USVI on Select List

Link?

http://seastates.us/2013_us/SeaStates_US_2013_Report.pdf

Thanks, OT. The link didn't paste with the copy of the text. The citation was found on another site which I don't remember now.

In all fairness, this accomplishment is not due to our local government or anything that we did (that I am aware of), but due to Federal regulations restricting fishing in Federal waters, like around St. Croix's Buck Island National Park.

Surprising, since the DPNR advisories that come out weekly point out the beaches that have high levels of contaminants.
Like this one just recently after our rain.
http://stthomassource.com/content/community/environment/2015/10/09/beaches-environmental-protection-issues-public-advisory

Surprising, since the DPNR advisories that come out weekly point out the beaches that have high levels of contaminants.
Like this one just recently after our rain.
http://stthomassource.com/content/community/environment/2015/10/09/beaches-environmental-protection-issues-public-advisory

We had 3/4 of an inch in a 30 minute downpour earlier this week (mid-island STX). There probably wasn't any run-off from this into the ocean.

Surprising, since the DPNR advisories that come out weekly point out the beaches that have high levels of contaminants.
Like this one just recently after our rain.
http://stthomassource.com/content/community/environment/2015/10/09/beaches-environmental-protection-issues-public-advisory

Sounds like DPNR took a long weekend and didn't want to test waters since Magen's is packed right now. We had little runoff that I could see. They always err on side of caution.

According to the SeaStates report on page 5, it is up to the states (and territories) to designate protected areas as no-take, and VI has designated more coastal areas than most of the other states and territories.

BTW, the report has nothing to do with beach advisories. It indicates % of coastal areas designated as no take. Great news for snorkelers and divers.

Surprising, since the DPNR advisories that come out weekly point out the beaches that have high levels of contaminants.
Like this one just recently after our rain.
http://stthomassource.com/content/community/environment/2015/10/09/beaches-environmental-protection-issues-public-advisory

We had 3/4 of an inch in a 30 minute downpour earlier this week (mid-island STX). There probably wasn't any run-off from this into the ocean.

The advisories list contaminated beach waters even during drought situations and times of no rain.

Of course they don't post them usually until the week following when they've done the testing so don't know what use they actually are.

What areas in STT are no take? On STX I know of only Buck Island, and that is Federal.

I'm pretty certain on STX, it's the entire East End Marine Park, not just around Buck Island.

http://ocean.floridamarine.org/acp/sjacp/Documents/NOAA/Wildlife_Sanctuaries_Brochure.pdf

The mangrove lagoon on the East End of St Thomas has a protected area. There may be others. Maybe areas around Hassel Island since that's NPS.

Great link, Sparty! Thanks for posting.

Secret harbor is definitely no take and I think it extends towards Mangrove Lagoon yes.

http://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/habitat_assessment/usvi.pdf

BTW, the report has nothing to do with beach advisories. It indicates % of coastal areas designated as no take. Great news for snorkelers and divers.

I'm confused why beach advisories were even entered into the discussion.

Hmmm, maybe because those same contaminants that aren't good for use adversely affect corals, sea creatures, fish, etc.?