The Simpson Bay Lagoon – a Caribbean gem, hub of commerce and activity, and environmental disaster zone all at once – is now the focus of three Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam students, who are working together to research the value of one of the largest inland lagoons in the Caribbean from various angles: social, environmental and economic.
Anne Molenaar, Anna Fralikhina and Sem Duijndam are Master students in Environment and Resource Management at the VU, and interns for Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC). The research is forming the basis for their graduation theses.
The three are building on a foundation set by former EPIC Project Manager Kippy Gilders, who carried out exploratory research, and catalogued the various functions and services of the lagoon.
The students will be delving into the most important items, such as tourism, storm surge protection, biodiversity, recreation and water quality.
While they have only recently arrived on the island, they have already done all the secondary research possible, and have started gathering pertinent information from some of the island’s stakeholders.
The three are combining resources and collecting primary information by means of a household survey, to be carried out throughout the island, on both the French and Dutch sides. To this end, they are looking for local volunteers to assist in carrying out the surveys.
How is value evaluated?
The lagoon’s value can be evaluated from different perspectives, and each student will be using the research findings to answer different questions.
Duijndam will be looking at the lagoon’s economic value, and delve into how different people utilise the lagoon (for example, in work or recreation) and how negative environmental impacts such as pollution or overdevelopment affect industries and livelihoods, directly or indirectly. For just one example, water pollution affects coral reefs and how the lagoon can be used for recreational activities; what is that worth in terms of tourism dollars?
A better idea of total economic value will form the basis for different management scenarios and cost-benefit analyses – valuable insight for decision-makers.
Molenaar is also considering value from an economic perspective, and exploring how the community perceives this value. How do people perceive the natural environment in general and how is it reflected in their actions? Do demographics play a role?
Fralikhina is focusing on water quality in different parts of the lagoon, aiming to map out which places suffer from what types of pollution, and what the sources are. This gives insight into how the issues can best be managed.
Delving into the different aspects will provide a clearer view of what the Simpson Bay Lagoon really means to the island’s community.
The household surveys, which will start soon, will be randomised, and take about 15 minutes.
The students are seeking volunteers to help conduct the surveys in neighbourhoods across the island. While anyone who would like to contribute to the research – and conservation, by extension – is welcome; the ability to speak French is a definite plus.
Schedules are flexible, and local students will be able to log community service hours. There will be an information evening to explain the ins-and-outs. Interested in volunteering? Email Anne at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or WhatsApp Anna at +1(916) 225 9350.
Since 2000, EPIC has been working throughout the West Indies to further the scientific understanding of the issues faced by the Caribbean ecosystem, educate the public about conservation, and promote public involvement in ecological restoration and protection.
Photo by Mark Yokoyama.
