One of the jewels in the Carribeans crown is under threat.
A Marriot development on Rocky Point and ‘Back Bay’ Tobago are threatening the environment and the classic surf spot of Mount Irvine.
A formal NGO called the Rocky Point Foundation, has been set up to fight the plans for large development by Marriot, and to proposal for the Rocky Point Heritage Park & Nature Reserve formally and legitimately.
They need your support by signing this petition
The bay holds a classic surf spot, but here are other pressing environmental concerns.
“The RPF is in full agreement that Tobago needs a brand such as Marriot and commends the developers for garnering their interest, however, for the environmental, archeological & heritage reasons outlined on our website (www.saverockypoint.com the RPF believes that the lands at Rocky Point are not suited to this type of development, and the development could ironically destroy the same unique beauty, that made the site attractive for the development in the first place.
” 1. Environmental Concerns
” 1.1 Turtle Nesting: Back Bay is a sea turtle nesting site for Environmental Sensitive Species (ESS) such as Leather Back & Hawksbill turtles; both of which are listed on the ICUN’s Red List of Threatened Species as ‘Vulnerable’ and ‘Critically
” 1.2 Back Bay Beach and Back Shore Vegetation: The ‘Back Shore’ is the area of coastline beyond the reaches of the regular tides and is stable enough to support vegetation; this vegetation, including large trees along the shore as well as the cliffs and slopes up from the beach, play a critically important role in stabilizing the sand on the beach and mitigating the energy of waves and currents that affect the shoreline. The waves during northern hemisphere winters often run up the beach all the way to the cliffs. If this vegetation is removed, it is highly probable that the coast will lose its sand altogether, permanently.
” 1.3 Mt. Irvine Beach and coastline: The shoreline in this area is receding significantly; however, the rate of recession is presently being slowed by the vegetation north of the beach facility, so any removal of this vegetation will also remove the natural protection to the ongoing erosion. This particular coastline is quite unique, in that it has an extensive ‘near shore’ reef system which is the only other natural defense against erosion. In this ‘near shore’ reef the system physically disrupts the wave energy that attacks this coastline, however, the reef system is also presently under pressure from the pollution of the reef by the non-functioning sewage treatment plant thus hampering the reef from flourishing. Any removal of the vegetation on the bluff and point overlooking the reef will significantly increase the runoff from the land, which will likely inundate the already pressured reef system, with soil and dirt contaminants that can stifle the system.
” 1.4 Manchineel Vegetation: Both the Back Bay and Mt. Irvine coastlines have significant Manchineel trees as well as other salt and dry tolerant vegetative species. This natural ecosystem has defined the physical environment for centuries. Removal, alteration, and/or replacement of these species could alter the physical environment such that the coastline could be more susceptible to erosion. The alteration of groundwater flows could affect the marine environment, especially the coral and reef structure of the surrounding near-shore area.”
Find out more here
https://saverockypoint.com/#stance
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