British Virgin Islands

The Conservation and Fisheries Department has endeavored to bring awareness to the importance of coral reefs through a variety of activities.

Calendar of Event

February
- The Marine Awareness Guide (MAG) Launch
  The Marine Awareness Guide more affectionately dubbed as the MAG was introduced to the public during a cocktail launch on Tuesday, 26th February 2008 at The Moorings Hotel and Restaurant. At the event co-hosted by The Moorings and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, local environmental advocates and government officials gathered together to share in the first of its kind, a magazine focused on educating visitors and locals about what they can do to ensure the sustainability of our natural resources here in the British Virgin Islands.
  The original concept of the Marine awareness Guide (MAG) was that of Marine Biologist at the Conservation and Fisheries Department, Ms. Shannon Gore, who was constantly bombarded with complaints of visitors and their unfriendly practices to the reefs. With the financial aid of The Moorings, 10,000 copies of the MAG were produced. It has since been distributed to all schools, hotels and marine based business and organizations throughout the Territory.
  Special thanks are in order to the local photographers who contributed their photographs to the magazine.
- IYOR Poster displayed at the BVI Agriculture Fair
March
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Remedies from the Reef"
April
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Ancient Reefs"
- Newspaper article by Shannon Gore - "International Year of the Reef" BVI Standpoint, 17 April 2008.
- Press Release on IYOR - BVI Beacon, 23 April, 2008
May
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Cold Corals"
- Reef Check (May 23 - 31)
  Throughout the year persons are encouraged to carry out or participate in an activity that would highlight International Year of the Reef. Mrs. Trish Bailey, a local environmental advocate and marine-based business owner, has again organized this annual event.
June
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Reef Architecture"
- Environment Month / 19th Annual Fisherman's Day
  Another awareness activity of the Conservation and Fisheries Department, Environment Month and Fisherman's Day was geared towards highlighting the relationship among the Fisheries, Environment and International Year of the Reef. T-shirts were used to depict this integration.
July
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Shedding light on the reef"
- Participation at 11th International Coral Reef Symposium, Ft. Lauderdale
  Ms. Shannon Gore of the Conservation and Fisheries Department represented the Territory in this event.
- Stamp Contest
  The stamp contest was launched in July by the Conservation and Fisheries Department and the BVI Post Office. Winning entries will be selected for the first in a BVI postal stamp series of "Protecting our Environment, Safeguarding our Future." The first series will highlight coral reefs and will be launched next year.
August
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Sex on the Reef"
September
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Raiders of the Reef"
- International Coastal Cleanup
- Photo Contest ends - Sep. 15
October
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Corals under the Weather"
- Snorkel Trail
- International Coastal Cleanup
  The British Virgin Islands has been participating in the International Coastal Cleanup for a number of years. Hopefully, the reduction in waste reaching our waters will reduce the impact to coral reefs from pollution. The Conservation and Fisheries Department has scheduled the programme for 8th September - 12th October 2008.
November
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide "Corals on Acid"
- Participation at the CSI on Coral Reefs workshop, Barbados
- IYOR closing reception hosted by Governor - Announcement of Stamp winners and introduction of "Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008"
December
- IYOR article in the BVI Yacht Guide TBD
- "Leave it in the BVI" Poster launch
  This poster will be introduced to all ports of entry into the Territory. It will identify materials that visitors may like to keep as souvenirs but cannot leave the BVI, that is, conch shells, coral, etc.

Environmental Advocates Cocktail/Banquet

His Excellency the Governor David Pearey will host a cocktail party to announce the winners of the stamp contest. In addition, we will use this forum to highlight the achievements of environmental advocates in the British Virgin Islands. We will also use the opportunity to launch the 2nd run of the MAG and introduce the BVI Climate Watch newsletter. Date and time will be announced at a later date.

Publications

Marine awareness Guide - A 56-page fully illustrated magazine with major headings including:
- Marine Habitats
- Marine Species
- Marine Related Laws
- Conservation Practices
- Potentially Dangerous Marine Organisms
- Storm Preparations & Safety
IYOR Monthly Articles
An agreement was made between the BVI Yacht Guide and Ms. Shannon Gore, Marine Biologist at the Conservation and Fisheries Department, to produce articles for the magazine. The first article was published in the March edition of the BVI Yacht Guide.