Getting out in the world

Culebra finally gets some press; if you haven't noticed, on some issues that matter to all of us. Here is the Daily Sun's article from yesterday. Horizonte also had an article, and El Nuevo Dia is supposed to have something today (thanks for the spelling corrections, David!).

Culebra residents blast DNER for allowing misuse of beaches

April 15, 2010

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by Juan A. Hernandez

jhernandez@prdailysun.net

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A group of residents from Culebra denounced Wednesday the “irrational use” of beaches and other coastal resources the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has been allowing by granting permits for commercial activities that harm the protected ecosystem.

On April 2 the people of Culebra took to the sea to prevent the entrance of a cargo ferry to the protected Dakity cove. The ship was carrying supplies for a beach party event produced by José Torres’ Ways Communications and sponsored by Medalla beer producer Compañía Cervecera de Puerto Rico.

“While they had acquired a permit from the DNER, just two days before the event, nobody in Culebra, not even the municipal government or the Police, had heard of it,” said Tomás Ayala, a resident and community leader of Culebra.

The event was supposed to be a beach party that was to take place in the water because Dakity has no beach. Dakity is a small cove formed by coral reefs and adjacent mangroves and coastal wetlands.

“I think the Natural Resources Secretary should go about learning a little on how to protect our natural resources in Culebra,” said resident Digna Feliciano.

“If he is not up to it, I would respectfully request his resignation,” added. Feliciano.

Culebra is a small island some 16 miles off Puerto Rico’s east coast. Current federal regulations have established a special protected zone of two kilometers around the island prohibiting and/or limiting activities that could represent a threat to the marine ecosystem. Culebra’s coasts have been designated as critical habitat areas for coral, seagrass prairies and endangered marine species.

Mary Ann Lucking, spokesperson for environmental organization CORALations explained that environmental authorities like the National Marine Fisheries Service had informed the people of Culebra that they could not comment on the possible threats an event like the one proposed by Torres and Medalla unless the U.S. Coast Guard had issued a permit. A later call to the USCG revealed that they had decided producer Torres “did not need a permit for a party.”

The so called “party” included a 137 foot barge from Inter-island Ferry that, aside from carrying supplies for the “party”, also carried several Medalla vans, a fuel tank truck and some 50 passengers. The barge was also to serve as a floating platform for the live entertainment. The event had been advertised three weeks before in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, informed Ayala.

“Dakity is visited by some 200 boats every single day during Holy Week. I wonder how many others would have come to this party and how much damage they would have caused to the shallow seabed?,” said Ayala.

A group of fishermen and residents of Culebra prevented Torres’ barge and its crew from reaching Dakity by surrounding the vessel and blocking the channel the gives entrance to the cove. Torres allegedly tried to “negotiate” with municipal authorities, which had not been contacted before Good Friday, and allegedly offered Culebra’s Mayor Abraham Peña a free patron saint festival, courtesy of Medalla.

Torres finally decided to cancel the event Good Friday’s afternoon after the stiff opposition of the culebrenses.

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The day before yesterday, with its stillness and heat, was not a forecast of things to come yet...since yesterday was windy and cool and wonderful (unless you were in a dinghy trying to come in from Dakity without getting wet).

From high on a hill the sun going down was incredibly beautiful.

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And last but not least...Dinghy Dock is back in the bar biz! I missed the early part of the soft re-opening, but made it there for the last song and last call...

Steve, back where he belongs!

A few of the true

Neil & Karen drinking legally!

For some reason, a few other photos I took were a wee bit blurry(er)...but you get the idea. We're so happy for you Neil! And for all of us as well. 'bout time!