Litter, debris and brush have been removed from the La Reine Fish Market on St. Croix with the comprehensive cleanup being the first phase in the rehabilitation process, according to a press release issued Monday by Senate President Kenneth Gittens.
Thanks go to the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Department of Public Works, Virgin Islands Fire Service and Bates Trucking for their efforts in cleaning out the market area. The project launched last month with trash removal and cleaning, which continued as recent as this past weekend.
“It was a real collaborative effort. They brought in a bulldozer to remove debris and the Fire Service brought in their pump trucks to hose down the concrete,” Gittens said. The neglected fish market has not been actively used in more than five years. Little had been done to prevent the deterioration of the fish market, which sustained further damage during hurricanes Irma and Maria and had become littered with trash.
Gittens visited the La Reine Fish Market last month for a site inspection with DPNR Commissioner Nominee Jean-Pierre Oriol. He revisited the area again this past Sunday along with DPNR Enforcement Director Howard Forbes and Deputy Fire Chief Paul Christian.
The DPNR Commissioner Nominee Jean-Pierre Oriol was able to determine that significant funds for repairs remain unexpended and that the government has the resources to address the longstanding plumbing and structural issues.
“I thank Commissioner Nominee Oriol for following through and ensuring that the fish market was cleaned up as it had really become an eyesore. As I have said, creating a safe and sanitary place for fishermen to clean and sell their catch is crucial to sustaining the local fishing industry and preserving our long-standing cultural traditions,” said the senator.
Senator Gittens urged residents to acknowledge the cleaning up of the area and encouraged them to do their part to help the government keep the La Reine Fish Market area clean.
