News that Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) St. Maarten and The Business Point are working to re-establish sewage pump-out service for yachts (see Thursday paper) was most welcome. This is an important part of trying to prevent further pollution in and around Simpson Bay.
Marinas have found clients asking for the option no longer available since Hurricane Irma. Six years later it appears they will soon get their wish.
Certainly not all captains think that way, though, and some undoubtedly prefer to release the content of their holding tanks into the water at no cost, perhaps without even a second thought. The environmental consequences of such irresponsible behaviour are obvious.
It has been argued in the past that land-based wastewater run-off has a far greater negative impact than what’s coming from boats, considering the continued lack of a sewage treatment facility for the Cole Bay area. What’s more, pump trucks are still regularly seen dumping their contents into the lagoon instead of taking it to the purification plant on Illidge Road as required by law.
However, two wrongs don’t make a right. Both issues must be tackled post-haste to protect this ecologically and economically vital natural resource.
But if using Slurpy remains voluntary, its positive effect is likely to be limited. Especially moored or anchored vessels that refrain from doing so will keep adding to the problem,
Long-term, a compulsory approach perhaps together with Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) seems advisable, including active enforcement and control. At the end of the day this should not just be a matter of choice, but rather a non-negotiable rule.
