Ins & Outs of Grenada

UNDERWATER  43 INS Hawksbill Turtle Cruising Green Moray Eel > Photos: Keone Drew, courtesy Eco Dive Responsible Tourism Grenada is now home to four declared marine parks: Molinere Beauséjour MPA, home to the Underwater Sculpture Park, listed as one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World, the Sandy Island Oyster Bed MPA in Carriacou, Woburn Clarke’s Court Bay MPA on Grenada’s east coast and the most recently launched Grand Anse MPA. This commitment, combined with a general increase in environmental awareness, has led to several important initiatives within the marine park management and scuba diving communities. Dive operators and local businesses are leading underwater and beach cleanups year-round, hosting lionfish hunts and competitions to control the population of the invasive species, and the island now hosts an annual Pure Dive Fest every October. Coral nurseries have been established to rescue and transplant fragile corals, and in partnership with the Grenada Hotel & Tourism Association and Grenada Tourism Authority, two shipwrecks have been prepared and sunk as artificial reefs - the MV Anina near to Purple Rain Reef on Grenada’s south west coast, and The Tyrrel Bay, in the Grand Anse Bay. For marine parks to be truly accepted and respected by all stakeholders including fishermen, the community, visitors, and the private sector, we need to get everyone on board. Many of those who originally opposed the parks’ fishing restrictions, are now some of the biggest champions of the marine protection. Fishermen are now catching bigger hauls just outside the park boundaries than they had in years. So already, Grenada’s fish populations are recovering and divers, snorkelers and fishermen alike can see the results. Christine Finney is a Marine Biologist with Eco Dive Grenada. 1. Respect our closed fishery season. No lobster or sea urchin from May to September. 2. No turtle or shark meat - ever. They are all threatened, endangered or critically endangered and need protection. Extinction is forever. 3. Take part in Grenada’s annual Pure Dive Fest : 3-9 October 2020. 4 . Plan your Marine Park visit at your local dive shop or day charter 5. Do not purchase souvenirs made of corals, turtle shell or conch 6. Encourage your tour guides to teach you more about our conservation areas 7. Choose operators/guides who support Marine Protected Areas 8. Eat lionfish - lots of it! This invasive species is native to the Indo-Pacific and indiscriminately devours local juvenile reef fish. 8 ways to help protect Grenada’s pristine marine ecosystems for generations to come