Opposition Leader: Fire advisors for cruise ship berthing that caused ‘millions’ in reef damage

Taking a jab at the Government’s decision to allow cruise ships to berth offshore when the coronavirus pandemic broke out last year, Opposition Leader Bishop Joseph Atherley has called for the administration to fire those who gave the advice to allow the anchorage that led to extensive coral reef damage.

As Parliament moved to reintroduce the measure through passage of the Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic Bill, Bishop Atherley said there is documented evidence to show that the cruise ships’ presence has led to millions of dollars in damage to coral reefs and far exceeds any short-term financial gains from permitting berths for a nominal fee.

He said it is no secret that the reef damage will have a severe impact on livelihoods here, moving him to declare that whoever told Government it was okay to allow the ships to anchor on the west coast for an extended period “should be gone”.

The Opposition Leader said he wanted to believe that Government acted on the advice of the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) or another authority. He called on the actual advice that was given to Government to be made public.

Bishop Atherley said: “Now, what would have been the advice given to the Government? Because I am sure that this Government would not have taken actions in any ill-advised manner, and therefore could only have been acting upon the wise counsel of professional persons, experts in the field, people technically acclaimed and skilled and people who are reputed to have the level of experience, expertise and knowledge needed to advise Government on these sensitive issues.

“When I say somebody should be gone, I am not gunning for the Minister [of Maritime Affairs Kirk Humphrey]. I am not pointing at the minister. I believe that governments act in these matters on the best advice available to them.

“And therefore, if they were advised in such a manner as to have felt that they had a green light to go ahead, and take this policy decision, it has turned out thus that this significant loss has been incurred by this country, both with respect to present as well as potential economic gains not only in the immediate future but in the far distant future.”

Bishop Atherley based his comments on evidence contained in a report published in April by the University of the West Indies Centre for Resource Management and Environmental Studies (CERMES) at Cave Hill.

He cited the report, entitled Assessing Anchoring Impacts of Cruise Ships in Barbados During the COVID-19 Pandemic of 2020, which suggested that while other countries turned them away, Government welcomed the cruise ships to the island to use the Bridgetown Port and allowed them to anchor along the South West, West Coast of the island in relatively shallow water, less than 50 metres, in depth, during the early COVID-19 period of 2020.

The report stated that the damage caused to the island’s coral reefs by the anchoring of the cruise ships is clearly extensive and could have been avoided, said the Opposition Leader. The document also states that there is no compelling reason why the ships should have been allowed to anchor, he added.

The report also highlighted that many of the ships anchored more than once, which led to 132 anchor drops in total with the majority taking place in March 2020, causing extensive damage to coral reefs.

Quoting from the document, Bishop Atherley said: “In the case of Barbados, degraded reefs will impact the local reef fishery which contributes to food security on the island and is important in supporting livelihoods, particularly during the flying fish offseason. Based on the official estimates of landings, the value of reef fishery in Barbados has been estimated at about 1.5 million Barbados dollars per year.”

He further went on to highlight the report’s contention that even with policies, legislation, institutional arrangements that acknowledge the value of coral reefs to Barbados and which provide for the management of these areas, significant coral reef damage has still been allowed to occur as a result of the unprecedented anchorage, indicating policy failure.

Bishop Atherley told the House of Assembly: “The question, therefore, is how do we account for this significant loss as is reflected in the findings of this incredible report from a credible source. That would be the question.

“I am sure Government would have been advised before it took a decision to allow for the activity that took place by this number of ships in this very wide sensitive area, an essential part of our marine environment, and a potential for economic gains for this country.”

(anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb)