THE SUSTAINABLE GRENADINES PROJECT - The University of ...

1 INTRODUCTION
There is a lot of information available on the Grenadines Islands, which range from Isla Ronde in the South to
Bequia in the North. This information covers many aspects of the Grenadines such as the economic, social and
environmental issues which affect its people. However, the enormous potential of these studies, as a collection, has not
been realized. The output has been made available at different times and sources and varies greatly in its quality and scope.
As a result though the information exists, the time and effort which must be invested into obtaining it, is often an effective
deterrent to doing so.
This document provides an inventory and review of some of the environmental, social and economic information that can
be found on the Grenadines. It is hoped that it will be useful to Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), community
members, and any other parties with any active interest in the area. This inventory is not considered to be complete as it has
been based on what has become available, rather than on a systematic bibliographic search.
2 ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Adams, J.E. 1970a. Conch fishing industry of Union Island, Grenadines, West Indies. Trop. Sci., 12: 279-288.
Since the late 1950s conch (Strombus gigas) fishing in Union Island had increased in importance to become the island's
chief source of income in 1966. Conchs were found primarily between 2 to 9 fathoms of water on turtle grass (Thalassia
testudinum) and manatee grass (Cymodocea manatorium) beds. The main gathering grounds on the south Grenada Bank are
illustrated in the book. Details of the boats, effects of weather, transport and marketing, and earnings are given. Conchs
were exported to Grenada and to Trinidad and although boats were not yet mechanized, over-exploitation was already
evident at this point in time.
Adams, J.E. 1970b. Marine industries of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines, West Indies Ph.D. Thesis, Univ.
Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Not seen.
Adams, J.E. 1971. Historical geography of whaling in Bequia Island, West Indies. Caribb. 1971 Stud., 11(3): 55-74.
Through most of the 19th century American whaling vessels took whales in the Windward Islands, primarily humpbacks.
These activities declined sharply after 1870. Locally, whaling remained important well into the first two decades of the 20th
century. Details of the boats, the hunt, regulations, and the actual processing are given by the author.
Adams, J.E. 1972a. The lobster fishing industry of Mt. Pleasant, Bequia Island, West Indies. Proceedings of the Gulf
and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, 24:126-133.*
The development of lobster fishing in Bequia, which intensified after about 1950, is described. Lobsters (Panulirus argus)
were harvested by divers with spear guns and wire snares and transported live or chilled to Martinique until 1959; then to
Grenada. In 1954 and 1965 respectively St. Vincent and Grenada regulated lobster fishing by 1) imposing a minimum total
body length of 9 inches, 2) banning the capture of females with eggs, and 3) declaring a closed season from May 1 to
September 30th. However, there was no limit on the number of legal-sized lobsters that could be caught in open season.
Four divers working steadily over 7 days could catch as much as 3,000 lb. (2,000 individuals). However, the average catch
was usually no more than half this amount. By 1964 lobster stocks on the Grenada Bank appeared to have been depleted
and could no longer support the scale of fishery which had developed.
Adams J. E. 1972b. Maritime industry of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. American Neptune, 32: 180-194.
Not seen.
Adams J. E. 1972c. Shore whaling in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Caribbean Quarterly, 19(December 1973): 42-
50.
Not seen.
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