Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5357/-1/140/
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Wanton Vandalism Of New Marine Park Signs
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It was a sorry sight to see that at some time during the week before last a reckless act of vandalism had reduced Anguilla’s new Marine Park signs in Little Bay to no more than an eye-sore.
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The newly installed sign at Dog Island
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These signs, installed in all of Anguilla’s five Marine Parks (Dog Island, Prickly Pear, Sandy Island, Little Bay, and Shoal Bay & Island Harbour) over the last few months by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources, are in place to make all visitors to these important areas aware of their special nature and the regulations that govern their use.
The signs in Little Bay have been described by some as an eye-sore even before they were reduced to broken fragments a fortnight ago. This indeed may be the reason certain individuals decided to take it upon themselves to forcibly remove the signs by pelting them with large rocks.
However, the signs serve the larger purpose of preserving these important areas for future generations by making people aware of how to behave properly in regions of such outstanding natural beauty.
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The remains of one of the signs in Little Bay after it was vandalised two weeks ago
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For those who still insist that these signs detract from the splendour of their surroundings, some questions need answering: Do you want to find huge fire pits dug into our special areas such as that found in Meads Bay a number of weeks ago? Are you happy for the younger generation to play on beaches that may be covered in broken bottles and other unsanitary garbage? Do you want our underwater realm reduced to no more than a wasteland because of other people’s improper actions? What would happen to Anguilla’s economy if tourists stopped visiting the island in favour of more pristine parts of the Caribbean?
These Marine Park signs are part of an ongoing effort to educate all those who live on or visit our beautiful island to make them aware, and be appreciative of, how special the natural environment is. If the ecological integrity of Anguilla is allowed to deteriorate through improper actions it will damage Anguilla, its residents, and its economy forever.
For any feedback on this subject or other marine related matters please contact the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources located on Crocus Hill (Tel: 497-2871).