Grenada's underwater tourism product gets further protection
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| Published on Monday, October 13, 2008 |
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ST GEORGE’S, Grenada: Dive operators, day charters and other vessels that use the Flamingo Bay, Dragon Bay, Moliniere Bay, and Grand Mal Bay in Grenada now have improved mooring facilities. This comes after the placement of permanent anchors that allow vessels to safely tie onto.
This initiative now eliminates the need for vessels to drop anchor, which causes significant damage to the underwater marine life.
Four of the moorings were placed in each of Flamingo Bay and Moliniere Bay, while Dragon Bay and Grand Mall Bay each received two. By having the moorings placed in these areas, the reefs and marine environment in those bays will be protected.
The Grenada Board of Tourism collaborated with the Grenada Ports Authority to place the moorings in their positions. The GBT will also continue to work along with the Ministry of Fisheries in their thrust to extend the present scope of the Marine Protected Area (MPA), as well as its mandate to monitor and enforce all laws regarding the protection of the marine environment.
Some of Grenada’s marine wonders have recently garnered much attention from several international magazines, television programmes, and websites. The Underwater Sculpture Gallery, a creation of Jason Taylor, has recently had full page exposure in OK Magazine, FHM, Caribbean Lifestyle and Travel, Scuba Diver, Caribbean Compass. It was also featured on the BBC’s website in Spain and Brazil as well as on Britain’s Channel 4 prime-time show entitled Richard and Judy.
During the past two weeks, Taylor was in Grenada effecting repairs to this gallery, which was slightly damaged due to indiscriminate use by some operators.
The primary purposes of the underwater gallery are to combine natural and cultural experiences by placing sculptures that are inspired by Grenadian heritage, and to monitor how environmental processes affect them. The sculptures also serve to create a habitat for marine life, while also encouraging the creation of new reefs. | | | | Reads : 678 |
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