Dear Source:
"Most are older people who want to have Christmas Cove for themselves," he said.
Gee, I must be one of those selfish old fogies (as described by Mr. Parsons of WT Enterprises…hmmm…WT Enterprises?) to feel extreme repugnance about the details leading to the ultimate and certain death of Christmas Cove. If memory serves me correctly, I first saw this lovely place in 1992.
But you know what advanced age can do to memory…However, once having seen that lovely cove, with it's countless turtles placidly feeding on the sea grasses, accompanied by acres of shy garden eels poking their heads up to feed on the fast moving plankton drifting by in the considerable current, the myriad colorful fish species working all over Fish Cay, the graceful Eagle Rays "flying" over the rises, why, all of this convinced me that I must make these waters my home. So I did. And then, my business.
You see, I was for many years, one of those offensive charter boats operating with professional crew. And yes, occasionally, there were some old fogies onboard…but more time than not, young people, well, those under 50, who took such delight in this pristine place. Made them want to come back again and again. And they did.
And then, the happy years passed with countless Green Flashes spotted from our anchored charter boat. Yes, Virginia, there really are Green Flashes always best viewed in a setting of peace and tranquility in one of the few places aligned just about right to see them, Christmas Cove…often punctuated by those Eagle Rays jumping just for the fun of it seemed like. And a perfect place to time how long a turtle can stay under water.
And then more years passed.
Visits to Christmas Cove became disturbing. The garbage on the beach left by thoughtless revelers, a large seasonal passenger vessel frequently dropping anchor well away from the anchoring site, then plowing forward, hook down, right through the lovely field of Garden Eels. If this weren't bad enough, around 250 passengers were then disgorged into this lovely place. There was no one accompanying them to say, "Please, do not stand on the coral", "Please be careful of those sea urchins…they clean the reef" as there is on professionally crewed charter yachts. It was "Have at it, people!…bar's open when you're finished". And I could go on at the risk of being accused of rambling.
Each snorkel around Fish Cay became a bit more alarming as the multi-species were quickly reduced to just a few. The turtle numbers plummeted. My turtle-promises to my guests stopped. Had to. Would be lucky to see even one. And the Garden Eels, can't find any now. This all happened within a few years time…
So, call this geezer "selfish", but if the fishes and turtles could speak so we could understand, I think they might agree with me. I speak for them and for the eager visitors to our fair islands' waters, already under siege from not-so-hot travel articles easily accessed on the Web. And the last thing I would want is to have Christmas Cove "all to myself". But I'd like to choose my companions…Probably would favor those with fins, flippers and feathers.
We better think long and hard about this one, folks. Turning back from such a catastrophic incursion is possible, but any geezer won't live long enough to see it. Seems the definition of a "marine sanctuary" needs some re-writing.
PS, make sure you eliminate those dangerous Manchaneel trees near the old salt pond, too. Wouldn't be good for the tourists visiting what no doubt is the next part of the sinister plan. A nice little resort…
Margo Rose
St. Thomas
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