The Ministry of Natural Resources will be collaborating with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and a number of other departments to enforce the territory’s beach policy.
Minister for Natural Resources Honourable Melvin Turnbull said the time has come where his ministry will no longer tolerate the actions of persons who continue to violate the Virgin Islands Beach Policy.
The policy was formalised in 2020 following Cabinet’s approval and requires persons who intend to use the beaches for commercial and in some instances non-commercial purposes, to apply to the ministry for permission.
“The Beach Policy requires that persons apply to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour for permission to use beaches for any commercial activity, regardless of the size of the operation, presence or absence of a structure, type of structure, or whether it is a temporary or permanent operation. This applies to all bar or restaurant operations, snack vending, souvenir or craft vending, beach chair rental, water sport operations, other nature-based activities, hair braiding services, spa/massage services, or any other activity involving the sale of goods or services at the beach,” Turnbull stated,
He added, “The Policy also requires the Ministry’s approval of non-commercial activities in cases where there would be groups larger than 50 persons, loudspeakers or open fires. This may include, for example, large or loud private parties or barbeques, public entertainment events, sporting events, family reunions, camping, church events, corporate events, cultural events and so on.”
Constant violations being observed
Minister Turnbull also pointed to several examples of violations that have been observed over a period of time with persons who he described as having no regard to the instructions within the Beach Policy.
He said, “The Ministry is aware that many persons and organizations are carrying out commercial activities and non-commercial events on beaches without the required permission. In carrying out these activities, in addition to violating the Beach Policy, in many instances persons are building structures on the beach illegally and even squatting on Crown land. Persons are also operating without basic legal requirements like a trade licence, liquor licence and food handler’s licence.”
“In addition to requiring permission for use as outlined above, Madam Speaker, the Beach Policy sets out parameters within which persons must operate to ensure the protection of the beach and the enjoyment of all users. For example, the Policy states that no equipment or beach chairs should remain on the sandy area of the beach unless they are in use. All items not in use must be immediately removed from the sandy area. This is a provision that we see blatantly violated at several beaches, including Cane Garden Bay and Long Bay, Beef Island. This violation impacts on the public’s ability to enjoy the beach as the sand is often covered with empty beach chairs during the weekend, preventing users from accessing preferred areas of the beach and obstructing views,” he further explained.
Violations will no longer be tolerated
As it pertains to the approach of his ministry moving forward, Turnbull said all persons found in breach of the Beach Policy will be dealt with accordingly.
“The main purpose of my intervention today is to warn all members of the public and commercial operators that the Ministry will not continue to tolerate such blatant violations around beach use and management. The Ministry will collaborate with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, the Town and Country Planning Department, Trade Department, the Attorney General’s Chambers and other relevant authorities to uphold the Beach Policy and enforce all applicable legislation. This means that, in the future, persons can expect for unapproved events and commercial activities to be shut down,” Turnbull stated.