Ray Yon in 'Tip Top'

Est. 2005 VOLUME XIV ISSUE 19, 12th APRIL 2019, PRICE £1 An independent newspaper in association with Saint FM and St Helena Online No Buyer for Fisheries Throws Cardno Seamount in wrong Fish Processing Into place on charts Confusion Does St Helena Have a Brexit Problem Trickier Than the Northern Irish Border? Ray Yon in ‘Tip Top’ Form Green Light for New Prison and Fun Park Cardno Seamount in wrong place on charts The RRS Discovery followed the official navigations charts to get to Cardno seamount only to find it was somewhere else. As they prepared to lower survey equipment into what was supposed to be 200 metres of water they found there was still 2,800 metres of water beneath the vessel. The crew on the RRS Discovery had to reschedule their planned work as they spent more than 24 hours re-mapping the seamount. The true position is further north and east and the seamount itself is smaller than shown on existing charts. Fishing in mid-water depths, some “amazing” fish, squid and octopus were caught. One is called the sabre tooth fish, another, the dragon fish has its own flashing light which it uses to attract prey or scare way predators. An octopus caught during the mid-water survey is so unusual it could not immediately be identified. The Latin name for this unusual squid is Stigmata Teuthis arcuturi The RRS Discovery is also surveying the Southern Cross seamount and will deploy acoustic receivers to record tagged tuna and whale sharks which come within range. Also on the survey list is cold water or deep sea coral reefs. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (drawn up after the Rio Earth Sum- mit in 1992) lists priority habitats and species most under threat and requiring protection. Deep Sea Coral Reef is a priority habitat. Laying submarine cables can break up and destroy deep sea coral reefs if their positions are not known. The RRS Discovery is due back in James Bay on Monday. A deep sea eel –the pelican eel is one name given to it – is now in the custody of scientists aboard RSS Discovery for further investigation. Descriptions of this eel include it is rarely seen by humans. Further mapping work is scheduled together with a survey of marine life living on the ocean floor. After that there will be more investigation of marine life at mid-water depths. Simon Morley told the Independent it really was a voyage of discovery on the RRS Discovery and everyone was “really enjoying it”. Aboard the RRS Discovery are a team of Saints including Elizabeth Clingham, Leeann Henry and Alison Small from the Marine Section and Jamie Ellick, who won the competition to join the vessel. An example of deep sea coral – photo Smithsonian Ocean Green light for new prison and Fun Park After an uncertain performance at the last meeting of the Land Exco members had asked for when they discussed the plans Planning and Development Control Board (LP&DCB) by the for the new prison. All Board members found the EIA to be recently departed and now Ex-Chief Planning Officer, yester- completely acceptable and passed the development applica- day’s re-run for two of the development applications which tion back to Executive Council for their further consideration. were left up in the air after the last meeting brought them It is very likely, when the development application for the new back on course. Both were approved by the LP&DCB. David prison comes to the end of its long and tortuous route to a Goodrick has taken over as Chief Planning Officer. final decision, it will be approved. The extra meeting held at the Castle Council Chamber on The other main development application carried over from the Thursday afternoon saw the plans for the proposed new prison last meeting was Paul and Craig Scipio’s proposal for a Fun at Bottom Woods endorsed once more after the LP&DCB Park within the forest at Merriman’s. The development appli- members finally had the opportunity to read and assess for cation includes a Go-Kart Track, Mini Golf Course, Viewing themselves the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which Deck, Picnic area, Wall Climbing Frame, Kids Soft Play Area The St Helena Independent Volume XIV, Issue 19, Friday 12th April 2019 2 Green light for new prison and Fun Park and Zip Line in between the trees at Merriman’s. Between Fun Park could be a place where the older and younger gen- the last LP&DCB meeting and yesterday’s meeting it be- erations can get together and have fun together. Another Board came clear the Board members had much more information member who has more years behind him than some of the about the proposed development than had been provided by others was keen to try out a go-kart himself. the recently departed ex-Chief Planning Officer. Lack of vital For people of any age who are not keen on driving a go kart, information had led Board members to assume “thousands climbing a wall or zipping along a wire strung between two of trees” would need to be cut down and extensive cut and fill trees there will be BBQ areas where the facilities are provided would be required to layout the go-kart circuit. for a cook up and a sit down. The go kart course will use the Before yesterday’s meeting Board members had made an existing land levels and not be a flat course. It will weave official visit to the site to get firsthand knowledge of how the between the trees and rise and fall with the existing land con- Fun Park would affect the forest. Before the site visit Paul tours. Cut and fill is not necessary. and Craig Scipio put wooden stakes in the ground to show The Fun Park development application was approved – and where the go-kart circuit would be. The location of car park- there is no need for this one to go to Exco for final approval. ing, picnic area, play area and the rest was checked out and Like the LP&DCB members, the Independent thrives on full after a detailed inspection of the development site the Board and accurate information. We hope to bring you full details members all agreed the development used the trees and and visual impressions of how the Fun Park is laid out very spaces between them rather than cut trees down to make shortly. the spaces they wanted. One Board member suggested the Does St Helena have a Brexit problem trickier than the Northern Irish border? The only land border between the UK and the rest of Europe between St Helena and the European Union? is the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. If the French Consul built a warehouse somewhere below the Without the right Brexit deal there is a real risk immigration Tomb (for instance)and accepted goods for storage for a cer- and customs controls will need to be set up on all roads which tain period of time would those goods then have special ac- cross this border. Long queues of lorries waiting for customs cess to all member states of the European Union as happens clearance and the thousands of people living either side of the now and will do until Britain leaves the EU? Is there a service border needing to take their passports every time they want the special British/French relationship in St Helena could offer to go to work, do some shopping or visit relatives and friends other British Overseas Territories who are very concerned at are nightmare visions of the many border controls which might loss of trade with Europe when Britain leaves the European be needed. Union? It is reported the Fisheries Corporation are exploring St Helena has many unique features; one of them is that within ways to develop fish exports to France. Does the existence this small island there are three locations which belong to of the French National Domains in St Helena help in any way? another country. Is there an opportunity here which could work for us instead of adding to the list of Brexit problems? Is it possible Michel Dancoisne-Martineau could turn out to The French Properties are owned by the French Republic and be St Helena’s best hope for expanding international trade are the responsibility of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. and shifting economic development up through the gears? Can The fact that they are not the responsibility of the French it be that Napoleon’s legacy for St Helena is economic inde- Ministry of the Interior may not be relevant. In the same way pendence at last? the rest of St Helena has the UK Government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office as the main point of contact. Within the relationship between Britain and France in St Helena there may be sovereignty or just ownership issues which have so far not been taken into account in the complicated and never- ending Brexit negotiations. Michelle Martineau proudly flies the French flag outside Longwood House together with the European Union flag. No doubt both flags will continue to flutter in the breeze whether or not Britain has a hard Brexit, soft Brexit or a Brexit this year, next year or never. Stepping into the grounds of Longwood House will be like stepping back into the European Union if Britain ever leaves it. It is highly unlikely tourists or residents will need to take a passport when visiting the Briars Pavilion, Napoleon’s Tomb or Longwood House.

Load more