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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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Environment and development in coastal regions and in small islands |
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CSI papers 1
Traditional and Socio-Cultural Beach Management Issues: a Regional Assessment
Gillian Cambers,
COSALC, University of Puerto Rico, Sea Grant College Program
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a questionnaire survey which focused on six major subject areas: beach maintenance, water safety for beachgoers, public access to beaches, conflicts between various beach user groups, noise and other issues. The respondents were mainly from government agencies in the islands of: Anguilla, Antigua-Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Nevis and St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Turks and Caicos Islands. Personal interviews as well as a mailing approach were utilized. Major issues identified were: the lack, and in some islands complete absence, of public beach facilities including parking, toilets and changing areas; conflicts between different user groups; and a lack of public access to the beaches, especially vehicular access. Sustainable management of the region's beaches will only result when governments, together with local communities, NGOs and the public are fully involved in the search for, and implementation of solutions. In the short term it is likely that beach management will continue to be approached on a piecemeal basis.
