Water Shortage: What can we do?

By: Te-Hsin Tsai (Grace)

Taiwan ICDF Overseas Volunteer

Forestry Department

~Imagine there are, an apple and a liter of water in front of you. Now guess how many liters of water we need to produce this apple…~

I am pretty sure that most St. Lucians have the knowledge that saving water is very important and everyone has the responsibility to conserve water. Every day when you go to some public places, especially in the toilet, you can see many sensational posters or signs saying “Water is Life!”, “Save water, save life”, or “when there is no more water , then there is no more you!” Also, teachers in every school teach students to save water. WASCO tells everyone to save water. TV and radio broadcast this message all the time and so on.

But with St. Lucia being an island surrounded by water; the sea, you may think to yourself don’t you see we have lots of water?! So why do we need to save water if we have plenty of it?

Yes, I know some may also say “it’s sea water. We can’t use it.” And I will respond to you that “yes you are very right!” It is true that we need to save freshwater as we only have less than 1 % of the total amount of earth’s water being freshwater, so saving freshwater is very important!

However, let me tell you another truth. In this less than 1 % of freshwater, the water we use everyday such as the water for washing dishes, cars, taking showers, drinking, cooking etc. accounts for only 8 % of freshwater use. The other 92 %, is used by agriculture and industry. So, yes, you are saving water but just from the 8 % of domestic water consumption, which is also important, but unfortunately it is not enough!

Most of the things we can see now either comes from industry or agriculture, they cost direct and indirect water consumption. For example, we need water in the factory to cool down machines or wash products. And we need water for agriculture to grow crops and rear animals.

Now let’s get back to “how much water is needed for producing an apple?” The answer is 70 liters of freshwater (Water Footprint Network, 2012). From irrigating, harvesting, processing such as washing, delivering to shops and then your home, it takes 70 liters of water! Can you believe that! Do you think you can save 70 liters of water a day?

How about other things? A cup of coffee takes 140 liters of water. 1 kg of rice takes 3,400 liters of water and 1 kg of beef takes 15,500 liters of water (Water Footprint Network, 2012). These are just foods, how about tables, clothes, cars and other products? They need even more water to be manufactured!

Let me stop scaring you with the numbers. Maybe you already feel bad for having wasted water today. So let us do something instead of feeling guilty. What we can do is actually quite simple – just keep it simple. Think carefully when you eat or buy things. Ask yourself twice “do I really need these things?” before you buy them. Moreover, reuse old things. Eat simple foods instead of highly processed ones which are less healthy. Eat less meat or become a vegetarian; you can save water and also become healthier. In addition, eat seasonal foods because foods which are not planted in the right season need extra energy and water to produce them.

So, let us not only save domestic water but other freshwater by living more simply. And by the way, an additional piece of good news is that this can help you save lots of your money too.

Why Water Resources Management Agency: A necessary and timely response for water resources management in Saint Lucia.

By Fitzgerald John   
Water Resource Management Agency

Many people argue that the world faces an impending water crisis. This debate is fueled by the following facts:

·        Approximately 0.4 % of the total water in the world is available for humans.

·        More than 2 billion people are affected by water shortages in over 40 countries.

·        Over two million tonnes per day of human waste are deposited in water courses.

·        Half the population of the developing world are exposed to polluted sources of water that increases the incidence of diseases.

·        Increase in water demand due to the expected growth in the world’s population, from 7 billion to 9 billion people over the next 50 years.

·        The question of urbanization on the local economies.

In summary, water resources are increasingly under pressure from impacts of population growth, increasing water withdrawals, increasing economic activity, improper land use management practices, high levels of pollution, infrastructural development, and the effects of climate change.

A situation analysis of water in Saint Lucia indicates that the island is facing a water stress which will worsen and reach crisis proportion if a business as usual approach should continue. The analysis also revealed that water resources are managed in a very fragmented manner. There was no single agency responsible for the overall management of water resources in Saint Lucia. Management of water resources was shared among 12 government agencies, each operating independently of each other. This implies that the planning, development, conservation and management of such an important resource was not undertaken in an integrated and holistic manner. These shortcomings led to conflicts in use, allocation, and mismanagement of our water resources.

The situation of water management in Saint Lucia was highlighted to the government of the day, who agreed that the current situation was far from ideal and would support the adoption of an integrated approach to water resources management. It was further agreed that there was a need to rationalize the institutional arrangements within the public sector for the effective management of water resources and the adoption and implementation of a water policy. To this end a new Water and Sewage Act (No. 14 of 2005) was enacted to provide, inter alia, the enabling environment and the necessary legislative framework and institutional arrangements for the establishment of a Water Resources Management Agency (WRMA).This piece of legislation was further revisited in 2008 with the necessary amendments enshrined. The new Agency is charged responsible for the management, protection, control, allocation and use of Saint Lucia’s water resources and was under the portfolio of the minister responsible for agriculture, however with new dispensation, the WRMA will now be operating under the Ministry for Sustainable Development, Science, Energy and Technology.

Though the WRMA was established by the promulgation of the Water and Sewage Act No. 14 of 2005, it was formalized and became functional three years later towards the end of 2008. Thanks to the Ministry of Agriculture personnel who did all in their powers to enable the eventual birth of the Agency at a time when the water resources of our country needed to be managed efficiently and sustainably. The sustainable management of the country’s water resources is the primary objective and mandate of the Agency along with its many functions and this could only be achieved through an integrated approach in which all stakeholders are brought on board to participate in the activities and decision making processes of the Water Resources Management Agency. Recently the agency conducted several consultative sessions on its draft strategic action plan with the aim at receiving feedback on the way forward for the agency. To date we are in the process of consolidating these ideas so that the agency can make a formal presentation to the Permanent Secretaries and Ministers for ratification.

Question: Is St. Lucia’s Exotic Pet Trade Industry creating a pathway for Invasive Alien Species (IAS)?

By: Dr. Ulrike Krauss & Timotheus Jn Baptiste

Have we noticed how big pet trading has become lately? As an emerging world issue our small island nation is not exempt from the potential threats of these exotic pets. The phrase “One man’s pet is frequently another man’s problem” springs to mind. Whilst we watch, this silent problem walks, crawls, flies or swims, into our homes, offices, farms and forests via numerous formal, informal, poorly-regulated or even illegal outlets.

The exotic pet trade will remain a silent problem until people are educated about the dangers, identify the victims, and are aware of the growing size of the problem. Education is a major component of a current drive to improve our understanding of the issues involved in the trading of exotic pets and to create a better relationship with persons within the pet trade industry. Although pets provide many emotional and psychological benefits, gaps in the industry can create many unwanted and severely detrimental situations for everyone.

The physical safety of the public is not only an issue for owners of exotic animals; the spread of disease is a much larger threat. Exotic animals often carry diseases such as herpes B, salmonella, monkey pox and rabies, all of which are easily transmittable to and potentially lethal to humans.

Most people who buy exotic animals have no idea what they're getting into. Even the most well-meaning person can become frustrated after trying to meet the high demands and special needs of a "pet" monkey for 30 years. As wild animals age they become more difficult to handle.

Even smaller pets like; parrots, reptiles (e.g. terrapin turtles) and small mammals, such as hamsters, are often mistakenly thought of as easy "starter pets" for children. The truth is these small exotic animals require very special care and maintenance and veterinary costs can be very high. When people discover that they are unprepared or unable to provide for their exotic pets' costly needs, these animals are often abandoned or die from inadequate care.

Ultimately, our local government and taxpayers bear enormous responsibility and costs when exotic animals are set loose or escape and must be recaptured, or when they are seized due to neglect or because they are endangering the community.

Current international regulations on the pet trade as a pathway for Invasive Alien Species (IAS) have very limited scope. Notwithstanding, national laws and regulations exist and are implemented through the Veterinary Department and the Forestry Department.  The Wildlife Act 1980 regulates pet import procedures and restricts the keeping of local wildlife as pets.

As pet keepers, we should not only follow the law, but also use good judgement on what species we can care for throughout their lifespan.  Under no circumstances should pets (including fish, live feed and aquarium plants!) be released into the wild.  Pet keepers need to ensure their animals do not escape accidentally either. 

Pet breeders and vendors have a vested interest in the safe and responsible running of the industry.  Their long-term business success depends on taking informed and professional actions.  This, in turn, requires regular capacity-building and seeking expert advice, e.g. from the Wildlife Unit of the Forestry Department (Tel. 468 5644).

Presenting a case study for your discussion, what do you think?

Case in Point Red-eared Slider Terrapins Wreak Havoc in Freshwater Ecosystems

The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) enjoys great popularity as a pet.  Over 52 million individuals have been exported from its North-American origin to foreign markets between 1989 and 1997.  Its robustness, which renders it an uncomplicated pet even for children, is a two-edged sword: this terrapin has a remarkable ability to adapt to a range of climates and invade novel habitats.  Red-eared sliders are omnivores: they feed on plants and prey on small waterfowl, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates and are strong competitors to native fauna.  The basking behaviour of the slider may impact nesting water birds: if nests get pushed into the water, eggs are killed.  Red-eared sliders are also known to be carriers of Salmonella bacteria.  Given its longevity (up to 40 years) as well as invasive and destructive history, imports of T. scripta elegans into the European Union have been banned. 

Alien Invasive Green Iguana; a Threat to Iyanola, St. Lucia’s Iguana

By: Jeanette Victor

Forestry Department

An iguana is an iguana is an iguana! Some say but that is not the case!

Although the invasive iguana located in the Soufriere area has similarities with our unique St. Lucia iguana found at the North East coast; there are marked differences. 

Similarities between St. Lucia Iguana and Alien Invasive Iguana

v  Both iguanas are known scientifically as Iguana iguana having the same local name The Green Iguana.

v  Their offspring are bright green.

v  They feed on the same umbrella vine known as lyenn dous.

v  Their defense mechanism is lashing their opponents with their long hard tail.

v  They both are tree lovers and are able to conceal themselves in the tress.

 v  The nesting period is from February to May.

Differences between the St. Lucia Iguana and Alien Invasive Iguana

Characteristics of the St. Lucia Iguana:

v  Found along the North East Coast of the island; Louvette and Grand Anse.

v  Adults are light green with predominant black stripes.

v   Adult males have a piece of black skin hanging from their neck which is called a dewlap that could be inflated to attract females during courtship.

v  The female lays 25 eggs in one clutch

v  Scales to the back of their head near the jawbone is smaller.

v  Their iris is white or cream

Characteristics of the Alien Invasive Iguana

v  Occupies the west coast (Soufriere) of the island and was brought to the island by individuals as pets from Canada.

v  Adults color remains the same bright green as the young ones.

v  Adult males have a bright orange dewlap.

v  Females lay more than 50 eggs in one clutch. Larger scales to the back of the jawbone.

Threats to our Native Iguana by the Invasive Alien Iguana?

Oh Yes! 

Here are a few of the threats that may arise

v  Loss of our unique iguana if it happens to cross- breed with the alien iguana.

v  Extinction of our native iguana through competition for habitat and food.

v  Future generations may be robbed of the history of our island never knowing our native iguana.

Let’s all play our part and educate one another to help in the eradication of this Alien Invasive Iguana before it’s too late!

Map showing location of Native and Alien Invasive Iguanas

Pigs Gone Wild; A Real Nuisance!!

By: Alwin Dornelly

Forestry Department

Feral or wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are described world-wide as one of the worst invasive species and are considered to be an enormous liability to natural ecosystems, biodiversity, agricultural production and human health. They compete directly with native fauna, and have even caused the extinction of some of those species.

Their omnivorous diet and their burrowing habits contributes to altering forest processes, reducing the growth of native plants, and consequently paving the way for the introduction of invasive plants. Feral pigs are especially attracted to waterlogged and riparian habitats, and so alter the structure and functioning of important water courses. Feral pigs also cause significant damage to agricultural crops and livestock, directly resulting in the loss of several million dollars in revenue to national economies.  Furthermore, they are known to act as vectors and reservoirs for a number of livestock and human diseases, both exotic and indigenous.

In Saint Lucia, the Forestry Department is growing increasingly concerned about the activities of feral pigs in the Government Forest Reserve and adjacent private lands. Several reports from the public and direct observations from department staff have shown that feral pig activities are increasing and causing damage to the natural vegetation and wildlife found within St. Lucia’s rainforest. Feral pig activity, seen near important water courses such as rivers and streams, may be contaminating our water sources.  The situation may be worsened by their reported presence on private lands and other areas adjacent to the Forest Reserve, significantly contributing to economic damage to private farms.

How did these pigs get into Saint Lucia’s forest in the first place?  Pigs are native to Europe and continental Asia, as far south and east as the Malaysian Peninsular, as well as to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. It is generally believed that domestic pigs were introduced to the West Indies during the voyages of Christopher Columbus in the 1400s, and that there was a subsequent spread to other islands, which he did not visit. Pigs have been farmed in Saint Lucia ever since colonial times, right up to the present, where they have proliferated, escaped through negligence or otherwise, and in some cases have become pests. Many farmers have perhaps allowed their pigs to forage freely in adjacent areas and were not successful in re-capturing them. Some of those pigs strayed into the forest areas and over several generations have survived there.

The effort required to eradicate (completely remove) feral pigs may be too expensive. What is needed is a sustainable management method, where population size is kept at a minimum threshold minimizing the damage caused by wild pigs. The Forestry Department has been challenged in organizing the known pig hunters on the island into organized community groups and training them in newer methods of entrapment than the traditional method of using dogs and guns. Most hunters do not own a licensed gun. They mostly form hunting expeditions with someone who owns a licensed gun.

Any response by the Forestry Department at solving the problem must take on a strategic and coordinated approach and must involve all stakeholders. Efforts must be sustained over time through adequate funding, adequate monitoring, and actions taken must be evaluated. This will ensure that desired results are achieved.

The task is great but we must continue to forge ahead in order to mitigate the damage caused to our forest ecosystem, waterways and farms by these feral pigs!

ALIEN INVASIONS - Lionfish

Allena A. Joseph

Department of Fisheries

Colorful tropical fish are fun to watch in an aquarium or a home fish tank. But what happens when exotic fish are released into the wild?  Most often these fish survive and start taking over the sea. One such example is the Lionfish- an invasive alien species that may soon threaten our St Lucian waters as it comes down to our seas in ocean currents.

The Lionfish, known scientifically as Pterois volitans, is hard to miss with its red and white stripes and long venomous spines. This fish is native to the tropical Indian and Pacific region from Japan to Australia.  Officials and scientists believe that the lionfish was introduced into the Atlantic Ocean in 1992 after escaping from an aquarium in Florida in the wake of Hurricane Andrew.  Since then the Lionfish have made our Caribbean waters their home and confirmed sightings have been on the rise since 2004.

The Lionfish traveled to the Bahamas over ten years ago, but it was not until 2004 that reports of the sightings were confirmed. The number of Lionfish sighted has increased significantly as the population spreads across the Caribbean region. Lionfish have been observed all over the Bahamian archipelago, including the Turks and Caicos Islands. These alien fish have found their way to as far south as Bonaire where the first confirmed report was on October 26^th 2009.  Since then, approximately 60 lionfish sightings have been reported in Bonaire.  Also increasing numbers of lionfish have been sighted in neighboring Dominica, St. Kitts Nevis, Antigua and more recently Martinique!

Lionfish are a threat to our already stressed marine ecosystem.  They have a BIG appetite and feed on all the fish found on our coral reefs. Lionfish are able to grow and reproduce faster than native species like our snapper or pot fish.  There are few fish that can eat the Lionfish; therefore their population keeps growing much faster than that of other fish.  Because of this, they can pose a serious threat to native fish, their habitat, coral reefs and overall ecosystem function. They feed on many of our important fish species.  They eat young snapper, grunt and grouper species, leaving none behind to reproduce to support the fishery that is important for food here in Saint Lucia.

Lionfish are also harmful to humans with its venomous spines and pose a threat to sea bathers, divers and fishers. The lionfish spines release a venomous sting that is fatal to its prey and can be very painful and dangerous to humans.  A lionfish sting is very unpleasant and can make a person quite sick.  Its painful sting can cause a wide range of symptoms from bellyache and swelling to chest pain and seizures.  If you or someone you know is stung by a lionfish there are steps you can take to reduce the effects of the sting.  

Once the Lionfish invades the marine environment they are here to stay.  There is no way to completely get rid of them from our waters. However, every Saint Lucian can play a part to help control this invasion by staying informed and following proper guidelines. Together we can protect our fisheries from the harmful effects of the lionfish.  Let us all do our part! And be prepared for the invasion.

One could say that it was just a matter of time till the invasive Pacific Lionfish was spotted in St. Lucia's waters. It was spotted at the Honeymoon Reef by a visitor on a dive with Sandals Dive Center   at the end of October and an official response on this serious Fisheries matter has been made by the Fisheries Department.

  If you spot a lionfish do not touch it.  Report ALL Lionfish sightings to the Department of Fisheries at telephone number (758) 468-4140/43 or the Marine Police at (758) 456- 3870 or the Soufriere Marine Management Association at (758) 459- 5500. 

Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

Article by: The Forestry Department

According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) 2009, “Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are plants, animals, pathogens and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health”. Invasive alien species are introduced accidentally or intentionally by human or their activities.

Invasive species negatively impact on a country’s unique biodiversity by reducing species abundance and diversity and are capable of causing extinctions of native plants and animals by competing with native organisms for limited resources, forcing native species to decline in population or disappear from their natural environment. IAS tends to be highly adaptive and can live in a wide range of environments and they are also highly competitive and very successful at reproducing. IAS negatively impact on the resources that humans need for survival such as food, clean water and shelter; these species carry diseases and can directly harm humans and also impact the species humans depend on for livelihood such as farm animals and crops.

The spread of IAS is already creating a complex challenge that threatens the natural biological riches of the earth and the well being of our people. In the Caribbean for example, many of the unique plants and animals are amongst the most endangered in the world mainly because of the size of most of the islands which means that the total population size of these species are naturally small and make them especially vulnerable to any disturbance. While this problem is global, the nature and severity of the impacts on the society, economic life and health are unequally distributed across nations and regions and for this reason decision makers must give awareness raising and education regarding IAS high priority in their action plans.

There are a number of steps that can be taken depending on the invasive situation such as:

Prevention: such as keeping species out or exclusion by quarantine.

Eradication: once the species has reached the island, the next best option is to eradicate; this reduces the pest impact and the cost of managing the pest.

Containment or exclusion means preventing the pest from spreading out of or into a defined area. This can be used to keep important (but invasive) crop species from escaping from farmland, or to keep invasive from spreading into nature reserves or other natural areas.

Site-specific control means keeping the pest’s population below a certain level in defined areas, such as reserves or other natural areas.

Biological control means introducing a natural enemy of the pest, such as a predator or disease of it, to control its population; properly researched bio-control using carefully selected agents that attack only the target species and nothing else can sometimes bring serious pests under control without causing additional problems.