Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino (Submitted photo)
Project Promise’s Mother’s Day raffle tickets are now available for purchase. Enter to win an exciting staycation here on St Croix’s at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino.
This third-place prize entitles the ticket holder to a complimentary all-inclusive two-night/three-day stay in a beachfront hotel room for up to two adults at Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino. The drawing date is May 12.
Transportation, incidentals,and taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Travel must be completed within 12 months from issue date. Travel is subject to availability and holiday/blackout dates apply. The certificate is non-transferable. It is valid for up to two people sharing a room.
Additional guests may be charged extra-person fees. Other restrictions may apply. This certificate must be presented to the resort’s front desk at check-in.
All proceeds will go towards programming for this year. Please consider helping us in our mission to improve the lives of at-risk youth on St. Croix by providing empowerment initiatives, cultural programs, and family services.
(Tickets may also be purchased at the Project Promise Building Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 2-6 p.m.)
Congratulations to Virgin Islands Track and Field Team member Rachel Conhoff, a graduate student at Indiana State University, who set a New Virgin Islands record in the 3000m Steeplechase.
Rachel Conhoff
Congratulations to Virgin Islands Track and Field Team member Rachel Conhoff, a graduate student at Indiana State University, who set a New Virgin Islands record in the 3000m Steeplechase. Rachel competed in the Gary Wieneke Memorial in Champaign, Ill., on April 13, where she finished 4th overall in the 300m Steeple in a V.I. record time of 11:11.15.
Conhoff’s next track meet will be the Gibson Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., on April 18 through 20.
Eduardo Garcia (Submitted photo)
Congratulations to Eduardo Garcia, a member of the V.I. National Team, for setting a new V.I. National record in the 10,000 meters. Out of the 26,000+ athletes who completed the Cooper River Bridge 10K Run in Charleston, S.C., Garcia achieved an impressive 15th-place finish with a time of 29:31.
Garcia is currently focused on qualifying for this year’s Olympic Games in the Marathon, which will take place in Paris, France. His upcoming race is the Half Marathon in Istanbul on April 28.
Malique Smith
Malique Smith (Submitted photo)
Virgin Islands Track and Field Team member Malique Smith participated in the Florida Relays held on March 29, 2024, in Gainesville, Fla. In the 400m Hurdles event, Smith achieved a commendable 3rd place finish in his heat, completing the race in a time of 51.40.
Following his performance at the Florida Relays, Smith took part in the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational, also held in Gainesville, Fla., on April 12. Competing in the 400m Hurdles once again, he secured an 8th place finish in his heat with a time of 53.27.
Looking ahead, his upcoming competition will be the Pure Athletics Invitational, scheduled to take place on April 20, in Clermont, Fla.
This is how I remember Magens Bay Beach as a boy climbing the coconut trees. These tall trees are no longer there. Most of them were destroyed by hurricanes in the last 30 years. This photo was taken in 1965 by the USDA Soil Conservation Service.
I read with interest the other day in the V.I. Source where Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources was explaining to a meeting of the League of Women Voters a possible plan to establish a transient mooring system within the Magens Bay Beach ecosystem. He talked about the charter boat industry and its importance to our islands’ economy.
Olasee Davis (Submitted photo)
As I continued to read with further interest, the League of Women Voters had a lot of questions and concerns, and rightfully so, regarding putting transient mooring in the Magens Bay Beach environment. I must say, I always find it interesting that the cultural, historical, and natural resources of these islands, whether terrestrial or the marine environment, come in conflict at times with how to develop land or coastal areas without losing the goose that lays the golden egg — which is tourism.
In other words, it is the natural beauty of these islands that attracts people to our shores of what we call paradise. The question is, paradise for whom? Beautiful places like Magens Bay attract hotel developers, the cruise line industry, etc., and politicians and others believe that development can work within fragile environments and still maintain the aesthetic beauty of the area.
Magens Bay is named after a Dane, J.M. Magens, and is located in the Great North Side of St. Thomas, opening to the northwest into the Atlantic Ocean between Tropaco and Picara Points. The bay itself is known as the most beautiful beach in the Virgin Islands and one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I remember as a boy walking up and down hills with my friends from Savan to Magens Bay Beach.
In those days, there were hardly any houses dotting the hillside of Magens Bay Beach. In fact, Peterborg peninsula had no houses where we boys used to fish and have fun as children. We used to hike down from the castle on top of the hill to the southwestern side of Magens Bay Beach, eating guavaberry fruits when in season. Believe me, those were the good old days as children growing up in the Virgin Islands.
A view of Peterborg and Magens Bay from near Drakes Seat. At one time there were no houses on the peninsula, which today is a gated community. (Source photo by Mat Probasco)
According to the National Register of Historic Places, “The Magens Bay District is the most important archaeological zone in the northern Virgin Islands. It is the only area in which both preceramic and later remains have been encountered — in quantity, at any rate — in fairly close juxtaposition …” In the 1930s and ‘40s, federal officials, especially from the Department of the Interior, encouraged local government to establish a Virgin Islands Territorial Park System.
At that time, local leadership and institutions of local government had not been engaged fully in the process of following through with the recommendations of federal officials to set aside historic landscapes as a park for the people of these islands. Believe me, plan after plan has fallen victim to legislative disinterest and the lack of vision about environmental conservation.
As recently as the 1960s, the Department of the Interior as well as the National Park Service mentioned to the local government that Magens Bay was “the most highly scenic park” and recommended a recreation plan for it, suggesting “public ownership of Peterborg peninsula.” Today, the Peterborg peninsula is a gated community. The community is basically locked out from what was once a fishing ground for Virgin Islanders.
In 1993, the late Gov. Alexander A. Farrelly signed into law Areas of Particular Concern (APC). These areas were designated for their significant cultural, historical, natural, and recreational value. Magens Bay is one of the 18 APCs in the Virgin Islands. The law also mentioned establishing a management plan to serve as an overall framework for these cultural, natural, and marine resources.
In 1991, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources found Magens Bay to have “high quality scenery and superior marine terrestrial values.” The document also noted that “sedimentation of the mangrove area could destroy natural drainage systems and greatly reduce the quality of the area for human use as a natural area.” In fact, there is a historic shipwreck in the south side of Magens Bay, a valuable underwater artifact belonging to the people of these islands.
A turtle surfacing in Magens Bay. (Photo courtesy Sara Smollett)
The possibility of establishing moorings within Magens Bay could further change the quality of water over a long period of time. Furthermore, the Green (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are known to frequent the waters of Magens Bay.
All three sea turtles are endangered species protected by federal and local laws. The Green and Hawksbill sea turtles probably hang around the waters of Magens Bay, grazing on the seagrass bed. This could be a potential problem for anchoring boats in the area. As of right now, in the waters of the Virgin Islands, endangered sea turtles are being killed by boats in far too high numbers.
And we all know that too often, let us not fool ourselves, that DPNR doesn’t have the personnel nor the enforcement power to patrol the waters of Magens Bay. This is not criticizing my colleagues of DPNR. I am stating a fact. I have seen the impact of our cultural and natural areas being destroyed when we don’t have the manpower to manage our resources. As a people, we all must become mangers of our natural and cultural resources.
“I know the government wants to make money, but we have to look out for the people. I think Magens Bay needs to be a designated sanctuary for the people of the Virgin Islands,” noted former Sen. Ruby Simmonds Esannason, one of the members of the Virgin Islands League of Women Voters. I rest my case!
— Olasee Davis is a bush professor who lectures and writes about the culture, history, ecology and environment of the Virgin Islands when he is not leading hiking tours of the wild places and spaces of St. Croix and beyond.
Two milligrams, the amount on the tip of this pencil, can be enough fentanyl to kill an average American. (Photo courtesy the DEA website)
A St. Thomas man, Tahir Donadelle, 43, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert Molloy to 43 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, U. S. Attorney Delia L. Smith announced Monday.
According to court documents, Donadelle traveled from Atlanta, Ga., to St. Thomas, Sept. 8, 2022, and was randomly selected by Customs and Border Protection for a baggage inspection upon arrival at the Cyril E. King Airport. During the inspection, officers discovered 14 vacuum-sealed packages inside Donadelle’s luggage, 11 of which contained marijuana. The remaining three packages contained 964 light blue fentanyl pills bearing “M” on one side and “30” on the other side.
“Across the United States, opioids, primarily fentanyl, killed over 80,000 people in 2021 alone,” stated Smith. “Here in the Virgin Islands, we have thus far been spared the worst of the opioid epidemic, but this seizure of fentanyl by CBP officers shows that we are not immune.”
“Fentanyl is one of the deadliest drug threats that our nation has ever encountered. Our exceptional frontline officers work tirelessly to ensure this poison doesn’t make it through our borders and into our communities,” said Roberto Vaquero, director of field operations for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
“Fortunately, the vigilance and dedication of our law enforcement partners led to the interception of these deadly drugs, and we were able to convict those responsible. We will continue to do everything in our power to keep the Virgin Islands safe from this lethal scourge,” Smith said.
According to the release, the Virgin Islands had its first fentanyl conviction in 2023 when Elijah Hakim was sentenced to 85 months in prison after a federal jury found him guilty of two fentanyl related charges. Also in 2023, the V.I. Police Department reported three deaths related to fentanyl. The deadly narcotic has caused an epidemic in the United States, but documented cases in the Virgin Islands remain low.
Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Eugene Thomas reiterated that the “Virgin Islands community benefits when we arrest and prosecute those that attempt to smuggle these dangerous drugs into our territory.”
Partially bleached coral contrasts the brilliant color that algae normally lends to corals unless unusually warm waters separate them from their hosts, leaving behind stark white marine life susceptible to disease and predators. (Source photo)
Prolonged, exceptionally warm temperatures have caused the fourth ever global coral bleaching event — a likely precursor to yet more massive loss of the world’s coral reefs.
The announcement came as a joint statement Monday from The International Coral Reef Initiative and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Given reports over the last few months of bleaching events in various regions — including in Virgin Islands waters — the report was not totally surprising, but nevertheless its seriousness made headlines across the country.
Even more concerning than the statement about the current bleaching status, is the prediction that there is more to come this summer, as sea water temperatures continue to rise.
Bleaching occurs when corals lose the algae that lives within them, giving them color and nutrients. It is generally triggered by overly warm waters. If the water temperature returns quickly to normal, the corals can recover, but if the event is prolonged, the corals are weakened and may eventually die.
A massive bleaching event in the Caribbean in 2005 resulted in the loss of more than half of what was then the coral population in V.I. waters.
Periodic bleaching events in limited areas are indicative of natural cycles, but worldwide bleaching is attributed to global warming.
The last 12 months have been the warmest on record, and sea temperatures have mirrored the rise in air temperatures.
In the past year, more than half of the world’s reef areas have seen coral bleaching, according to the joint report. That includes reefs near 53 countries and territories throughout the waters that are home to reefs — the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian Oceans.
The first global bleaching event recognized by scientists was in 1998. The second was in 2010, and the third occurred from 2014-2017. A NOAA official was quoted in a CNN report saying it’s likely this event will surpass all of them in severity, as the area experiencing bleaching-level temperatures continues to expand at a rate of about one percent per week.
In the Virgin Islands, researchers are still assessing the damage from the 2023 summer bleaching event. University of the Virgin Islands Professor Tyler Smith, who is also the territory’s director of coral reef monitoring, said they have completed field work in St. Croix waters and are currently surveying St. Thomas-St. John reefs.
Some species seem to have been hit especially hard, he said. In some areas, so-called lettuce corals have been reduced in numbers of around 80 to just one or two, or even wiped out completely.
Star corals, which Smith described as “the main reef formers” in V.I. waters, may not have been damaged as badly as they were in 2005, but “you can see mortality out there.”It will be sometime this summer before anything like an official assessment of the damage is available, he said. That will take reviewing video and a lot of serious number crunching.
Looking to the future, the picture is also grim.
The water temperature in the territory is currently 1.3 degrees Celsius higher than normal for this time of year, Smith said. It is the highest recorded for this time of year.
“We’re really worrying about a back-to-back bleaching event this year,” he said
In the next nine to 12 weeks, NOAA predicts the territory will be in a “watch” for an event, he said. By August — typically the most likely time for bleaching — conditions will really be ripe.
Corals face numerous dangers besides bleaching. Scientists estimate that since the 1970s, reefs in Virgin Islands waters have declined between 50 percent and 80 percent. That has devasting consequences for the marine ecosystem.
Virgin Islands Legislature Building (Source file photo)
Members of the 35th Legislature of the Virgin Islands, led by Senate President Novelle E. Francis Jr. hosted a Perma Plaque ceremony at the Frits E. Lawaetz Legislative Conference Room Monday, according to a press release.
Francis voiced the importance of the ceremony, stating, “it is always the right time to celebrate Virgin Islanders who have made their mark on our community.” He added, “I have arrived at the conclusion that those being honored were well deserving of this recognition.”
According to the release, the following were honored with perma plaques:
Bill No. 34-0203, a resolution honoring and commending Alvin Delano Burke, Sr. posthumously for his service and contributions to the sport of basketball, horse racing, and to the people of the Virgin Islands.
Bill No. 32-0264, an act honoring and commending William Bohlke, Jr. for his assistance in the introduction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hurricane Hunters as well as his numerous contributions towards the Virgin Islands through business and philanthropic efforts.
Resolution No. 1894, Bill No. 34-0288, a resolution to honor and commend retired Sgt. Maj. Charles David, for his service to the Virgin Islands National Guard.
Resolution No. 1907, Bill No. 35-0170, a resolution honoring and commemorating the Virgin Islands National Guard on the commemoration of its 50th anniversary.
Resolution No. 1888, Bill No. 34- 0202, a resolution honoring and commending Eugene “Genix” Thomas posthumously for his outstanding contributions to the Virgin Islands community as a baseball, softball, and life coach.
Bill No. 34-0157, an act honoring and commending Gloria H. Canegata Waterman for her outstanding years of service to the Virgin Islands community and public service through various organizations.
Resolution No. 1815, Bill No. 30-0551, a resolution honoring and commending Joseph Olmeda for his dedication and service to the people of the Virgin Islands.
Resolution No. 1893, Bill No. 34-0057, a resolution honoring and commending José Julio Martinez, better known as Papi Love for his outstanding contributions as a radio talk show host, educating and entertaining the people of the Virgin Islands.
Resolution No. 1887, Bill No. 34-0201, a resolution honoring and commending Kemit-Amon Lewis for his outstanding service and contributions to the marine science industry in the Virgin Islands.
Resolution No. 1898, Bill No. 34-0380, a resolution honoring and commending Michelle Mycah Leone Smith for her outstanding performance in track and field and her contributions to the Virgin Islands community as a sports ambassador.
Resolution No. 1897, Bill No. 34-0297, a resolution to posthumously honor and commend Roselin Maud McFarlane for her contributions to the Virgin Islands community and specifically as an advocate of independent living for people with disabilities.
Resolution No. 1890, Bill No. 34-0220, a resolution honoring and commending the Agriculture and Food Fair Board of Directors, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture for 50 years of diligence in coordinating, promoting, and hosting the Virgin Islands Agriculture and Food Fair, known as “Agrifest.”
Resolution No. 1906, Bill No. 35-0100, a resolution honoring and commending Music in Motion School of Higher Dance Education and its founder, Charlita Schuster, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Music in Motion Dance Academy.
Resolution 1909, Bill No 35-0217, a resolution honoring and commending the St. Croix Majorettes for its outstanding 50 years of commitment to nurturing youth, enriching community service, advancing the art and sport of baton twirling, and for its invaluable contributions to the cultural and social fabric of St. Croix.
Act No. 8739, Bill No. 35-0029, an act honoring and commending Dr. Donna Marie Christian-Christiansen, for her tireless contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands in the medical field and representation in the United States Congress.
Act No. 8736, Bill No. 35-0041, an act awarding the Virgin Islands Medal of Honor posthumously to former Sen. Edgar Milton Iles for his commendable public service and contributions to the people of the Virgin Islands.
Senators present at the Perma Plaque ceremony included Francis, Marise C. James, Angel L. Bolques, Jr., Samuel Carriόn, and Franklin D. Johnson.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. provides updates during a Government House weekly press briefing Monday. (Photo courtesy Government House Facebook)
During Monday’s weekly Government House press briefing, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. celebrated the upcoming horse races at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas during Carnival. Bryan also shared updates and enthusiasm regarding the future of tourism and improved infrastructure across the territory.
Bryan was joined by Calvert White, commissioner of the Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation, who provided details about the highly anticipated horse races scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. May 3. Numerous upgrades have been made to the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack, which has been closed for the past seven years.
Calvert White, commissioner of the Sports, Parks and Recreation Department, provided details about the highly anticipated horse races scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. May 3. (Photo courtesy Government House Facebook)
“It is important to clarify that it was always DSPR and Southland Gaming’s intention to produce and give the community a better experience than we previously had [at the racetrack],” White stated.
White explained that the grandstands are now three times the size of the original, and the height has been elevated to 10 feet, providing enhanced visibility from the bleachers. A VIP section and numerous bars and vendors throughout the facility will be available, providing various food options for attendees. Folding chairs will also be available for purchase.
Six horse races are scheduled for May 3, with the first race commencing at 1 p.m. and subsequent races starting every 45 minutes afterward. A seventh race is currently being planned. In addition to the horse races, there will be activities and entertainment during the event, including music.
Details were provided about horse races May 3 at the Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack on St. Thomas. (Photo courtesy Eventbrite and Clinton E. Phipps Racetrack)
Tickets may be purchased at the racetrack or online before the event on Eventbrite. Admission for adults is $25 and $5 for children under the age of 12. Parking will be available for $5 at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School and the Ezra Fredericks Ball Park. Shuttles will provide transportation to and from the racetrack and the parking lots for $2 each way.
“I encourage individuals to purchase [tickets] ahead of May 3,” White said.
White expressed his appreciation to the organizations involved in keeping the event safe and shared his commitment to the security of guests.
“Safety is and always will be our number one priority,” White stressed. “Security will be tight. There will be metal detectors and scanners at the gate to ensure that people attending the event are as safe as possible.”
Tourism and Infrastructure Advancements in the USVI
Bryan touted his recent experience attending the annual Sea Trade Global Conference, a meeting with global cruise industry partners. Bryan expressed excitement for the future of tourism across the territory, particularly on St. Croix.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. recently attended the Sea Trade Global Conference, a meeting with global cruise industry partners. Bryan expressed excitement for the future of tourism across the territory. (Photo courtesy Government House Facebook)
“We participated in a series of very productive and insightful engagements with some of our cruise industry ship partners, and [we also met] with some of the executive leadership of the major cruise lines,” Bryan explained.
“We exchanged a host of innovative ideas that we realize to be exciting prospects for our islands, especially the island of St. Croix, where there is the most potential for growth in our cruise industry,” Bryan said. “The potential for enhancing our cruise arrivals is immense and promises to bring vibrant new energy to our shores,” Bryan added.
When asked by the Source about specific developments within the tourism industry on St. Croix, Bryan noted that further details will be provided in the near future.
Bryan also revealed the recent acquisition of two large warehouses, along with commercial and industrial land on St. Croix, aimed to benefit the community.
“I am excited to announce a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to enhance the infrastructure of the Virgin Islands Government,” Bryan declared. “We have successfully secured the purchase of two state-of-the-art warehouses totaling 200,000 square feet of space on St. Croix,” he continued. Eighteen acres of undeveloped commercial and industrial land adjacent to the warehouses were also acquired.
Bryan noted that the warehouses are expected to improve storage capabilities and will especially benefit the Department of Education and the Department of Property and Procurement by adding refrigerated food storage facilities. Bryan noted that the extra space is expected to provide more room for safe and sanitary food storage, including food for school lunch programs.
Portions of the warehouses are anticipated to be rented to large construction companies for added revenue, and rental space for the Federal Emergency Management Agency is also being considered for storage of emergency supplies.
“[Renting space to FEMA] would help us bring more emergency supply storage onto the island rather than in Puerto Rico and other locations [to generate a faster response to an emergency situation],” Bryan explained.
“This acquisition is a testament to our commitment to the wellbeing and the prosperity of the Virgin Islands,” Bryan added.
“As we move forward, we want to make sure that we’re constantly reminding people about these groundbreaking [events], and the recovery [of the USVI] is moving. There are a lot of new projects coming in,” Bryan proclaimed.
Finally, Bryan explained that he would be out of the territory for several days starting Tuesday. The governor is traveling to St. Louis for a semi-annual Jobs for America’s Graduates meeting, for which he serves as vice chair.
Gershwain Sprauve explains his plans to rezone his property in Estate Adrian on St. John to build affordable housing during an online DPNR meeting Monday. (Screenshot from DPNR meeting)
For years, St. John residents have been struggling with a critical housing shortage, and now one local landowner is seeking to address the problem.
Gershwain Sprauve has applied to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to rezone nearly four acres in Estate Adrian from Residential-Low Density or R-1, to Business-Scattered or B-3, in order to construct 88 affordable housing units.
An image of the location of Gershwain Sprauve’s property in Estate Adrian. (Photo courtesty Map Geo)
Sprauve presented his request to rezone parcels 17F-2 and 17F-Remainder Estate Adrian, Number 18 Cruz Bay Quarter, St. John at a DPNR meeting held online Monday.
Sprauve hopes to provide 88 rental units within 22 three-story structures scattered over 4.1 acres of the property.
“The demand for affordable housing is high and is growing significantly,” said Sprauve who has previously built moderate-income rental units on his property at 11-K Estate Adrian.
Images of the exteriors and the interiors as imagined by Gershwain Sprauve for his proposed 88-unit development on St. John. (Screenshot from DPNR meeting)
He’s now working with architect Chaneel Callwood-Daniels to design units that meet the diverse housing needs of long-term residents with moderate incomes.
Sprauve said he hopes to attract young professionals, teachers, retirees, and hospitality workers, many of whom now have to commute from St. Thomas because they can’t find housing on St. John.
Preliminary plans call for studio and one-bedroom units on the ground floors; three-bedroom units on the second floors, and two-bedroom units on the third floors. Sprauve estimates that the units will range in size from 600 to 1,300 square-feet.
A rendering shows the interiors for proposed housing units at Estate Adrian. (Screenshot from DPNR meeting)
Sprauve said the units would be designed to be ecologically friendly and sustainable, with solar power, cisterns for water catchment, and a wastewater treatment plant on site.
Upon questioning from Planning Division officials, Sprauve said that the project will be built in phases, but the timeline ultimately depends on the funding. He is researching various federal government programs for affordable housing.
Sprauve said he cannot estimate the rental rates at this time. “It’s a moving scale, and it has to be somewhat subsidized; people can’t afford market-rate housing.”
Depending on the funding source, the units may be convertible from a rental basis to home-ownership after a period of time, he said.
An aerial photo shows the estate road that leads to the proposed site of an affordable housing development in Estate Adrian on St. John. (Screenshot from DPNR meeting)
The largely undeveloped property is located on an estate road off of Centerline Road opposite Coco Joe’s near Midway Market. An aerial view photo shows that the curving estate road runs roughly parallel to the George A. Simmons Housing Community towards the east.
Sprauve said a large parcel of land was bequeathed by his grandfather in the 1970s to family members. Surveys completed then do not indicate the presence of significant historical artifacts or rare species of plants or animals, but additional studies would be needed.
The public has until April 25 to send comments regarding the proposed rezoning to DPNR officials. Emails may be addressed to leia.laplace@dpnr.vi.gov. Following that, DPNR planners have 30 days to present a report to the commissioner. Once the commissioner has signed off, the rezoning request may be sent to the V.I. Legislature for approval.
The audience listens to a presentation at the V.I. Literary Festival and Book Fair in the Great Hall at UVI on St. Croix. (Photo by DaraMonifah Cooper)Tiphanie Yanique, a writer and educator from the Virgin Islands, presents a lecture/workshop on “Decolonial Realisms: Making Full Characters in Fiction.” (Photo by DaraMonifah Cooper)
New and returning authors, educators, artists, journalists, filmmakers, poets, historians, culture bearers, technologists, public officials and others from the Virgin Islands community, the Caribbean region and around the globe celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Virgin Islands Literary Festival and Book Fair that began on Thursday and ran through Sunday.
Activities took place at the University of the Virgin Islands Albert A. Sheen campus on St. Croix and in the community, all under the theme of “Legacies: Reckoning and Resilience,” which is also the theme of Volume 38 of The Caribbean Writer, currently being prepped for publication.
The full program of events can be reviewed here. The livestream recordings can be watched on the festival’s Facebook page.
Filmmaker Peter Bailey, Virgin Islander and journalist, watches along during the screening of his film, “The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders 2.0.” (Photo by DaraMonifah Cooper)Yadayyah Leo, a 15-year-old ninth-grader from the St. Croix Educational Complex High School, reads her poem, “Ancestral Grounds,” at the Cane Roots Art Gallery in Frederiksted. (Photo by DaraMonifah Cooper)United Nations representative Carlyle Corbin, Professor Aaron Ramos, and UVI Professor Malik Sekou during a panel entitled “The Legacies of Self-determination and Contemporary Challenges.” (Photo by DaraMonifah Cooper)
The Virgin Islands garnered major attention at the recent 42nd annual International Sea Turtle Symposium, March 24-19, in Pattaya, Thailand. The Hawksbill Project, founded by Scott Eanes, was spotlighted for its substantial progress in filling critical data gaps regarding hawksbill turtles in St. John last year.
From left, Dr. Paul Jobsis, sea turtle biologist and director of research at The Hawksbill Project and Scott Eanes, founder of The Hawksbill Project accept the Champions Award at the International Sea Turtle Symposium in Pattaya, Thailand. (Photo courtesy Scott Eanes)
Notably, Eanes was also honored with the prestigious Champions Award, the highest recognition presented to an individual by the symposium for carrying out outstanding work toward the research and conservation of sea turtles.
“Winning the award is an incredible achievement that validates the work WE have been doing,” said Eanes. “It is an individual award, but this really took a team. Jeremy Baird, THP’s director of development, Dr. Alex Webb, THP’s director of advocacy, Dr. Paul Jobsis, THP’s director of research, plus the entire project from Grenada, Ocean Spirits (Kate Charles and her team), UVI Sea Turtle Research, Dan Mele from UVI Epscor, Erin Lieb, Victoria Beasley from Department of Natural Resources, Stephen Connett, and so many more people were all extremely instrumental.”
Known as a keystone species, hawksbill sea turtles play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, helping to maintain the health of coral reefs and contributing to nutrient cycling and beach ecosystem health through their nesting activities. Despite their ecological importance, hawksbill sea turtles face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and poaching for their beautiful shells.
“Nearly 99 percent of hawksbill turtles are extinct and so the turtles that we see remaining represent that one percent. The Hawksbill Project was able to identify on St. John the number of hawksbill turtles that exist around the island so that organizations like the Department of Natural Resources or Friends of the Virgin Islands Natural Park can continue to monitor and protect the remaining population,” said Eanes.
From left, Dr. Paul Jobsis, sea turtle biologist and director of research at The Hawksbill Project, and Scott Eanes, founder of the Hawksbill Project at the International Sea Turtle Symposium in Pattaya, Thailand. (Photo courtesy Scott Eanes)
During the symposium, Jobsis highlighted the crucial research conducted in St. John last year that yielded fascinating results. Prior to this work, St. John would have been categorized as data deficient, indicating a lack of data on the island’s hawksbill turtle population. However, following the assessment, which involved the participation of various stakeholders including island residents, the National Park Service, and Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, among others, valuable data now exists regarding the presence or absence of hawksbill turtles on the island.
“The results of the assessment were actually very interesting. We documented over 20 hawksbills and we sampled (meaning hands on) 18 turtles, of which seven were from the northside of the island and 11 from the southside,” noted Eanes.
“The most important thing is there is now some data. Some information. Some genetic samples. If we sample them again this year, we can start to get some very good biometric data, growth rates, etc. It is all part of a larger process. Every year builds on the last and the results help us address the research questions we would like to answer the following year,” he added.
Graphic shows number of documented hatchlings making it to sea from 2017-2023 on St. John. 2,941 hatchlings successfully made it to sea for the 2023-2024 season. (Photo and graph courtesy Friends of Virgin Islands National Park 2023 season report)
The recently published 2023 Friends of Virgin Islands National Park season report brings positive news regarding Hawksbill (Ei) nests for the 2023-2024 season. The report reveals an average hatch success rate of 69.3 percent and an emergence success rate of 67.3 percent across all sites. Hatch success represents the percentage of eggs that hatch, while emergence success indicates the percentage of hatchlings that successfully leave the nest cavity.
The highest singular emergence success rate of the season was an impressive 96.8 percent. During the 2023-2024 season 2,491 hatchlings, representing both the hawksbill and green turtle species, successfully reached the sea.
From left, Dr. Paul Jobsis, sea turtle biologist and director of research at The Hawksbill Project, and Scott Eanes, founder of The Hawksbill Project displaying SWOT magazine feature “Hawksbill Cove: From Ecological Catastrophe to Conservation Classroom.” (Photo courtesy Scott Eanes)
Amidst a sea of positive developments in turtle conservation, Eanes’ captivating story, “Hawksbill Cove: From Ecological Catastrophe to Conservation Classroom,” also received the honor of being featured in the State of the World’s Sea Turtles Volume 19 publication, released on March 24. Eanes’ article reveals how a devastating accident triggered a series of events that inadvertently led to what has once again become a robust habitat for the hawksbill sea turtle. The article delves into the fascinating behaviors of hawksbill turtles, showcasing their resilience and intelligence, even amidst two Category 5 hurricanes.
“The Hawksbill Project was created to address data deficiencies as it relates to hawksbill turtles. We want to continue to work with like-minded projects that have a desire to collect this data, but for a variety of reasons may not have the funding, experience, or expertise to get it done,” said Eanes. “The award and recognition we have received this year is proof that The Hawksbill Project is fulfilling its mission.”
