Kelvin Penn, Rob Moir, and Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer, Bertrand Lettsome (Hampshire College graduates all) stand steadfast for responsible ecosystem-based management that is inclusive of local voices. Beef Island on chart behind is headed for Rob's jugular vein, Scrub Island in his ear.

Save Beef Island!

In the northeast corner of the Caribbean Sea, the Virgin Island Environmental Council in the British Virgin Islands has challenged in court international corporate greed-huggers.   This is a first for a Caribbean Sea nation, a first for British or American territories around the globe.

The former BVI chief minister travelled to Hong Kong to give away Beef Island. He gave with assurances that environmental laws could be disregarded including destruction of a marine protected area.  The mega-developers had no idea this little island on the threshold between Anegada Passage and Sir Francis Drake Passage in the Caribbean Sea had once thwarted seventh-century Spanish greed-huggers.  The French word for those who barbecued the beef on this very shore is “Buccaneer.”  What followed when BVI locals were offered miserly payments for smoked meats by corporate ships is the stuff of legends.  “Arrrrgh!”

Wheatley and Moir stand near Devil's Bay MPA

The treasures of BVI lie not beneath the ground but beneath the waves, in salt ponds and in mangroves. BV Islanders named Beef Island's Hans Creek MPA for Ham a mate favored by Captain Kidd. Today this is a favored haunt for brown pelicans and the occassional flamingo down from Anegada.

Thanks to you ORI raised the necessary money for VIEC to meet in court corporate greed-huggers that once colluded with government to destroy pristine environments.  Having put wrong-headed developers on the defense, we must now raise the funds to bring the London-based Barristers back for the Appeal.

VIEC states case against Beef Island resort developers

VIEC challenged the Beef Island development on three grounds: irrationality, illegality, and bias. . .

Near the end of court session . . .

The case involved judicial review of the former NDP Government’s planning approval for a five-star hotel, marina and golf course that would destroy the scientifically documented biologically important Hans Creek Fisheries Protected Area in Beef Island, British Virgin Islands.

The case has received international attention and acclaim, including the support of Sir Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airways and Mosquito and Necker Islands in the BVI. Sir Richard provided ORI discounted flights on his airline for the legal team flying in from the UK.

In relation to funding for the legal action which continues to be a major challenge, the VIEC has been fortunate to receive the assistance of the Cambridge-based Ocean River Institute (ORI). It is a registered US Charity that provides support services for small environmental groups to take action in their own communities. You may join with Sir Richard in support of VIEC by making a contribution on line. Please indicate your ecological interests on the tax-exempt form.

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