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Dumping of sewerage in sea must be stopped urgently - Hon Pickering

- says VI must learn from mistakes of neighbouring USVI
Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering addressing the issue of dumping of sewerage into the sea and overfishing at the National Fishermen’s Conference at Purcell Community Centre on March 1, 2013. Photo: VINO
Hon. Pickering met several fishermen on a one-on-one basis at the National Fishermen's Conference. Photo: VINO
Hon. Pickering met several fishermen on a one-on-one basis at the National Fishermen's Conference. Photo: VINO
PURCELL, Tortola, VI - "They are our neighbours (US Virgin Islands) and if it can happen to them it can happen to us." This was a statement made by Dr. the Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering with regards to the dumping of sewerage into the sea and overfishing at the National Fishermen’s Conference at Purcell Community Centre on March 1, 2013.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources said the Virgins Islands will face a major problem if the dumping of waste water into the sea is not stopped urgently and in the very near future. This, he said, has the likelihood of creating a major problem which can result in major destruction of the coral reefs, a situation which has hit neighbouring US Virgin Islands. 

Dr. Pickering said it is a problem that is currently hitting the attention of international eyes. "Strange as it might seem to you all, the US Virgin Islands is now one of the worse places in the entire Caribbean in respect to the coral reefs because the reefs have been over fished and because of the problem of waste water being dumped continually dumped into the sea."

He said it a situation that looms over the head of the VI because of the dumping of waste water into the sea, a situation he said the National Democratic Party (NDP) is not taking lightly. "We have to make sure that we take steps at this critical juncture to ensure that we stop that degradation. As a government we are working diligently to ensure that the continual pumping of water from our sewerage into the ocean is stopped," said Hon. Pickering.

According to the minister, because of the looming crisis in the fishing industry, himself and Minister for Communications and Works Honourable Mark H. Vanterpool has been speaking about addressing the issue of sewerage disposal in short order. "The work is going to resume because we cannot continue to do that," related Hon. Pickering.

Holding Tanks on Yachts a must

The problem of sewerage being dumped into the sea is also to be addressed at the level of the yachting industry to ensure that all vessels are equipped with holding tanks. "Somebody said that it looks like now there are more Yachts than people."

He added, "We have to ensure that every yacht or every boat that traverses here for pleasure or other purposes, that they have holding tanks. That has to be done by legislation, but we as a government have to do our part also. We can't expect the yachts to have holding tanks and they don't have anywhere to deposit when the tanks are full."

This he said would necessitate a situation where the sewerage system is in place, active and operating at optimal level. "And then we can legislate to say that the yachts have got to ensure they have holding tanks and you cannot deposit within certain places..." said Hon. Pickering.

He noted, however, that fishermen have their part to play by making the issues talking points amongst themselves. "It does not affect your livelihood only but it affects us as a nation as a whole because you can't get fish if there is no fish. So all of these things are interconnected so that is why I say that we've got to manage these issues before they manage us."

The issue of dumping of waste water from the sewerage into the ocean was also raised by Third District Representative Hon. Julian Fraser RA during a recent exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online.

13 Responses to “Dumping of sewerage in sea must be stopped urgently - Hon Pickering”

  • x (11/03/2013, 10:17) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    pure talk from the Cuban
  • ccc (11/03/2013, 10:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Didn't they say earlier they will also deal with this?
  • never again (11/03/2013, 10:27) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    They need to be dealing with Immigration and labour policies and helping the famers also. Blacks catching hell in the labour market

  • wise-up (11/03/2013, 12:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    yes Dr, take some of those millions from the air port project and fix the sewage problems; you guys should be shame; in 2013 we still having problem from 1980s
  • ausar (11/03/2013, 13:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    After so much conkanine years of island hopping by this and previous governments with your foreign friends who own these yachts, I'm a bit surprised Doctor that you now see it fit to talk about responsible waste disposal for yachters.

    This is why for years these yachters never obeyed..they never had to; Good friends in government who know and in some cases advocate for these laws but allowed kindred friendship to prevent true applicability as specified by law.

    Good luck there there now good Docter.

    I think in this case , aryo is a day late and a penny short!!!
  • ReX FeRal (11/03/2013, 16:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    ur 30 years late son
    • Silly (11/03/2013, 17:53) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      When VIP was in paving your driveways and building retaining walls, paying your light bill and cruise bill so you could keep them in power for over 40 years, you should have raised this matter with them then. The good doc has his administration has only served 4 years prior to this term and because they did not follow the path of the VIP and open the treasury to all and sundry, voted them out. Place the responsibility where it belongs

  • stinky (11/03/2013, 17:06) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The amount of sewage dumped by yachts is NOTHING compared to the amount flowing under the sidewalks of Road Town directly into the sea - let alone Sea Cow's Bay, Slaney, Prospect and everywhere else! This is just a politician mouthing off to make himself look big instead of dealing with real issues that take work.
  • rip (11/03/2013, 17:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Reef in Cane Garden is practically dead.
  • love for mama earth (11/03/2013, 21:16) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    I think these men have the best interest of the bvi at heart. The issues they are addressing, of left unattended will have detrimental consequences-for the environment and the economy. Regardless of party affiliation or nationality-we should all stand behind the protection of the environment.
  • ownership (11/03/2013, 22:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is an issue they need to deal with now becuz it will come a point where we the locals wouldn't be able to play in these waters around here not to mention those guest that are paying thousands of dollars to have that privilege. Areas like Trellis Bay, and West End needs to be looked at, some of these ppl lives on these boats and stays there year round and don't move I know they can't be drinking it so where are they putting it?


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