with three bays on the southern cant quantity of sediment and other pollutants issues of solid waste, domestic coast at Great Harbour, Little into the marine waters at East End Harbour, Jost Van Dyke, during a period of heavy rains. sewage and other pollutants on Harbour and White Bay results JVD, with its limited resources, in generally weak ocean has been intensified by the currents that contribute to the Non-point sources of pollution arrival of thousands of visiting retention of pollutants that are are many and often arise from a yachts each year and the discharged directly or indirectly variety of activities. Their wastes impact of these added waste into marine waters. The primary may be produced impercept- streams on an already stressed pollution issue at East End ibly and continuously. Some of waste disposal system. Harbour is sediment runoff. these activities are ongoing, while others are seasonal. This For many who live on Jost Van Sources of marine pollution are contributes to the difficulty of Dyke, issues of waste manage- classified as either (1) point- identifying and quantifying non- ment and pollution control have source or (2) non-point source. source pollutants. As they are become one of their highest transported to marine waters, priority environmental concerns. Point-source pollutants are these wastes may become For visitors who travel to JVD those whose point-of-origin and associated or combined with from more populated areas, location can be precisely de- other pollutants. their desire is to escape termined, and therefore efflu- pollution — not to experience ents can be accurately identi- On JVD the primary non-point the smell of a burning garbage fied, for example, the discharge sources of marine pollution are: dump or swim in noticeably of waste water from a waste polluted waters. treatment plant. On JVD, there − solid waste disposal sites and their leachates (i.e., the

the island and then solid waste in drains, ghuts, disposed of on the coastal areas, and on public island—has strained and unoccupied private the capacity of the land. local system to fully establish and enforce − The proliferation of insect environmentally pests and other vermin, healthy waste dis- including rats, mongooses, posal standards. and feral cats attracted by the careless disposal of The BVI Solid Waste waste. Department, under the portfolio of the − The pollution and degrada- Photo 43. Ministry of Health and tion of local ghuts, salt White Bay, JVD, is a popular destination for charter Social Development, ponds, and coastal man- boats and a focal point for other recreational activities. More than 20 boats were observed on this July is the public agency groves, which, in turn, has a 2008 afternoon (another 51 boats at Great Harbour), responsible for the negative impact on local even though July is off-season for tourism in the BVI. collection and dis- flora and fauna. Evidence of boat discharge is frequently reported by recreational users and White Bay residents. posal of community solid waste through- − The potential for the spread out the Territory, in- and transmission of diseases cluding JVD. to humans and animals. liquid that drains or “leaches” from a landfill), However, current waste − The negative response of management practices in JVD visitors to the display of − the sub-surface disposal of have resulted in a number of unsightly garbage and litter. sewage and other wastes, problems that were identified by residents to the Profile team Currently, JVD disposes of its − sediment runoff from roads or observed by IRF researchers solid waste at a disposal site and eroded hillsides, and during field trips to the island. (landfill) located at Beasli Hill on Additionally, the lack of an the southern shore of the island. − discharges from vessels such effective institutional mechan- The location was formerly a as charter yachts visiting the ism for regulating and control- small salt pond nestled between waters of Jost Van Dyke and ling unhealthy practices further the steep coastal cliff and storm its neighbouring cays (Photo impedes the enforcement of berm, mainly composed of 43). standards for the benefit of the marine rubble. public. Solid Waste Visual evidence indicates that The management of solid waste this facility is near capacity; its horizontal growth has been Jost Van Dyke’s emergence as has therefore emerged as maximised, and the “dump” is a key tourist destination in the another environmental issue for only growing vertically at British Virgin Islands has in- Jost Van Dyke, one with increas- present. The pile of garbage creased the volume of solid ing potential for undesirable and rubbish once hidden waste generated on the island. impacts on citizens, visitors and behind the storm berm is now The expanding number of the natural environment. becoming visible to those waste-producing visitors traveling by boat between Little coupled with a resident popula- Associated solid waste issues Harbour and Great Harbour. tion with greater demands for include: Smoke and haze from small fires consumer products—all of − at the facility have also drawn which need to be imported to The unsightly littering and indiscriminate dumping of the attention of many JVD

residents and even of persons − Of critical importance, the business). Although worn-out as distant as St. John (USVI). As new waste disposal site should tires and discarded lead/acid well, it is only a matter of time be sited, designed, and uti- batteries occur in small before significant numbers of lised so as to minimise water quantities, they are considered yachters and tourists take notice pollution, both by runoff and hazardous waste, and a suitable of this visual eyesore. leachates. means of disposal should be considered. The property on which the In addition to the official solid waste disposal site is currently waste disposal site at Beasli Hill, The collection of solid waste situated is leased by the BVI many other sites, particularly salt from the island’s residential Solid Waste Department from a ponds, are frequently used by community and its transport to private citizen of JVD and has residents for discarding waste. the Beasli Hill disposal site is been in use for over 20 years. The Clean Hole Pond in Garner carried out by the Public Works Upon the expiration of the Bay (Little Harbour) is one such Department through a contract current lease in 2010, a new site example. Here the surface of with a local trucking company. will be identified. the pond is littered with bottles At each local community there and cans and with numerous is at least one dumpster for A site selection process is heaps of trash along the residents to dispose of their trash already underway, and it is perimeter (see Photo 44). to await collection. One of the important that this process take principals in the trucking firm into account that collects solid waste environmental risks and from the island’s other undesirable dumpsters maintains that impacts as potential these sites need to be sites are assessed. Any more “established” with future landfill site for JVD fencing and plantings to should, as a minimum, discourage random take into consideration dumping of large items the following locational that should be factors so as to minimise transported to the landfill environmental impacts: by individual residents (pers. comm., Sendrick − The waste disposal site Chinnery, 2009). should be situated in an area away from Unfortunately, the number wetlands, mangroves, Photo 44. of dumpsters is insufficient salt ponds and Piles of trash such as this one abound along the pe- to meet current needs as coastal areas. rimeter of Clean Hole Pond. The site should be tar- these dumpsters are geted for a major clean-up as it offers great potential for wildlife and recreational users. frequently observed at − The site should be over-flow capacity, located where it will especially during the peak create minimal visual tourist season when pollution. Another example is the White yachters and other tourists Bay Pond where piles of trash contribute to the level of trash. − The future landfill should be are frequently reported by the designed and constructed local community. Discarded An added environmental issue is according to modern sanitary batteries and tires from ATVs the location of the dumpsters. landfill guidelines, particularly have also been found along the All are adjacent to sensitive as these have been tested edge of the pond (White Bay is ecosystems such as salt ponds and used on small tropical the location of the ATV rental and coastal mangroves. When islands. dumpsters are over capacity,

the trash tends to be does not maintain discarded near to or in the any central sewage salt pond and adjacent or waste-treatment in- mangrove ecosystem (see frastructure on JVD. Photo 45). High winds also All wastewater and contribute to dispersing sewage are disposed loose trash further afield of on-site at resi- where it becomes more dences and busi- difficult to retrieve. nesses by means of Improperly maintained septic tanks, sump sites also attract more holes or pit privies. pests and vermin, The septic tank is including rats, mongooses, probably the most and feral cats. common method of Photo 45. disposal, but no data Of the neighbouring Pro- Dumpster site adjacent to the White Bay Salt Pond. were identified on the file islands, only Sandy Cay approximate percen- has a solid waste collection derelict vehicles is not in tage of households and system, which was established harmony with the pristine island commercial establishments that by the island’s former owner 40 image the Territory seeks to use this method. years ago. In 1969, Laurance project for its tourism product Rockefeller first employed a (see Photo 46). Identifying a Septic systems often malfunc- “caretaker” for Sandy Cay, and means to collect abandoned tion during heavy rain events, that position has always been vehicles as well as a disposal site thereby flushing unknown quan- filled by a resident from Jost Van for scrap metal might be con- tities of effluent that eventually Dyke. One of the caretaker’s sidered before the situation reach coastal waters. The in- primary responsibilities has been becomes more problematic. crease in effluent and nutrients to remove by boat any trash left over time has contributed to by visitors along the walking trail eutrophication, which is an and on the beaches. Domestic Sewage and Liquid over-enrichment of coastal Waste waters that results in changes to More recently, and continuing natural habitats, most of which after the 2008 transfer of Sandy Because of the island’s small are undesirable. An increase in Cay to the National Parks population, the BVI Government algal blooms has been Trust, the Jost Van Dykes noted particularly in (BVI) Preservation Society Great Harbour and Little has assumed responsibility Harbour (Garner Bay), for supervising the where algae grow so fast caretaker’s work at Sandy that they smother other Cay under an agreement plant species that are authorised by the NPT. normally found in these habitats. During the Profile survey, few derelict (abandoned) Coastal and Marine vehicles were noted on Water Quality JVD; however, with a gradual increase in the Water quality in JVD is resident population and generally good, but in overall development, it is certain areas it is declin- likely that their numbers will Photo 46. Derelict and abandoned vehicle along ing (see also Chapter 4) increase. The visual impact of the East End Harbour Road.

due to an increase in land– White Bay is well known for its based sources of marine natural features and recrea- Box 16 pollution such as domestic tional amenities; yet, within an EFFECTS OF INCREASED SEDIMENTATION waste and sediment runoff (Box approximate 12-month period 16). In addition, the increase in from late 2007 to late 2008, at Increased sediment in the marine environments of Jost Van Dyke can adversely impact vessel activity in the three main least three cases of bacterial coral reefs and other marine habitats and bays on JVD’s south shore is a infection were reported and species in a variety of ways, including the following: growing source of concern attributed to swimming on the western side of the bay. Al- • Sediments smother corals and seagrass. The expanding number of though the source of contami- • Sediments screen out sunlight needed for yachts and mega-yachts in the nation has yet to be deter- benthic flora to grow. bays of Jost Van Dyke is in- mined, these incidences are • Sediments scour and damage corals. creasing existing levels of pollu- indicative of a troubling decline • Sediments inhibit the survival of juvenile tion as boat operators may in- in water quality. Local residents corals due to the loss of suitable substrates. tentionally or unintentionally also reported seeing raw se- • Sediments reduce the amount of prey discharge their vessel waste into wage in White Bay in the vicinity captured by sight-feeding fish. coastal waters. This routine dis- of anchored boats (pers. • Sediments clog the gills and filters of fish charge of oil and sewage from comm., Susan Zaluski, JVDPS, and shellfish. visiting charter boats will con- 2009), although the source of • Sediments reduce spawning and juvenile tinue since charter vessels en- this waste cannot be definitively fish survival. tering BVI waters are not re- identified. • Sediments contribute to the decline of quired to have holding tanks for recreational fishing. wastes. Chronic turbidity from Such incidences are slowly in- • Sediments reduce the availability of clear, clean waters for swimming, snorkeling, and excess boat traffic (as bottom creasing public awareness diving and this, in turn, can eventually sediments are stirred by pro- about the importance of envi- reduce the island’s attractiveness for peller wash) has also degraded ronmental health issues. Build- tourism. the overall health and producing public awareness and con- tivity of the marine ecosystems. cern is an important first step in counteracting further degradation of water quality.

POLLUTION CONTROL ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

1. Once the new waste disposal site becomes operational, it will be important POLLUTION CONTROL ISSUE ONE to secure the Beasli landfill by covering (capping) the entire surface with a The current landfill at layer of earth material where plants could begin to colonise. If the site Beasli Hill has reached its remains uncovered, it will be vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms. horizontal and vertical capacity. A new landfill 2. The new waste disposal site should be situated away from environmentally site has yet to be sensitive areas such as salt ponds, ghuts, and the coastline. Other key factors determined. The site to be considered when assessing the suitability of a given site are terrain, selection process and hydrogeology, and topography. implementation of a 3. The impending process of selecting and developing a new solid waste dis- management plan for posal site creates an excellent opportunity for the community of JVD and the solid waste disposal will be BVI Government to put in place a solid waste management plan specifically key factors in minimising designed to meet the future needs of the island’s population, both resident long-term environmental and visiting, while minimising environmental and visual impacts. The Solid and visual impacts. Waste Department could provide guidance and direction, especially in establishing guidelines for operating a modern sanitary landfill in a small- island, tropical environment.

4. The current practice of burning waste in the open should be reviewed when considering future solid waste disposal practices for the island. Burning trash at the landfill gives rise to smoke, odor and ash and is the subject of complaints by residents downwind of the current site (and of any future site if the practice continues). Careful consideration should be given to sites and practices that reduce these complaints and the associated visual and olfactory impacts on island residents.

5. Waste-reduction practices should be explored at every level from collection to disposal, and development of a solid waste management plan for the island provides an opportunity to do so. For example, residents could be encouraged to compost organic waste for individual or community gardens, and demonstration compositing sites might be provided. The island’s population is small enough so that the replication effect of a few model sites might be beneficial. The Gilbert Agricultural and Rural Development Centre in Antigua collaborated with that country’s Solid Waste Management Authority to promote community composting; see www.gardc.org.

6. A JVD-focused solid waste management plan could establish procedures for simple on-site triage at the landfill, for example, specifying various categories of waste disposal: − An area designated for scrap metal, derelict vehicles, and household appliances, with the possibility of future removal from the island. − A containment area for toxic waste, such as batteries, tires, paint thinners, waste oil, and the like. − An area for glass bottles and aluminum cans, for possible recycling (glass is currently collected and recycled in Tortola, and JVD businesses might pool resources to cover the cost of shipping glass for recycling to Tortola). − An area designated for combustible material.

POLLUTION CONTROL ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

1. No data are currently available on coastal water quality in the more stressed POLLUTION CONTROL ISSUE TWO bays of Jost Van Dyke—White Bay, Great Harbour, Little Harbour, and East JVD’s coastal inshore End Harbour. In cooperation with the Conservation and Fisheries waters need protection Department, the community of Jost Van Dyke might want to consider from land-based sources establishing a citizens-based water monitoring programme to inventory and of pollution. Sewage map pollution discharges and to provide coastal water quality baseline data effluents from household, reflecting both normal and worst-case situations, such as flooding conditions commercial, and tourism following storm events. sources, combined with sediment runoff, particu- The quantitative dimensions of pollution in JVD are not sufficiently docu- larly from unpaved roads mented to elevate public consciousness or to encourage anticipatory gov- and steep road cut-slopes, ernment action for keeping pollution levels within manageable bounds. It are likely the primary might therefore be appropriate to launch a community monitoring pro- causes of deteriorating gramme to begin to collect data for JVD’s coastal bays, an activity that coastal water quality. could be considered by the JVDPS as part of its OTEP project implementation.

2. A programme of community education on topics where individual action can make a difference would help increase the population’s understanding of pollution issues, for example: septic tank design and use, sludge removal and disposal, and water conservation. The Environmental Health Department within the Ministry of Health and Social Development has available a design for a septic tank that is better at filtering effluent than older models. This Department will be able to provide guidelines and technical expertise to assist the JVD community regarding the use of septic tanks and other environmental health issues.

3. Sediment control measures in the BVI are only irregularly employed and little regulated even for large-scale development projects (although this may be changing as the Physical Planning Act of 2004 is more fully implemented). The JVD community, however, might want to consider unofficial adoption of guidelines and best management practices for erosion and sediment control on the island as some communities in the USVI have done, e.g., the Fish Bay Owners Association at Fish Bay, St. John. A number of reference documents specific and applicable to the Virgin Island are readily available from the USVI and the wider Caribbean:

− Guidelines for Sediment Control Practices in the Insular Caribbean (Anderson, 1994).

− Virgin Islands Environmental Protection Handbook (Wright, 2002).

− Sediment and Erosion Control on Construction Sites: Field Guide (University of the Virgin Islands, 2002).

POLLUTION CONTROL ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ISSUES

POLLUTION CONTROL ISSUE THREE 1. A 1980 study of the pleasure boat industry in the British Virgin Islands (Jackson, The increase in charter 1980), with an emphasis on charter boat operations, the industry’s economic boat activity in the three contributions and water pollution impacts, is in need of a comprehensive most popular JVD bays on update. The dimensions of yachting tourism in the BVI economy, including its the island’s southern shore, impact on the environment, need to be better understood so that public combined with the poor policy to regulate the industry is based not on anecdotal evidence but flushing capacity of the verifiable data. The JVD community should encourage efforts to update the three bays, have contri- Jackson study and would be in a position to assist such an effort, should it buted to deteriorating occur, by documenting the charter fleet using the waters surrounding Jost water quality. Van Dyke.

2. Charter industry-funded efforts in collaboration with the BVI Government— such as the 2008 publication of the BVI Marine Awareness Guide (Gore, 2008)—are very useful in educating visiting boaters about practices that minimise pollution in the marine environment. The community of Jost Van Dyke should remain alert for similar opportunities to sponsor, promote or cooperate in educational activities directed at the transient yachting population, whether it be a signage campaign with “do and don’t” reminders, or activities to involve boaters in environmental education programmes during their visits, or posters and brochures stressing healthy environmental practices when sailing in the waters around Jost Van Dyke. The BVI Tourist Board has assigned a staff person to coordinate specifically with the sister islands, including Jost Van Dyke, and therefore might cooperate directly with the JVD community to promote environmentally friendly practices by boating tourists who visit the island.

3. As discussed above (Pollution Issue Two/Action Item 1), development of a marine water quality monitoring protocol for JVD should be considered as a community effort led by the JVD Preservation Society. White Bay, in particular, should be targeted as a priority site as it attracts the highest level of water-related activities. Marine monitoring should follow the generally accepted criteria for water quality measurements in the BVI, which are the informal standards available from the Conservation and Fisheries Department. These are not yet officially established in law but can be used as a guide. The C&FD provides standards and limits for four water classes: Class I—Excellent, Class II—Good, Class III—Adequate and Class IV—Poor.

8. DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

The island of Jost Van Dyke is of the BVI Government, of the following as among islanders’ the fourth largest of the British total acreage for Jost Van Dyke concerns at that time (Jackson, Virgin Islands. Limited by a small (including LJVD, SC, GC, and 1978): land mass and equally small Little and Great Tobago), only − the need for better main- population base, the island’s 12 percent is categorised as tenance of pedestrian development has been over- “built up area” and the remain- roads; shadowed by the hub of activ- ing 88 percent (2,224 acres) is ity centred in Tortola to its classified as “vacant” parcels. − the need for general southeast. Current settlement (In the BVI Territory as a whole, improvement of Great patterns have focused on the 20 percent of all lands are con- Harbour by simple tree village that developed at Great sidered “developed”, with un- planting and other methods Harbour, the island’s primary developed land identified of beautification; communication and transporta- mainly on steep slopes; see − the need to protect the tion link with the rest of the www.dpu.gov.vg). shorelines of Great Harbour Territory and beyond. by development of a Thus, there are still choices and protective strip of land Until recently, economic activity options for Jost Van Dykians to bordering the sea; consisted only of small-scale consider concerning the island’s agriculture, fishing and livestock future—about the ongoing − the desire to see that production. The pursuit of these consumption of its natural traditional ways of life are livelihoods—coupled with the resources, about how its protected by being limited availability of flat land, economy should continue to selective with respect to the island’s rugged topography grow and prosper, and about developments that are and the need for accessibility to what is critical to protect. With allowed to occur; transportation and marine this Environmental Profile in − the desire to have outlets—all influenced where hand, Jost Van Dykians now development projects the population lived and how have an improved environmen- assessed against the needs the people of Jost Van Dyke tal database to support that of the community, e.g., jobs utilised the land of their birth decision-making process, in- vs. protection of the island’s and the waters surrounding their cluding a wide range of envi- way of life; island home. ronmental policy recommendations and community action − the desire to see develop- With the advent of tourism, options. In this final chapter of ment projects planned so other factors began to influ- the Profile, IRF has highlighted as to minimise their impact ence resource use as a given some of the choices ahead as on the environment, with area’s suitability for tourism in- the community considers how reference especially to frastructure or a particular site’s to support environmental pro- water-dependent devel- usefulness in enhancing the tection and sustainable growth opments. tourist’s experience also af- for Jost Van Dyke. fected resource-use decisions, What has changed in the inter- whether the resources were Over three decades ago, in vening 30 years? terrestrial- or marine-based. September of 1978, Town and Country Planner, Ivor Jackson, For one thing, today’s partici- Even so, much of the island re- made a visit to Jost Van Dyke to pants in a similar forum might mains undeveloped and is only meet with residents about their point to increasing pressures on modestly settled. According to “planning concerns” for the natural resources, such as: the Development Planning Unit island. Jackson reported the

− increased numbers of Elsewhere, the old inventory This balancing act, this rea- tourists using beaches and approach to resource man- soned public search for fairness the coastal environment; agement is being replaced by a and enhanced awareness of more holistic perception of ecosystem needs as well as − conflicting uses of marine hundreds of interconnected human needs is what environ- resources, for example at “goods” and “services” made mental policy, environmental White Bay; available to the community as planning, environmental man- − continued overgrazing and a whole by what was tradition- agement, and environmental lack of livestock control; ally referred to as “Mother protection are all about (ibid., Nature” but now called “func- p. 9). − overfishing of inshore tioning ecosystems,” which are waters; interconnected, one to the It is also what Jost Van Dyke’s − the need to upgrade waste other. Clean and stable future is all about. disposal practices. beaches are not unrelated to robust and flourishing reefs or to Increasingly, Jost Van Dykians the abundance of fishery stocks, WHAT IS ALREADY are compelled to address the or to best management prac- PROTECTED central issue that has directed tices on erosion-prone hillsides. preparation of this Environmen- That which we have long taken As indicated in Chapter 1, the tal Profile, namely: for granted as useful or as desir- Profile islands include several able or as “free”, we are now areas already identified by the How can a very small seeing in a new, more informed BVI Government for protected place (with limited light—an ecological light (E.L. area status. These include: Towle in CCA/IRF, 1993). resources, a centralised 1. Diamond Cay National Park. government structure Jost Van Dykians, like islanders everywhere, are beginning to Established as a national located elsewhere, and understand that there are limits park in 1991, this one-half a small private sector) to what can be taken from the hectare (1.25 acre) pro- adequately deal with natural environment as “free tected site is located at the goods and services” and how terminus of a small peninsula the management and much we can put back in the off Long Bay on the eastern protection of its way of pollution and other shoreline of Jost Van Dyke. commonly-shared insults. natural resources?

The traditional inventory approach to managing singular resources—whether water or wildlife, forests or fish, rocks or reefs, soils or seagrasses—is simply not adequate anymore, now that there are more people (both residents and tourists) competing for the use of finite resources in this very small place called Jost Van Dyke.

Figure 9. Crown Land on Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay and Sandy Spit. Government-owned areas are highlighted in bright yellow and include the eastern half of LJVD and all of Green Cay and Sandy Spit (source: T&CPD).

2. Green Cay and Sandy Spit Fisheries Protected Area. Fifteen-and-one-half hectares (38.4 acres) of protected waters to the east of GC and SS were declared under the Fisheries Regulations in 2003.

3. Sandy Cay Habitat Manage- ment Area. The 5.7 hectare (14 acre) national park was authorised by the Minister of Natural Re- sources and Labour at a ceremony formally transfer- Figure 10. ring the island from private Boundaries for the proposed Little Jost Van Dyke Marine Protected Area ownership to the National (source: National Parks Trust). Parks Trust on May 1, 2008.

Additionally, government-held Jost Van Dyke and Little Jost bour. The latter is proposed Crown Lands are also included Van Dyke, including the under Management Cate- within the Profile study area, currently protected National gory 15(e) of the National specifically (see Figure 9): Park at Diamond Cay and a Parks Act (NPA), 2006. proposed Protected Land- − slightly more than half (35 scape/ Seascape at Cape hectares/86.5 acres) of Little Wright and East End Har- Jost Van Dyke, and

− all acreage on Green Cay and Sandy Spit.

Finally, the British Virgin Islands Protected Areas System Plan, 2007-2017 (Gardner, 2007), approved by Government in 2008, identifies additional areas within the boundaries of this study for proposed protected area status. These include the following:

1. Little Jost Van Dyke Proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA).

This proposed MPA (see Fig- ure 10) would protect a designated marine environment in the waters between Figure 11. Boundaries for the proposed Northern Cays Marine Protected Area (source: National Parks Trust).

2. Northern Cays Proposed Marine Protected Area (MPA).

This proposed MPA (see Fig- ure 11) would include the existing Fisheries Protected Area east of Green Cay and Sandy Spit, the existing Habi- tat Management Area at Sandy Cay, the designation of Green Cay as a Species Management Area (under Management Category 15(d) of the NPA), and the designation of Sandy Spit as Photo 47. a Natural Monument (under Green Cay in the foreground, with Sandy Spit offshore of Green Cay and Sandy Cay in the background, beyond Sandy Spit. Management Category 15(c) of the NPA). ment Category 15(h) site and reviews. It is likely that with Green Cay and Sandy Spit under the National Parks additional field surveys, more are Crown Lands, and the Act. species could be added to the Government could vest list. these properties in the 4. Thomas George Bay, Jost National Parks Trust with the Van Dyke, Proposed Marine However, the limited number of protected area classifica- Park. species identified in Table 12 tions proposed by the NPT in reflects just how much the forest This proposed MPA, com- the BVI Protected Areas and woodland cover on most of prising 7.6 hectares (18.7 System Plan, and as also Jost Van Dyke and its satellite acres) on the southeast noted in the paragraph islands has declined over the shore of Jost Van Dyke near above. last 50 years—and continues to Little Harbour (Garner Bay), is do so. A positive exception is identified within the System Photo 47 provides the Sandy Cay, which has no Plan as a future marine park geographic positioning of inhabitants, no livestock, no rats under category 15(b) of the Green Cay, Sandy Spit, and and no mongoose. Relative to National Parks Act. Sandy Cay, the first two pro- its size, Sandy Cay offers the posed as protected sites and most biodiversity of any of the the last already designated Profile islands. as a protected site within the CRITICAL SPECIES AND BVI’s National Parks and HABITATS Table 12 provides a list of plant Protected Areas System. species of special concern that Floral Species of Special the field team recorded during 3. Lettsom Plantation House, Concern its surveys; they are located on Little Jost Van Dyke, Figure 12. Many of them have a Proposed Historic Site. The list of plant species of GPS coordinate, and their posi- special concern compiled by tion can be displayed on a The Lettsom Plantation the Profile research team (Table map. Other plants that were House on Little Jost Van Dyke 12) is based on two periods of less uncommon or locally com- is designated in the BVI’s Pro- field investigation in July and mon were not documented tected Areas System Plan to October of 2008, comple- with GPS coordinates. be managed as a Historic mented by literature searches Site, classified as a Manage-

Table 12. Plant species of special concern, with locational information.

Habitat Key: Status Key: Be beach Ro rocks En endangered Th threatened Cl cliffs Wo woodlands LC locally common Un uncommon Fo forests R rare Oa open areas

Conservation Location on Photo in Species Common Names Habitat Status Figure 12 Profile

Psychilis Butterfly Orchid Fo/Wo/Oa/Be/Ro/Cl Un/Th Photo 48 macconnelliae Christmas Orchid or Epidendrum ciliare Fo/Wo/Oa/Ro/Cl Un/Th Photo 50 Eye-lash Orchid

Tillandsia fasciculata Giant Air Plant Fo/Ro/Cl R/Th

Tyre Palm or Thatch Palm Coccothrinax alta Fo/Wo R/En A Photos 9 & 14 also Broom Palm Extremely Erythrina eggersii Coral Tree or Cockspur Fo/Wo B Photo 11 rare/En

Flueggea acidoton Simple-leaf Bushweed Wo R/En C

Tree Cactus or Opuntia rubescens Be/Wo/Oa/Ro/Wo R/En D Photo 16 Prickly Pear Cactus Barrel Cactus or Melocactus intortus Ro/Oa/Cl LC/Th Photo 15 Turk’s Cap Cactus

Bastardiopsis eggersii Jost Van Dyke Indian Mallow Fo/Wo Unknown E Photo 10

Eugenia sessiliflora No common name available Fo Un-R

Agave missonium Century Plant or Agave Fo/Wo/Ro Un/En F

Guaiacum officinale Lignum Vitae Wo/Oa/Be R/En G Photos 12 & 13

Malpighia Stinging Bush Wo Un H Photo 49 woodburyana

Photo 50. Photo 48. Christmas Orchid (not in bloom) Butterfly Orchids (Epidendrum ciliare). (Psychilis macconnelliae).

Photo 49. A few strands of Stinging Bush (Malpighia woodburyana) were found along Brown Ghut.

Figure 12. Location of plants of special concern on Profile islands; for species identification, see Table 12 (map source: Google Earth, 2008).

Faunal Species of Special Habitats of Special Concern could most immediately be Concern affected by community action Many habitat types on JVD and through clean-up and Most of the faunal species of its neighbouring cays are critical restoration efforts. Both support special concern in the Profile for the survival of the floral and diverse species of flora as well islands are listed in Table 13 and faunal species of special con- as providing foraging and located on Figure 13. cern that have been identified roosting opportunities for wildlife above. Of particular impor- in general. Ghuts offer a Many factors have contributed tance are the following (see sheltered wildlife corridor, while to their unstable and uncertain also Figure 13): salt ponds provide sediment status, but the primary causes control attributes that prevent - Salt ponds are: sediment and pollution from - Ghuts reaching marine habitats. (1) Deterioration and loss of - Fringing mangroves habitat due to free-roaming Maintaining, protecting, and goats, land clearing, and, - Forest and woodland restoring these ecosystems is not to a lesser extent, human communities only critical for the survival of encroachment. species of special concern, but - Coral reefs also for the overall health of the (2) Decline in species popula- - Seagrass beds. natural environment, which tion due to invasive preda- ultimately will influence the tors such as the mongoose, Salt ponds and ghut systems are economic well being of the Jost rats, and feral cats. probably the habitats that Van Dyke community.

Table 13. Faunal species of special concern, with locational information.

Habitat Key: Status Key: Be beach Ro rocks En endangered Th threatened Cl cliffs Wo woodlands LC locally common Un uncommon Fo forests R rare Oa open areas

Location on Species Common Names Habitat Conservation Status Figure 13

Sterna dougallii Roseate Tern Be/Oa/Cl Un/En 1

Phaethon aethereus Red-billed Tropicbird Cl Un/En 2

Pelecanus Brown Pelican Cl Un/En 3 occidentalis

Geotrygon mystacea Bridle Quail Dove Fo/Wo Un/En 4

Epicrates monensis Virgin Island Tree Boa Fo/Wo Un/En 5 granti Alsophis portoricensis Puerto Rican Racer Oa/Wo Un/En 6 anegadae

Typhlops richardii Virgin Islands Blindsnake Oa/Wo Un/En

Ameiva exsul Virgin Islands Ground Lizard Wo/Fo Un

Mabuya sloanei Mabuya Oa/Wo Un/E

Eretmochelys Hawksbill Turtle Be En 7 imbricata

Chelonia mydas Green Turtle Be En 7

Dermochelys Leatherback Turtle Be En 7 coriaceas Eleutherodactylus Virgin Island Coqui Wo/Fo En swartzi Eleutherodactylus Mute Frog Wo/Fo En lentus Brachyphylla Antillean Cave Bat Fo/Wo/Oa Un cavernarum

Noctilio leporinus Fishing Bat Oa/Wo Un

Figure 13. Location of wildlife and habitats of special concern on Profile islands (map source: Google Earth, 2008).

For wildlife species identified by number above, see Table 13.

Habitats are identified above as follows: Sp-salt ponds; blue line-ghuts; Fm-fringing mangroves. Habitats for coral reef systems and seagrass beds are identified in Chapter 4, Figure 5. Forest and woodland habitats have not been mapped for this report.

FUTURE PROTECTION aesthetics, historical values, and of the areas included have PRIORITIES biodiversity to be sustained. multiple significance, and therefore judicious manage- As has been noted throughout Table 14 provides a summation ment and protection of these this Environmental Profile, there of information on those areas of areas may be important not are several areas on Jost Van historical, scenic, ecological only to Jost Van Dyke but to the Dyke and its satellite islands that and biodiversity value on the long-term sustainable develop- require careful resource Profile islands which the Profile ment of the British Virgin Islands management and protection in research team has identified as as well. order for ecosystems and priorities. The cross-referenced ecological services, natural format demonstrates that most

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Table 14. Areas of Jost Van Dyke and other Profile islands with multiple parameters of value or significance.

Parameter of Value or Significance

Sites/Habitats/Communities CONSERVATION BIRDS DIVERSITY BEACH MARINE

SCENIC / STATUS FISHERIES WETLAND AESTHETIC ECONOMIC HISTORICAL/ BIO ARCHAEOLOGICAL

SATELLITE ISLANDS

Sandy Cay Protected Area

Sandy Spit Stable

Green Cay Threatened

Little Jost Van Dyke Threatened

JOST VAN DYKE

Northern Slopes Threatened

Western Peninsula Threatened

White Bay Threatened

Mill Round above Great Harbour Threatened

North Side Bay Stable

East End Harbour to Cape Wright Threatened

HABITATS

Mangroves and Salt Ponds Endangered

Ghuts Threatened

Coral Reefs and Seagrass Threatened

VEGETATION COMMUNITIES

Semi-deciduous forest Threatened

Gallery Semi-deciduous Forest Threatened

Drought-deciduous Forest Threatened

Semi-deciduous Woodland Threatened

Coastal Hedge Threatened

Sclerophyllous Evergreen Shrubland Threatened

Mixed Dry Shrubland Threatened

Rock Pavement Threatened

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COMMUNITY government-created situations, transcend those of MANAGEMENT: statutory body. the individual. A JVD APPROACH TO (3) Open access, which is The goal of community RESOURCE PROTECTION characterised as a “free-for- management is sustainable all” regime and might be management; it represents an Jost Van Dyke is a small com- applied to JVD’s marine explicit community choice to munity of limited capacity and resources as there is open- select options that will allow the resources; thus, the challenge of access to their use. In other community to pass on to the addressing many of the envi- Caribbean islands, for future what has been inherited ronmental issues outlined in this example St. Lucia, open from the past. The community report may seem insurmounta- access is considered largely says, in effect, that certain ble, if not impossible. Neverthe- responsible for excessive natural resources will not be less, the apparent lack of sup- exploitation of some natural exhausted by accident or by porting institutional mechanisms resources, e.g., traditional default (CCA/IRF, 1991). for addressing Profile issues does encroachment on forested not mean that workable solu- lands. A first step in the process of tions are not available. developing a community- In Jost Van Dyke, livestock centred strategy would be for Solutions will not necessarily lie in herders have traditionally the JVD community to creating new institutions or enjoyed open access to systematically analyse and management structures but in natural resources (e.g., prioritise those resources that working within the existing vegetation) although the are most at risk and most community and applying resources may be found on valued, using this Environmental innovative management and privately owned land. Profile as a baseline of conservation strategies that information from which to start. have been tested elsewhere in (4) Communal property, which A number of factors would the insular Caribbean and South includes situations where re- need to be considered, Pacific. source use rights are held including but not limited to: by an identifiable group Bromley (1986) identified four which, through formal and − Economic development types of management regimes informal procedures, man- projections for natural resources, and these ages the resource. By strict − Population growth could be informally applied to definition, this regime does − Resource distribution the Profile islands: not exist in JVD, although some aspects of family- − Governance issues (1) Private property in which owned and family- − Public health issues resource use rights are managed property share its − Infrastructure needs exclusive and transferable. characteristics. Most of Jost Van Dyke is − Technology requirements. privately held. Communal or community From this assessment and management systems have a prioritisation, the community (2) Government-held property, valuable role to play in resource could move forward to develop or Crown Lands, in which management but are often a first-stage strategy to address resource use rights are overlooked. A community- resource protection issues as a state-held. Half of Little Jost based resource management community effort. In this, the Van Dyke and all of Green regime is really a people- community may need to seek Cay and Sandy Spit are centred regime, the presump- the cooperation of the central Crown Lands; Sandy Cay tion being that the interests of Government or of other external has been vested in a the community can, in certain organisations.

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For example, the issue of free- The JVD community might Government to establish roaming livestock is not only an establish a monitoring group to protective measures such as environmental issue but also an survey Green Cay prior to goat offshore moorings for the economic issue. While the removal in order to establish popular White Bay anchorage. number of individuals who earn baseline information about the Other jurisdictions in the Wider their primary income from island’s flora and fauna before Caribbean have exacted livestock raising is decreasing, the experiment begins. The significant fines from vessels there are still many on JVD who monitoring group would then causing damage to coral reefs. earn occasional “pick-up” revisit the Cay periodically to money from goat raising and assess changes in the environ- Regional organisations and insti- who would not want to ment, which will be gradual at tutions can be a source of sup- jeopardise this income. first but which will over the long- port and advocacy on behalf term allow vegetation to re- of JVD. Greater cooperation As long as goat farming is an cover and fauna to multiply. between the British and Ameri- economic necessity for some can Virgin Islands in areas of and a supplemental income Another area for a community transboundary environmental source for others, a JVD-devised approach might be at White concerns could be beneficial to strategy to address the Bay where coastal and marine Jost Van Dyke. Seabird conser- environmental damage caused resources are already signifi- vation, marine pollution, marine by free-grazing goats will need cantly stressed from heavy use, hazards, natural disaster mitiga- to account for this reality. with many resource uses in tion and biodiversity research Therefore, perhaps one conflict with one another. As are areas for BVI/USVI collabo- approach might be for the discussed in the Issue Section of ration that should be encour- community to focus on the role Chapter Three, a community aged by the JVD community of agriculture on JVD and how “management zone” could be and the JVD Preservation the community, working with established for an area like Society. appropriate agencies of White Bay in which resource Government, can promote a uses are assessed and prioritised Reaching out to organisations in renewal of small-scale and consensus is reached for addition to BVI Government agriculture on the island, in community action. agencies would provide a concert with steps to limit greater diversity of options, unfettered access by livestock For example, recent boat ideas and support for the Jost to the island’s vegetative cover. groundings in White Bay have Van Dyke community. Organi- attracted the attention of the sations of particular interest in- Another option to address the JVD community and the BVI clude: same issue might be for the media (see BVI Beacon, March - Organisation of Eastern community to join forces with 12, 2009). Vessels aground on Caribbean States (OECS), Government to experiment with reefs at White Bay reportedly Environmental and Sus- goat removal from Green Cay. churned sand for hours to work tainable Development Unit Since Green Cay is Crown Land, themselves free, oil was leaked and assuming that the support from distressed boats, and - Caribbean Natural of the JVD community—where corals were torn in what was Resources Institute most of the goat herders using described by one observer as (CANARI) Green Cay reside—could be “coral soup”. - UK Overseas Territories obtained, this experiment Conservation Forum provides an opportunity to The White Bay community could control a limited portion of the establish a monitoring regime - Royal Botanic Gardens Kew greater Jost Van Dyke goat for such events, within an - Society for the Conservation population while addressing the informally designated White Bay and Study of Caribbean environmental issue at a single “management zone,” and use Birds site that could be monitored. data so derived to work with

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- University of the West Indies A CLOSING STATEMENT It is hoped that the information contained within the Environ- - University of the Virgin mental Profile will help JVD Islands In a small island like Jost Van Dyke (or even in the larger Terri- residents and stakeholders and - Division of Fish and Wildlife, tory of the British Virgin Islands) the Government of the British Government of the U.S. the trade-offs between the Virgin Islands to make more Virgin Islands long-term benefits of conserva- informed decisions about the island’s future and to more fully - Guana Island (BVI) scientific tion and resource protection assess the impact of their research programme. and the immediate, shorter- term benefits of resource actions (or inactions) on the natural, historical and cultural Over time, community-based exploitation are not always easy resources of Jost Van Dyke. approaches to resource man- to determine. The role of agement would give residents conservation programmes and of JVD a more complete sense environmental protection of ownership about their envi- strategies in defining that ronment and about the positive delicate balance (i.e., between benefits of community-centred preserving resources for the resource management. The future while using resources to early steps of community re- meet today’s demands) have source management discussed been examined throughout the in this chapter of the Profile development of this Jost Van could eventually lead to Dyke Environment Profile. broader and more comprehensive efforts at community-based resource conservation, resource oversight, and resource management for Jost Van Dyke.

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“FUTURES” ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

ISSUE ONE 1. Given the social and economic—as well as environmental—dimensions of Effective implementation the grazing issue, it is unlikely that desired behavioral changes will occur if of programmes to protect only a political strategy, i.e., a legislative or public policy-driven initiative, is JVD’s natural heritage will employed. require a more wide- 2. A shared consensus or mutual understanding of the limits and possibilities of spread concern about resource exploitation is more likely achievable within a longer-term, public objectives that balance awareness campaign focused on conservation issues, the concept of community needs and “community resource management,” and broader public involvement in conservation initiatives. resource management responsibilities and activities.

For Jost Van Dykians, this 3. Current community awareness of the “loose livestock” issue is generally means the community focused on the need to protect individual garden plots. There is limited must address unpopular community awareness or concern about the threats posed to Jost Van and difficult issues, Dyke’s biodiversity by uncontrolled livestock grazing. Educational efforts, particularly the issue of both in the primary school and in the wider community, need to link the loss uncontrolled livestock of vegetation and biodiversity due to free-roaming livestock to issues that grazing, which remains the can be readily observed and understood by the community, for example: single factor that most − Linking the loss of plant cover to the drier and more arid conditions contributes to degrada- experienced in JVD, Little JVD, and Green Cay. tion of the natural environ- − ment of JVD, Little JVD, Linking the damage caused by devegetation and deforestation to easily and Green Cay. observable events, such as those that occur during heavy rains when flash floods wash soils down ghuts and along roads. (For additional discussion − Linking the loss of natural areas and wildlife species to the community’s of this issue, see Chapter 3, collective patrimony, which should not be passed on to the next including Invasive Species generation in a diminished state. Issue One in that chapter.) 4. The concepts of community (or user) management of natural resources, as discussed in this chapter (and in Biodiversity Issue Three in Chapter 3), should be explored by the citizens of Jost Van Dyke as one approach to dealing with this controversial issue; it is an approach that is better grounded in the concerns, needs, and aspirations of the people of Jost Van Dyke.

ISSUE TWO 1. This Environmental Profile provides a centralising mechanism for the Conservation planning for community to begin to more rigorously and systematically establish its own Jost Van Dyke requires priorities for resource use and environmental protection. The JVD that the community begin Preservation Society might take the lead in this, but it must be a community- to more systematically inclusive process. evaluate and assess what 2. Such a process need not lead to a highly structured environmental natural and historical protection “system” for JVD. Indeed, this would likely be the wrong features, resources, or sites approach for such a small community with well-established but often are most at risk and most conflicting resource use priorities that are already reflected within the valued and what features, population. resources, or sites are less endangered at the present time.

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“FUTURES” ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

3. In assessing and establishing priorities for protection, the recommendations outlined in Chapters 5 and 6 should not be overlooked; these chapters focus on the historical and cultural heritage of the island.

4. In assessing its environmental priorities, the JVD community will need to work with units of the BVI Government, especially the National Parks Trust and the Conservation and Fisheries Department, which have legislative responsibility for resource management and protected area oversight (see Chapter 2).

ISSUE THREE 1. The mongoose-control programme, formerly carried out in and around the Great Harbour and White Bay communities, should be revived, perhaps A number of floral and under the leadership of volunteers affiliated with the JVD Preservation faunal species of special Society. concern have been identified in this Environmental 2. The Society might also consider sponsorship of additional reptilian, amphibian Profile. Insufficient atten- and invertebrate surveys by inviting scientists from nearby islands, for tion by the JVD commu- example, from the Virgin Islands National Park in St. John or the Virgin Islands nity and the BVI Govern- Division of Fish and Wildlife in St. Thomas, and from the group of scientists ment to the healthy sur- working at Guana Island, BVI. Such visits should be coordinated with the BVI vival of these resources Department of Conservation and Fisheries. places them at even 3. Consideration might be given to initiating an annual Christmas Bird Count for greater risk. Jost Van Dyke, coordinating the JVD survey with similar efforts carried out in the BVI. The Cape Wright salt pond area would be a priority site as it includes a variety of habitats in close proximity.

4. Periodic surveys of sea turtle nesting could also be carried out by community volunteers, again under the guidance of the C&FD. There are at least three species of sea turtle known in the area (Hawksbill, Green and Leatherback). The Hawksbill and Green are permanent residents and occur regularly in the waters off JVD and the nearby cays. The Leatherback, a predominantly pelagic species, visits the area from March to July.

5. Working with the NPT and the J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens in Road Town, the JVD Preservation Society might initiate a programme to propagate seedlings and cuttings of floral species of special concern. As experience is gained, a nursery could eventually be established on JVD.

6. A number of educational initiatives could be carried out by the JVD Preservation Society to expand the programmes currently conducted by the Society at the local primary school, perhaps extending such efforts to the entire community. A number of themes concerning floral and faunal species of special concern come to mind for educational and community outreach programmes, including but certainly not limited to the following:

- The island’s reptilian fauna, especially snakes, and why island species are not a threat to the community. - The usefulness of bats, highlighting their importance for seed dispersal, pollination, and insect control.

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“FUTURES” ISSUES ACTION OPTIONS AND OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS

- The plant biodiversity of Jost Van Dyke and the surrounding cays, perhaps adopting one of the local endemics as a floral symbol for Jost Van Dyke or creating a community garden to highlight the diversity of the island’s flora.

ISSUE FOUR 1. Community clean-up programmes for the island’s salt ponds and ghut A number of habitats of systems need to be linked to educational efforts to increase awareness special concern have about the importance of these habitats and why they must remain in their been emphasised in this natural state. chapter and elsewhere in 2. Coastal mangrove ecosystems are restricted on Jost Van Dyke and are most the Profile. As with species extensive along the eastern coast of JVD, primarily south of Diamond Cay. of special concern, efforts This coastal system offers potential for nature tourism, with the added benefit to increase community of being adjacent to a national park at Diamond Cay and a short distance awareness about the from the Cape Wright Salt Pond. The BVI Tourist Board is pursuing a “Green importance of these Globe” certification for the tourism industry in the BVI and has noted that an natural areas need to be entire island, like Jost Van Dyke, could be Green Globe certified. expanded and enriched. 3. Other nature tourism study trips that focus on sites or ecosystems of special concern might be explored by JVD tourism entrepreneurs, perhaps in cooperation with the JVD Preservation Society and the BVI Tourist Board. The Cape Wright Pond, with Bubbly Pool adjacent to it, could be such a site because of its nature appeal, presence of wildlife, and trail access. Such field trips could also be a regular feature of JVDPS activities and could be designed for Society members, the general community, students and visitors alike.

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APPENDIX 1

JOST VAN DYKE ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILE TEAM

for ISLAND RESOURCES FOUNDATION

Judith A. Towle, Project Manager Jean-Pierre Bacle, Team Leader Editor, Environment Profile Report Coordinator, Research and Field Activities Kevel C. Lindsay, Biodiversity Research Michael D. Kent, Historical Research Clive Petrovic, Marine Research

CHAPTER 1. DESCRIPTIVE OVERVIEW Judith Towle (IRF), Jean-Pierre Bacle (IRF), Michael Kent, (HLSCC), Clive Petrovic (Econcerns Ltd) CHAPTER 2. THE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK Judith Towle CHAPTER 3. CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY Kevel Lindsay (IRF), Jean-Pierre Bacle, Judith Towle CHAPTER 4. JVD AND THE SEA Clive Petrovic, Judith Towle CHAPTER 5. HISTORICAL HERITAGE Michael Kent, Judith Towle CHAPTER 6. CULTURAL HERITAGE Susan Zaluski (JVDPS), Rosemary Delaney-Smith (JVDPS) CHAPTER 7. WASTE MANAGEMENT Jean-Pierre Bacle, Judith Towle CHAPTER 8. DIRECTIONS FOR THE FUTURE Judith Towle, Kevel Lindsay, Jean-Pierre Bacle

for JOST VAN DYKES (BVI) PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Philiciano “Foxy” Callwood, President Susan Zaluski, Projects Manager Rosemary Delaney-Smith, OTEP Project Coordinator Bruce Donath, Board Member

for PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ISLAND RESIDENTS: Carmen Blyden Gerald Chinnery David Blyden Ivan Chinnery Adrianna Callwood Selly Chinnery Jewel Callwood Sendrick Chinnery Cecil Chinnery Mark Morris

INSTITUTIONS: Jost Van Dyke Primary School — Marva Martin Conservation and Fisheries Department — Shannon Gore Town and Country Planning Department — Allison Wiggins National Parks Trust — Nancy Woodfield-Pascoe

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Appendix 2 Preliminary List of Plant Species for Jost Van Dyke, Little Jost Van Dyke, Green Cay, Sandy Cay and Sandy Spit

This list was principally compiled by Kevel C. Lindsay from identifications made during the terrestrial survey phase of the JVD Environmental Profile project and from the Sandy Cay Ecosystem Resource Characterisation (IRF, 2001b) with the earlier Sandy Cay plant data compiled by Eleanor Gibney, Dr. Gary Ray and Dr. Barry Devine.

GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM POLYPODIACEAE Nephrolepis sp. H I ? Wo/Oa Pityrogramma Silverback fern H N Wo/Oa calomelanos Thelypteris sp. H N Wo/Fo

ACANTHACEAE Blechum pyramidatum H N Oa Oplonia microphylla S N Fa/Wo Ruellia tuberosa Mini-root H N Oa/We Justicia carthaginensis S N Wo/Oa J. periplocifolia S N Wo/Oa J. sessilis Rock balsam H N Wo/Oa/We

PLANTAGINACEAE Bacopa monnieri Waterhyssop H N We/Oa

SCROPHULARIACEAE Bontia daphnoides Wild olive T N We/Be/Oa

AIZOACEAE Sesuvium portulacastrum Sea purslane H N Be Trianthema H N Be portulacastrum

Devil’s Horsewhip, Man- AMARANTHACEAE Achyranthes aspera H I We better-man

ANACARDIACEAE Anacadium occidentale Cashew T I ? Wo/Oa/Ga Christmas bush, Christmas Comocladia dodonaea T N Wo/Oa/Cl tree Mangifera indica Mango T I Wo/Oa/Ga

APOCYNACEAE Catharanthus roseus Periwinkle H I/C Ga Cryptostegia grandiflora Purple allamanda S I Wo/Oa Pentalion luteum Wild allamanda S N Wo Plumeria alba Wild frangipani T N Fo/Wo/Cl Rauvolfia viridis Bitterbush S N Wo/Oa

ANNONACEAE Annona glabra Pond apple T N Fo/Wet A. muricata Soursap T I ? Oa/Ga A. squamosa Sugar apple T N ? Oa/Ga

LAURACEAE cf. Licaria parvifolia PR Cinnamon T N Fo/Wo Ocotea coriacea T N Fo/Wo

ASCLEPIADACEAE Calotropis procera Giant milkweed S I/n Be Cynanchum cheesmanii V N Wo/Oa

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM Metastelma V N Wo/Oa grisbachianum

ASTERACEAE Adenostemma verbesina H N Oa/We Emilia fosbergii H N We Chromolaena sinuata S N Wo Conyza sp. H N Oa/Be Cyanthillium cinereum H N ? Erigeron cuneifolius H N Oa Launaea intybacea Wild lettuce H N Oa Lepidaploa cineria Inflammation bush H N Wo/Oa L. glabra S N Wo/Oa Piptocoma antillana Antilles velvet shrub S N Wo/Oa Cure-for-all, Cattle Pluchea carolinensis S N Oa/We tongue Fatten barrow, node Synedrella nodiflora H N Oa weed Tridax procumbens H N Oa/We Vernonia cinerea H I ? Oa Wedelia fruticosa S N Wo/Oa

BATACEAE Batis maritima Salt plant, saltwort S N Be

Cockspur, Iguana ULMACEAE Celtis iguanaea V N Fo/Wo hackberry

BIGNONIACEAE Crescentia cujete Calabash, Gourd tree T N Fo/Wo/Oa/Ga Macfadyena unguis-cati Cat's-claw V N Fo/Wo Tabebuia heterophylla White cedar T N Fo/Wo

BORAGINACEAE Argusia gnaphalodes Bay lavender, crab bush S N Be Bourreria succulenta Pigeonberry, chink T N Fo/Wo/Oa Cordia alliodora Cype T N Fo/Wo C. collococca Manjack T N Fo/Wo C. polycephala S N Fo/Wo/Oa C. rickseckeri Dog almond T N Fo/Wo/Be/Oa/Ga C. sulcata T N Fo/Wo Heliotropium Eyebright H N We angiospermum H. curassavicum Seaside heliotrope H N Be Tournefortia cf. S N Wo/Oa/Be microphylla

AVICENNIACEAE Avicennia germinans Black mangrove T N We/Be/Oa

BRASSICAEAE Cakile lanceolata Sea rocket H N Be

BURSERACEAE Bursera simaruba Turpentine T N Fo/Wo

CACTACEAE Hylocereus trigonus Night-blooming cereus V N Wo Melocactus intortus Turk's-cap S N Cl/Fo/Wo/Be Opuntia dillenii Prickly pear S N Fo/Wo/Be/Cl O. repens Suckers S N Fo/Wo/Be/Cl/Oa

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM O. rubescens Tree opuntia T N Wo/Oa/Be Pilosocereus royenii Pipe organ T N Fo/Wo/Be/Cl/Oa

CANELLACEAE Canella winterana Wild cinnamon T N Fo/Wo

Capparis CAPPARACEAE Black caper T N Fo/Wo cynophallophora C. flexuosa Limber caper V N Fo/Wo C. cf. hastata Caper T N Fo/Wo C. indica White caper T N Fo/Wo Cleome cf. rutidosperma Consumption wed H I Wo/oa C. viscosa Sticky cleome H N We Morisonia americana Rat apple T N Fo/Wo

CRASSULACEAE Bryophyllum pinnatum Leaf of life H I We/Oa Kalanchoe cf. Leaf of life H I We/Oa daigremontiana

CELASTRACEAE Cassine xylocarpa Marble Tree T N Fo/Wo/Be/Oa Crossopetalum rhacoma Maidenberry S N Fo/Wo/Be/Oa Maytenus laevigata Maytenus T N Fo/Wo Schaefferia frutescens Yellow box S N Fo/Wo/Oa

CLUSIACEAE Clusia rosea Pitch apple T N Wo/Oa Mammee support, Mammea americana T I ? Wo/Fo/Ga Mammee apple

RHIZOPHORACEAE Rhizophora mangle Red mangrove T N We/Be

COMBRETACEAE Bucida buceras Gree gree tree, Gri gri T N Fo/Wo/Oa Conocarpus erectus Buttonwood T N Be/Wet Laguncularia racemosa White mangrove T N Wet Terminalia catappa Tropical almond T I/C/n Be/Ga

CONVOLVULACEAE Cuscuta cf. americana Yellow dod V N Fo/Wo/Oa Evolvulus convolvuloides H N Wo/Oa E. mummularius V N Wo/Oa Beach morning glory, bay Ipomoea pes-caprae V N Fo/Wo vine I. violacea V N Oa/Be Jacquemontia V N Wo/Oa cumanensis J. cf. pentanthos Clashie-malashie V N Wo

ERYTHROXYLACEAE Erythroxylum brevipes Brisselet T N Fo/Wo

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE Guaiacum officinale Lignum vitae T N Fo/Wo/Oa/Ga

Acalypha cf. EUPHORBIACEAE H N Wo/Oa chamaedrifolia A. poiretii ? H I Fo/Wo Adelia ricinella T N Fo/Wo Argythamnia candicans S N Wo/Oa

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM A. fasciculata S N Wo/Oa A. stahlii S N Wo/Oa Chamaesyce hirta Milk weed H N We Beach euphorbe/beach C. mesembrianthemifolia H N Be spurge cf. C. prostrata H N Oa/Be cf. C. serpens H N Oa/Be Croton astroites Maran S N Fo/Wo/Oa C. betulinus Pistarckle bush S N Wo/Oa C. flavens var. ridgidus Yellow maran S N Wo/Oa C. lobatus Croton H N ? We Euphorbia amarus H N Wo/Oa E. heterophylla Red milkweed H N We E. petiolaris Hill manchineel S N Wo Fluggea acidoton Small leaf bushweed T N Wo Gymnanthes lucida Crabwood T N Fo/Wo Manchineel, Hippomane mancinella T N Wo/Oa/Be Manchioneel Jatropha gossypifolia Wild physicnut S N Fo/Wo cf. Margaritaria nobilis Gounglehout T N Fo/Wo Phyllanthus sp. Seed under leaf H I ? Wo/Oa Ricinus communis Castorbean S I/C/n Oa/We Savia sessiflora T N Fo/Wo Tragia volubilis Stinging nettle V N Fo/Wo/Oa

FABACEAE Caesalpinoideae Caesalpinia bonduc Gray nicker S N Wo/Oa/Be C. ciliata Brown nicker S N Wo/Oa/Be Delonix regia Flamboyant T I/C/n Oa/Ga Horse bean, Jerusalem Parkinsonia aculeata T I/C Wo thorn Senna occidentalis Stinking weed S N ? Oa/We Tamarindus indica Tamarind T I/C/n Fo/Oa

Faboideae Abrus precatorius Jumbie bead V N Wo/Oa Aeschynomene cf. H N Oa americana Canavalia rosea Bay bean V N Be Centrosema pubescens Butterfly pea, wist vine V N Wo/Oa C. virginianum Butterfly pea, wist vine V N Wo/Oa Crotalaria lotifolia Shak-shak S N Wo/Oa C. retusa Shak-shak H N Wo/Oa Desmodium sp. Begger's ticks H N We Erythrina eggersii Cockspur T N Fo/Wo Galactia cf. dubia V N Fo/Wo/Oa G. cf. egersii V N Wo G. cf. striata V N Fo/Wo/Oa Indigofera cf. suffruticosa Indigo S N Wo/Oa/We Pictetia aculeata Fustic S N Wo Piscidia carthagenensis Dogwood, fishpoison T N Fo/Wo Poitea florida Wattapama T N Fo/Wo Rhynchosia minima V N Wo R. reticulata V N Wo

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM Stylosanthes hamata Donkey weed H I ? We Tephrosia cinerea V N Wo Teramnus labialis Blue wiss V N Wo Mimosoideae Acacia farnesiana T I Fo/Wo/Oa A. macracantha Casha, stink casha T I Wo A. muricata Amarat T N Wo A. retusa Catch-and-keep V I Wo A. tortuosa Casha T I Desmanthus virgatus S N Wo Leucaena leucocephala Tan-tan T I/N Wo Mimosa ceratonia Ambret V N Fo/Wo Pithecellobium unguis-cati Bread-and-cheese S N Fo/Wo

FLACOURTACEAE Samyda dodecandra Samyda S N Fo/Wo

TURNERACEAE Turnera diffusa S N Wo/Oa

LORANTHACEAE Dendropemon caribaeus Bassinboom S N Fo/Wo

OLACACEAE Schoepfia schreberi T N Fo/Wo

LYTHRACEAE Ammania coccinea H N Oa

MALPIGHIACEAE cf. Bunchosia glandulosa T N Fo/Wo Byrsonima spicata Clam cherry T N Fo/Wo Heteropteris purpurea V N Wo Malpighia woodburyana Bulldog S N Wo Stigmaphyllon Yellow wiss V N Wo emarginatum Abutilon umbellatum H N We

Jost Van Dyke Indian MALVACEAE Bastardiopsis eggersii T N Fo/Wo Mallow Ceiba pentandra Silk cotton T N Fo/Wo/Oa/Ga Gossypium hirsutum Cotton S I Wo/Oa/Ga Malvastrum americanum H N Oa Pavonia spinifex Spiny pavonia S N Fo/Wo Sida cf. acuta Wire weed H N Oa S. ciliaris S N Oa S. cordifolia H N We/Oa Sidastrum multiflorum S N Wo/Oa Thespesia populnea Haiti-haiti T N Be

MELIACEAE Swietenia mahagoni Westindian mahogany T I/C/n Oa

MULLUGINACEAE Mollugo nudicaulis H N Oa/We

ULMACEAE Trema micrantha Trema T N Fo/Wo

MORACEAE Ficus citrifolia Short-leaf fig T N Fo/Wo F. cf. trigonata T N Fo/Wo

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM

URTICACEAE Pilea cf. sanctae-crucis H N Fo/Wo

cf. Calyptranthes sp. T N Fo/Wo

Henriettea cf. MELASTOMATACEAE S N Fo/Wo/Oa macfadyenii Tetrazygia cf. T N Fo/Wo elaeagnoides

MYRTACEAE Eugenia axillaris T N Fo/Wo E. biflora T N Fo/Wo E. confusa T N Fo/Wo E. cordata T N Fo/Wo E. floribunda T N Fo/Wo E. ligustrina T N Fo/Wo E. monticola Rodwood T N Fo/Wo E. pseudopsidium False guava S N Fo/Wo E. sessiliflora S N Fo/Wo Myrcianthes fragrans T N Fo/Wo Psidium guajava Guava T N ? Wo/Oa/Ga

NYCTAGINACEAE Boerhavia coccinea ? Batta batta, kallaloo bush H N ? We B. scandens ? H N ? We Guapira fragrans Black mampoo T N Fo/Wo Pisonia subcordata Water mampoo T N Fo/Wo

ONAGRACEAE Ludwigia octovalis Wild clove, many seed H N We/Oa

OXALIDACEAE Oxalis corniculata Wood sorrel H N We

Mexican poppy, yellow PAPAVERACEAE Argemone mexicana H N We thistle

PASSIFLORACEAE Passiflora suberosa Indigo berry V N Wo P. edulis Passion fruit V C Wo

CARICAEAE Carica papaya Papaya T I ? Fo/Wo/Oa/Ga

PHYTOLACCACEAE Rivina humilis Jumbie-pepper H N Wo

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE Aristolochia trilobata V N Fo/Wo

POLYGONACEAE Coccoloba krugii ? Hill grape T N Fo/Wo C. microstachya T N Fo/Wo C. uvifera Seagrape T N Wo/Be C. venosa Chiggery grape T N Fo/Wo

Purslane, jump up an’ kiss PORTULACACEAE Portulaca oleracea H N Oa me Talinum fruticosum H N Fo/Wo

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM Mauby, Maubi, Soap RHAMNACEAE Colubrina arborescens T N Fo/Wo/Oa bush Mauby, Maubi, Snake C. elliptica T N Fo/Wo/Oa root Gouania lupuloides Chew stick V N Wo Krugiodendon ferreum Ironwood, ebonyberry T N Fo/Wo Reynosia guama T N Fo/Wo

RUBIACEAE Chiococca sp. Snowberry V N Fo/Wo Erithalis fruticosa S N Wo Ernodea littoralis Cough bush H N Wo Exostema caribaeum Princewood T N Fo/Wo Guettarda odorata Blackberry T N Fo/Wo G. scabra Green heart T N Fo/Wo Gonzalagunia hirsuta S N Fo/Wo Morinda citrifolia Noni S I Wo/Oa/Ga Psychotria brownei S N Fo/Wo P. cf. microdon S N Fo/Wo Randia aculeata Inkberry S N Fo/Wo Rondeletia pilosa S N Fo/Wo Scolosanthus versicolor S N Wo Spermacoce sp. S N We

CUCURBITACEAE Cayaponia americana Wild pumpkin V N Wo/Oa

GOODENIACEAE Scaevola sericea S I Be/Oa S. plumieri Beach berry S N Wo/Be

RUTACEAE Amyris elemifera Amyris T N Fo/Wo Citrus aurantifolia Lime T I Wo/Oa Zanthoxylum martinicense White prickle T N Fo/Wo Zanthoxylum Yellow prickle T N Fo/Wo monophyllum

SAPINDACEAE Melicoccus bejugatus Genip T I Fo/Wo/Oa/Ga Serjania polyphylla Basket wiss V N Fo/Wo/Oa

SAPOTACEAE Sideroxylon foetidissimum Bully, bully mastic T N Fo/Wo West Indian box, S. obovatum T N Fo/Wo boxwood S. salicifolium Sweetwood T N Fo/Wo

OLEACEAE Chionanthus compacta Wild olive T N Fo/Wo

SCROPHULARIACEAE Capraria biflora Goatweed S N Wo

LAMIACEAE Hpytis sp. H N Wo/Oa Leonotis nepetifolia H I Wo/Oa Plectranthus amboinicus French thyme, Thyme H I Oa/Ga

SOLANACEAE Brunfelsia americana S N Fo/Wo/Oa Datura inoxia Nightshade S N Oa/We

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM Physalis angulata Ground cherry H N Oa/We Solanum cf. erianthum Potato tree S I Wo/Oa Turkey berry, wild S. racemosum S I Wo eggplant

STERCULIACEAE Helicteres jamaicensis Cats balls, cow bush S N Wo Guazuma ulmifolia Gunstock T N Fo Melochia nodiflora ?? H N Oa/Be/Cl M. pyramidata H N Oa M. tomentosa Broom weed H N Oa/Be/Cl Sterculia foetida Stinky sterculia T N Wo Waltheria indica Marsh-mallow H N Oa/We

SURIANACEAE Suriana maritima Bay cedar S N Be

THEOPHRASTACEAE Jacquinea arborea S N Wo/Be/Oa J. berterii Barbasco S N Wo/Be/Oa

MYRSINACEAE Ardisia obovata S N Fo/Wo

TILLIACEAE Corchorus cf. aestuans H N Oa C. hirsutus Jack switch S N Oa/Be/Cl/Ro

THYMELAEACEAE Daphnopsis americana S N Fo/Wo

VERBENACEAE Clerodendrum aculeatum Privet, haggar bush S N Wo/Oa/Be Citharexylum fruticosum Fiddlewood T N Wo Lantana camara Red sage S N L. involucrata Sage S N Wo/Oa Stachytarpetha Worry-wine H N We jamaicensis

VITACEAE Cissus trifoliata V N Fo/Wo C. verticillata Pudding vine V N Fo/Wo

AGAVACEAE Agave missonium Century plant, agave S N/C Fo/Wo Sansiviera cf. Iguana tail H I Fo/Wo/Ga hyacinthoides

AMARYLLIDACEAE Hymenocallis caribaea Spider lily H N/C Ga

ARECACEAE Coccothrinax alta Tyre palm T N Fo Cocos nucifera Coconut palm T I/C/n Be/Oa/Ga

ARACEAE Anthurium crenatum H N Fo/Wo

ASPHODELACEAE Aloe vera Medicine aloe, aloe H I/C/n Wo/Ga

BROMELIACEAE Aechmea lingulata Wild pineapple H N Fo/Wo/Oa Ananas comosus Pineapple H I Fo/Wo/Ga Bromelia pinguin Pinguin, wild pineapple H I? Fo/Wo/Oa Pitcairnia angustifolia Pinguin,wild pineapple H I/C/n Fo/Wo/Oa

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GROWTH FAMILY SUBFAMILY SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME ORIGIN HABITAT FORM Tillandsia fasciculata Wild pine H N Wo/Oa T. utriculata Wild pine H N Fo/Wo

COMMELINACEAE Callisia repens Callisia H I/C Ga Commelina cf. diffusa French weed H N Fo/Wo/Oa/We

SMILACACEAE Smilax coriacea Greenbriar V N Fo/Wo

CYPERACEAE Cyperus nanus H N Wo/Oa C. cf. planifolius H N Oa/Be C. sp. H N Be/Oa/Wet Fimbristylis cymosa H N Be/Oa/Wet F. ferruginea H N ? Be/Oa/Wet Scleria lithosperma H N Fo/Wo

HYDROCHARITACEAE Thalassia testudinum Turtle grass H N Wet

PIPERACEAE Peperomia humilis H N Fo/Wo P. myrtifolia H N Fo/Wo

Christmas orchid, eye-lash ORCHIDACEAE Epidendrum ciliare H N Fo/Wo/Ro/Cl orchid Psychilis macconnelliae Butterfly orchid H N Fo/Wo/Ro/Cl Tolumnia prionochila Yellow dancing lady H N Fo/Wo

Anthephora POACEAE Oldfield grass H I Wo/Oa hermaphrodita Bothriochloa cf. pertusa Hurricane grass H I ? Wo/Oa/We Sandbur, sand-spurs, Cenchrus echinatus H N Be bur-grass cf. Pennisetum setosum H I ? Oa/We Chloris barbata Purple top H I/n Oa/We Cynodon dactylon H I Wo/Oa Digitaria bicornis ? H N Wo/Oa/We D. insularis H N Wo/Oa/We Digitaria sp. H N Wo/Oa/We Echinochloa colona H I Wo/Oa/We Eleusine indica Goose grass H I/n We Eragrostis amabilis H Melinis repens Natal redtop H I We cf. Oplismenus hirtellus H N Wo/Oa Panicum maximum Guinea grass H I/C/n Wo/Oa/We Paspalidum germinatum H I Wo/Oa Paspalum laxum H N Wo/Oa Paspalum sp. H I ? Oa/We Spartina patens Cordgrass H N Be Sporobolus virginicus Salt grass H N Wet/Be Urochloa fasciculatun H N ? Wo/Oa/We Urochloa sp. H N Wo/Oa/We

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TABLE KEY

Habitat: Growth Form: Origin: Species: Be beach Aq aquatic C cultivated cf. identification not yet Cl cliffs H herb I introduced confirmed Fo forests S shrub N native ? presence uncertain Ga gardens T tree n naturalised Oa open areas V vine ? origins questionable Ro rocks We weed Wet wetlands Wo woodlands

OVERVIEW OF LIST OF PLANT SPECIES

The totals for the plant species identified in Appendix 2 are as follows: Number of species: 332 Number of families: 89 Number of herbs: 115 Number of trees: 103 Number of vines: 38 Number of shrubs: 76 Number of introduced 54 (approximately) species

These are approximate totals since the numbers will undoubtedly increase as more field observations take place.

Rare Caribbean endemic plant species on the Profile islands are listed below. These are species endemic to the West Indies and are highlighted not only because they are native to the region but also because they are relatively uncommon. (The reader is also referred to Table 12 which lists plant species of special conservation concern in the Profile islands.)

- Opuntia rubescens - Guaiacum officinale - Argythamnia stahlii - Fluggea acidoton - Crotalaria lotifolia - Erythrina eggersii - Poitea florida - Bastardiopsis eggersii - Henriettea cf. macfadyenii - Tetrazygia cf. elaeagnoides - Coccothrinax alta

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Appendix 3 — Table 1 Preliminary List of Marine Plants Identified during the Marine Survey Phase of the Jost Van Dyke Environmental Profile Project

Scientific Name Common Name

Phylum Chlorophyta — Green Algae Enteromorpha flexuosa Green Tube Alga Bryopsis plumosa Plume Alga Chaetomorpha crassa Green Moss Derbesia sp. Green Fuzz Cladophora sp. Green Ball Alga Caulerpa verticillata Green Turf Alga Caulerpa sertularioides Green Feather Alga Ventricaria ventricosa Sea Pearl Valonia utricularis Creeping Bubble Alga Valonia macrophysa Elongated Sea Pearls Dictyosphaeria ocellata Small Bubble Alga Dictyosphaeria cavernosa Green Bubble Weed Udotea flabellum Mermaid Fan Penicillus capitatus Mermaid’s Shaving Brush Halimeda copiosa Large Leaf Hanging Vine Halimeda incrassata Three Finger Leaf Alga Halimeda opuntia Watercress Alga Phylum Phaeophyta — Brown Algae Dictyota sp. Y Branched Alga Dictyopteris jolyana Brown Alga Padina sanctae-crucis Scroll Alga Lobophora variegate Encrusting Fan-Leaf Alga Sargassum natans Sargasso Weed Sargassum platycarpum Sargassum Alga Phylum Rhodophyta — Red Algae Ceramium sp. Red Cylindrical Alga Wrangelia argus Pink Bush Alga Chondria littoralis Tuft Alga Liagora mucosa Red Gooey Alga Bostrychia tenella Red Moss Alga Laurencia obtusa Clump Alga Laurencia papillosa Knobby Branch Alga Gracilaria sp. Sea Moss Amphiroa brasiliana Twig Alga Neogoniolithon spectabile Calcareous Red Alga Lithophyllum congestum Pink Branched Alga Titanoderma sp. Pink Encrusting Alga Porolithon pachydermum Reef Cement Phylum Cyanophyta — Blue-Green Algae Schizothrix calcicola Fuzzy Blue-Green Alga Phormidium corallyticum Blank Band Disease Phylum Angiospermae — Flowering Plants Syringodium filiforme Manatee Grass Halodule wrightii Shoal Grass Thalassia testudinum Turtle grass

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Appendix 3 — Table 2 Preliminary List of Marine Invertebrates Identified during the Marine Survey Phase of the Jost Van Dyke Environmental Profile Project

Scientific Name Common Name Phylum Porifera — Sponges Class Demospongiae Aplysina fistularis Yellow Tube Sponge Aplysina lacunosa Convoluted Barrel Sponge Agelas wiedenmyeri Brown Clustered Tube Sponge Agelas conifera Brown Tube Sponge Ircinia strobilina Black Ball Sponge Cinachyra sp. Orange Ball Sponge, Holopsamma helwigi Lumpy Overgrowing Sponge Plakortis angulospiculatus Viscous Sponge Anthosigmella varians Brown Variable Sponge Cliona langae Coral Encrusting Sponge Cliona delitrix Red Boring Sponge Phylum Cnidaria — Corals, Hydroids, Anemone Class Hydrozoa Hydroid Gymnangium sp. Hydroid Halocordyle disticha Christmas Tree Hydroid Dentitheca dendritica Feather Bush Hydroid Macrorhynchia allmani Stinging Hydroid Millepora alcicornis Branching Fire Coral Millepora complanata Blade Fire Coral Class Scyphozoa Aurelia aurita Moon Jelly Class Anthozoa Condylactis gigantea Giant Anemone Stichodactyla helianthus Sun Anemone Bartholomea annulata Corkscrew Anemone Aiptasia tagetes Pale Anomone Zoanthus pulchellus Mat Zoanthid Plexaura flexuosa Bent Sea Rods Pseudoplexaura sp. Porous Sea Rods Eunicea sp. Knobby Sea Rods Muricea elongata Orange Spiny Sea Rods Pseudopterogorgia sp. Sea Plumes Pterogorgia citrina Yellow Sea Whip Gorgonia ventalina Common Sea Fan Gorgonia flabellum Venus Sea Fan Acropora cervicornis Staghorn Coral Acropora palmata Elkhorn Coral Porites branneri Blue Crust Coral Porites porites Finger Coral Dendrogyra cylindrus Pillar Coral Cladocora arbuscula Tube Coral Madracis mirabilis Yellow Pencil Coral Stephanocoenia michilini Blushing Star Coral Montastraea annularis Boulder Star Coral Montastraea cavernosa Great Star Coral

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Scientific Name Common Name Dichocoenia stokesi Elliptical Star Coral Siderastrea siderea Massive Starlet Coral Diploria strigosa Symmetrical Brain Coral Diploria labyrinthiformis Grooved Brain Coral Meandrina meandrites Maze Coral Manicina areolata Rose Coral Agaricia agaricites Lettuce Coral Scolymia wellsi Solitary Disk Coral Mussa angulosa Spiny Flower Coral Eusmilia fastigiata Smooth Flower Coral Phylum Ctenophora — Comb Jellies Class Tentaculata Mnemiopsis maccadyi Sea Walnut Phylum Platyhelminthes Class Turbellaria Pseudoceros texarus Netted Flatworm Phylum Annelida — Segmented Worms Class Polychaeta Hermodice carunculata Bearded Fireworm Arenicola cristata Southern Lugworm Sabellastarte magnifica Magnificent Feather Duster Bispira brunnea Social Feather Duster Notaulax occidentalis Yellow Fanworm Anamobaea orstedii Split-Crown Feather Duster Spirobranchus giganteus Christmas Tree Worm Eupolymnia crassicornis Spaghetti Worm Phylum Arthropoda — Jointed Leg Animals Class Crustacea Stenopus hispidus Banded Coral Shrimp Periclimenes pedersoni Pederson Cleaner Shrimp Periclimenes yucatanicus Spotted Cleaner Shrimp Alpheaus armatus Red Snapping Shrimp Panulirus argus Caribbean Spiny Lobster Petrochirus Diogenes Giant Hermit Paguristes punticeps White Speckled Hermit Paguristes cadenati Red Reef Hermit Petrolisthes armatus Green Porcelain Crab Mithrax sculptus Green Clinging Crab Mithrax spinosissimus Channel Clinging Crab Percnon gibbesi Nimble Spray Crab Callinectes sp. Blue Crab Stenorhynchus seticornis Yellowline Arrow Crab Microphrys bicornuta Speck-Claw Decorator Crab Gonodactylus oerstedii Swollen-Claw Mantis Gonodactylus curacaoensis Dark Mantis Anilocra laticaudata Soldierfish Isopod Mysidium sp. Mysid Shrimp Subclass Cirripedia Thoracica Sessile Barnacles Lepas anatifera Smooth Goose-Neck Barnacle

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Scientific Name Common Name Phylum Ectoprocta — Bryozoans Class Gymnolaemata Schizoporella violacea Tubular-Horn Bryozoan Phylum Mollusca — Snails, Bivalves, Octopus, Squid Class Gastropoda Strombus gigas Queen Conch Strombus costatus Milk Conch Fasciolaria tulipa True Tulip Cymatium pileare Atlantic Hairy Triton Oliva reticularis Netted Olive Lithopoma tectum West Indian Starsnail Cerithium litteratum Stocky Cerith Cyphoma gibbosum Flamingo Tongue Bulla striata Striate Bubble Berthellina engeli Apricot Sidegill Slug Tridachia crispate Lettuce Sea Slug Discodoris evelinae Brown Do Class Bivalvia Spondylus americanus Atlantic Thorny-Oyster Lima scabra Rough Fileclam Lima lima Spiny Fileclam Pinctada radiate Atlantic Pearl-Oyster Pteria colymbus Atlantic Wing-Oyster Pinna carnea Amber Penshell Tellina radiate Sunrise Tellin Class Amphineura Acanthopleura granulate Fuzzy Chiton Class Cephalopoda Sepioteuthis, sepioidea Caribbean Reef Squid Octopus vulgaris Common Octopus Phylum Echinodermata — Sea Stars, Urchins, Sea Cucumbers Class Crinoidea Davidaster rubiginosa Golden Crinoid Class Asteroidea Ophidiaster guildingii Comet Star Oreaster reticulatus Cushion Sea Star Astropecten articulatus Beaded Sea Star Class Ophiuroidea Ophionereis reticulata Reticulated Brittle Star Ophiocoma echinata Blunt-Spined Brittle Star Ophioderma appressum Banded-Arm Brittle Star Astrophyton muricatum Giant Basket Star Class Echinoidea Diadema antillarum Long-Spined Urchin Echinometra lucunter Rock-Boring Urchin Lytechinus variegatus Variegated Urchin Eucidaris tribuloides Slate-Pencil Urchin Tripneustes ventricosus West Indian Sea Egg Meoma ventricosa Red Heart Urchin Clypeaster subdepressus Sand Dollar

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Scientific Name Common Name Class Holothuroidea Holothuria mexicans Donkey Dung Sea Cucumber Holothuria impatiens Slender Sea Cucumber Phylum Chordata Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Class Ascidiacea Polycarpa spongiabilis Giant Tunicate Clavelina picta Painted Tunicate Polyandrocarpa tumida Mottled Social Tunicate Trididemum solidum Overgrowing Mat Tunicate

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Appendix 3 — Table 3 Preliminary List of Fish Species Identified during the Marine Survey Phase of the Jost Van Dyke Environmental Profile Project

Key to Abundance: S Single M Many (11-100) F Few (2-10) A Abundance (100+)

Scientific Name Common Name Abundance Family Chaetodontidae Chaetodon striatus Banded Butterflyfish M Chaetodon capistratus Foureye Butterflyfish A Family Pomacanthidae Holocanthus ciliaris Queen Angelfish F Pomacanthus paru French Angelfish F Holocanthus tricolor Rock Beauty F Family Acanthuridae Acanthurus coeruleus Blue Tang A Acanthurus bahianus Ocean Surgeonfish A Acanthurus chirurgus Doctorfish F Family Carangidae Caranx rubber Bar Jack A Caranx latus Horse-Eye Jack M Trachinotus goodie Palometa F Family Scombridae Scomberomorus regalis Cero F Family Belonidae Playbelone argalus Keeltail Needlefish M Tylosurus crocodiles Houndfish M Family Sphyraenidae Sphyraena barracuda Great Barracuda F Family Sparidae Calamus calamus Saucereye Porgy F Calamus pennatula Pluma F Family Kyphosidae Kyphosus sp. Chub F Family Gerreidae Gerres cinereus Yellowfin Mojarra A Family Atherinidae Silversides A Family Haemulidae Haemulon flavolineatum French Grunt A Haemulon plumieri White Grunt A Haemulon carbonarium Caesar Grunt M Haemulon sciurus Bluestriped Grunt A Haemulon aurolineatum Tomtate A Haemulon macrostomum Spanish Grunt S Haemulon album Margate S Family Lutjanidae Lutjanus surinamensis Mutton Snapper F Lutjanus griseus Gray Snapper M Lutjanus jocu Dog Snapper S

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Scientific Name Common Name Abundance

Lutjanus mahogoni Mahogany Snapper A Lutjanus apodus Schoolmaster A Lutjanus synagris Lane Snapper M Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail Snapper A Family Pomacentridae Stegastes diencaeus Longfin Damselfish A Stegastes fuscus Dusky Damselfish A Stegastes planifrons Threespot Damselfish A Stegastes variabilis Cocoa Damselfish F Stegastes leucostictus Beaugregory A Stegastes partitus Bicolor Damselfish A Microspathodon chrysurus Yellowtail Damselfish A Abudefduf saxatilis Sergeant Major A Chromis cyanea Blue Chromis A Chromis multilineata Brown Chromis M Family Serranidae Hypoplectrus unicolor Butter Hamlet M Hypoplectrus puella Barred Hamlet A Hypoplectrus chlorurus Yellowtail Hamlet M Hypoplectrus nigricans Black Hamlet M Hypoplectrus sp. Tan Hamlet F Epinephelus cruentatus Graysby M Epinephelus guttatus Red Hind M Epinephelus fulvus Coney F Serranus tigrinus Harlequin Bass F Family Grammatidae Gramma loreto Fairy Basslet A Family Scaridae Scarus vetula Queen Parrotfish A Sparisoma viride Stoplight Parrotfish A Scarus taeniopterus Princess Parrotfish A Scarus croicensis Striped Parrotfish A Sparisoma aurofrenatum Redband Parrotfish A Sparisoma chrysopterum Redtail Parrotfish F Sparisoma rubripinne Yellowtail Parrotfish A Sparisoma atomarium Greenblotch Parrotfish M Cryptotomus roseus Bluelip Parrotfish F Family Labridae Clepticus parrae Creole Wrasse A Halichoeres radiatus Puddingwife A Halichoeres garnoti Yellowhead Wrasse A Thalassoma bifasciatum Bluehead A Halichoeres bivittatus Slippery Dick A Halichoeres maculipinna Clown Wrasse, F Halichoeres poeyi Blackear Wrasse M Family Holocentridae Holocentrus adscensionis Squirrelfish A Holocentrus rufus Longspine Squirrelfish F Holocentrus coruscum Reef Squirrelfish F Holocentrus vexillarius Dusky Squirrelfish M Myripristis jacobus Blackbar Soldierfish F

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Scientific Name Common Name Abundance Family Priacanthidae Priacanthus cruentatus Glasseye Snapper F Family Apogonidae Apogon aurolineatus Bridle Cardinalfish F Phaeoptyx xenus Sponge Cardinalfish M Astrapogon puncticulatus Blackfin Cardinalfish F Family Gobiidae Gobiosoma evelynae Sharknose Goby A Gobiosoma chancei Shortstripe Goby M Gnatholepis thompsoni Goldspot Goby M Coryphopterus dicrus Colon Goby F Coryphopterus glaucofraenum Bridled Goby A Coryphopterus sp. Glass Goby A Family Labrisomidae Labrisomus nuchipinnis Hairy Blenny F Malacoctenus boehlkei Diamond Blenny M Malacoctenus triangulates Saddled Blenny A Malacoctenus gilli Dusky Blenny M Malacoctenus macropus Rosy Blenny A Family Chaenopsidae Acanthemblemaria spinosa Spinyhead Blenny F Family Blenniidae Ophioblennius atlanticus Redlip Blenny M Family Opistognathidae Opistognathus aurifrons Yellowhead Jawfish M Family Bothidae Bothus lunatus Peacock Flounder F Family Scorpaenidae Scorpaena plumieri Spotted Scorpionfish, S Family Synodontidae Synodus intermedius Sand Diver A Family Cirrhitidae Amblycirrhitus pinos Redspotted Hawkfish F Family Aulostomidae Aulostomus maculates Trumpetfish M Family Malacanthidae Malacanthus plumieri Sand Tilefish F Family Tetraodontidae Sphoeroides spengleri Bandtail Puffer M Canthigaster rostrata Sharpnose Puffer A Diodon hystrix Porcupinefish F Family Ostraciidae Lactophrys quadricornis Scrawled Cowfish F Lactophrys triqueter Smooth Trunkfish M Family Balistidae Balistes vetula Queen Triggerfish F Cantherhines pullus Orangespotted Filefish M Cantherhines macrocerus Whitespotted Filefish F Monacanthus tuckeri Slender Filefish F Family Mullidae Pseudupeneus maculates Spotted Goatfish A Mulloidichthys martinicus Yellow Goatfish A

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Scientific Name Common Name Abundance

Family Sciaenidae Equetus punctatus Spotted Drum F Equetus acuminatus Highhat M Family Muraenidae Gymnothorax funebris Green Moray, S Gymnothorax moringa Spotted Moray F Gymnothorax vicinus Purplemouth Moray S Family Congridae Heteroconger halis Brown Garden Eel A Family Dasyatidae Dasyatis Americana Southern Stingray F Marine Reptiles: Eretmochelys imbriocota Hawksbill Turtle Several Chelonia mydas Green Turtle One

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