A Reef Guardian Project

In 2007 I, along with others, created the Reef Guardians (RG) organization and began many innovative programs to strengthen the British Virgin Islands marine economies.  One such program of social science, business practices and economic growth was the GPS inclusion aspect on the invasive species project concerning the Lion Fish. 

We conducted fundraising events with the support of Virgin Islands Search & Rescue the BVI Conservation & Fisheries Department and beach front restaurants such as Pusser’s. After completing one of our community events, which includes Lion Fish culling methods, safe handling, preparing and wholesale distribution to our educated restaurants, licensed fisherman were given a basic handheld GPS unit.

 The instructions and usage agreement consisted of the fisherman’s responsibility to “Way Point” the coordinates of each of their Pots and permission for RG to download the anonymous yet quantitative data.  

This was a simple yet great improvement on their operational functionality assisting in territorial rights, loss prevention and efficiency. 

Government licensing required the fisherman to understand and adhere to relevant legislative measures including protected areas.  With financial and scientific assistance from Sir Richard Branson and the H. Lavity Stout Community College Marine Biology Department, we conducted scientific ciguatera testing. We learned that the Northern fish were not inflicted. This quantifiable monitoring provided restaurants limited liability and therefore the desire to purchase. Restaurants promoting Lion Fish menus increased their social good standing and provided additional public awareness of invasive species.  Data collection also assisted us on Lion Fish demographic populations and contributed to our monitoring survey models

Another integrated approach was in preventative species loss and resource recovery. The GPS adaptation for the local fisherman provided them with assurance and willingness to install our degrading wire and spring to open lost Fish Pot trap doors.

 With their coordinates we facilitated the incorporation of weekend “local’s only” day dive trip specials at dive centers (mine included) to dive for the recovery of lost Pots due to storms or unintentional propeller breakage. This prevention of “death Pots” laying on the ocean floor and the recovery of lost ones greatly enhanced the marine preservation and improvement of all marine businesses economies.  

This is an example of an integration project that benefits all people and nature. It’s scalable, transferable and once operational management is desired by all of society. We set expanding targets and provide corrective improvements and advise, while encouraging society’s own management.  

Families, communities and nations depend on the resources of biodiversity. Entrepreneurial social conservation enables us to create biodiversity sustainability.  We need to adapt local and global behavioral change to assure our planet remains capable of providing for our livelihoods.  

Tony Brunn