Update on Polluted Waters at Great Bay

[bandp407]

Thanks to all for your input on the beaches in SXM and info on the pollution in Great Bay .

Given the fact that Great Bay seems to fit the bill for our two upcoming port days in SXM I contacted the manager of the Nature Foundation of SXM . He has confirmed that the Nature Foundation & Environment Ministry have taken various steps in bringing the water quality above the standard. Follow up tests in Great Bay have shown the recorded levels to be 25% above EPA and local standards.

For Orient Beach,Mullet Bay, & Maho beach lovers, this will not matter. Hope this info will be helpful for those looking for another option.

[Karysa]

[quote name='bandp407']Thanks to all for your input on the beaches in SXM and info on the pollution in Great Bay .

Given the fact that Great Bay seems to fit the bill for our two upcoming port days in SXM I contacted the manager of the Nature Foundation of SXM . He has confirmed that the Nature Foundation & Environment Ministry have taken various steps in bringing the water quality above the standard. Follow up tests in Great Bay have shown the recorded levels to be 25% above EPA and local standards.

For Orient Beach,Mullet Bay, & Maho beach lovers, this will not matter. Hope this info will be helpful for those looking for another option.[/QUOTE]

I look very forward to reading the report. I applaud the Nature Foundation and their tenacity on this issue.

You are nice to post this as your 9 ship port day is going to make this beach pretty popular now with your fellow cruisers.:D

[caribsun]

Thanks for your research and information.

[gtaylor]

If Great Bay pollution has been improved upon, that is great news.

I'm just a bit confused by the "25% [B]above[/B] EPA and local standards" statement, as usually a higher number means worse conditions.

I also wonder why this has not been reported by the local media. I subscribe to the local paper, [URL="thedailyherald.com"]The Daily Herald[/URL], and didn't notice anything about this -- and I pay attention.

gary

[bandp407]

Gary -the information I posted was received directly from the manager at the Nature Foundation whom I e-mailed. He was very prompt with a reply so perhaps ask him for a copy of the report.