A sand truck that capsized along the Grand Anse beach on Friday, November 14, was reportedly transporting sand illegally.
The Grande Anse Sea Turtle Conservation Network plans to step up its education and awareness campaign, aimed at bringing an end to illegal sand mining in St. Lucia.
Public Relations Officer of the conservation group, Alicia Valasse, told St. Lucia News Online (SNO) today that steps have been taken to educate communities on the issue.
The group has also contracted Luigi St. Omer, to paint a mural in the bus shelter at Des Barras. St. Omer is working alongside aspiring visual artists in Des Barras, to complete the project.
The activity is part of public sensitization initiatives in the community of Babonneau. The group plans to produce the same in the community of Garrand.
A mural at the bus shelter in Des Barras.
Valasse said the mural is being sponsored by the Caribbean Aqua-Terrestrial Solutions (CATS) – an agency which has sponsored numerous initiatives for the group.
“We are trying to sensitize the public as much as possible, about the dangers of sand mining…we are going to host community meetings. We intend to go to the schools with our campaign also,” she told SNO.
However, Valasse said the group would like to encourage persons who come across any illegal sand mining, to report it to the nearest police station.
She said a recent article that was published on SNO, led the police to arrest one of the perpetrators engaged in illegal sand mining in Grand Anse. He was fined EC$700.
Valasse told SNO that while it was commendable that the individual was fined, she believes that there should be stricter penalties for these crimes. This she said could discourage people from stealing sand from the beaches.
Meanwhile, apart from spreading awareness, the group has employed nearly 25 individuals in the programme. These individuals come from Des Barras, Garrand, Fond Assau and Chassin.
The group is working with marine biologist Dr. Marie -Louise Felix and CATS to implement these new initiatives.
