Mister Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to address this Honourable House with a very important issue in our environment which is critical for the protection of our Territory in more ways than one; that of the protection of our coral reefs.

The Virgin Islands joins with many countries throughout the world in the observance of World Environment Day.  Started in 1974, World Environment Day represents a call to action to conserve the natural, precious assets that comprise the animals, plants and other species which share this earth with humans.

The Environmental Health Division will begin fogging operations in the East End, Long Look and Greenland areas of Tortola on April 28.

The Territory’s ability to track the health of plants, the presence of invasive species and other key environmental indicators will be improved as a result of a partnership between the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration and the UK firm Environment Systems Ltd.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Dr. Marcia Potter has said that the time has come for the region to agree to cooperate to address the most recent threat of the Sargassum Seaweed.

The public is notified that the Beach Use Policy Community Meeting that was scheduled to be held on Anegada today at 1:00 p.m. has been postponed. Information on the new date for the meeting will be forthcoming in the near future.

The Government of the Virgin Islands will be holding a series of community meetings as it seeks the public’s feedback on the recently drafted Beach Use Policy.

The Cabinet of the Virgin Islands has approved the Green Paper on the Proposed Environmental Management and Climate Adaptation Bill and is now available to the public for perusal.

Food vendors participating in the Buju Banton Weekend festivities are being urged to attend a Food Handlers Session on Thursday, June 13 on Tortola at the Ward’s Building at 9:00 a.m.

The public is hereby notified that effective July 1, 2019, the ‘Willy T’ floating restaurant and bar will be relocated to its original location anchored off The Bight near Norman Island, following a decision by the Government of the Virgin Islands.