Environment

Ocean plastic is a growing disaster and tackling it has unprecedented support from consumers of all walks of life who are calling for business and government to take steps to significantly reduce plastic pollution and turn off the tap of plastic pollution.

DPNR is expected to receive $272,000 for the 2019 swimming season to implement the beach monitoring and notification program at 43 beaches throughout the territory: 20 beaches on St. Croix, 8 beaches on St. John, and 15 beaches on St. Thomas.

This highly selective graduate-level program has already placed fellows in American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The National Park Service (NPS) and the US Fish & Wildlife Service, along with the Puerto Rico Manatee Rescue team, are out on the water today searching for two manatees. The public is being asked to help.

The Forestry Division of the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture and the University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service are hosting a series of free educational seminars for tree care professionals and other interested persons.

DPNR performed water quality analysis at 17 designated beaches throughout the territory during the week of April 16-20, 2018. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing:

DPNR performed water quality analysis at 17 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of April 9-13, 2018. The following beaches meet water quality standards and are safe for swimming or fishing.

The 2018 Masters of Marine & Environmental Studies cohort at the University of the Virgin Islands has received notice that their video “Spread the Word, Not Halophila” is one of only 10 submissions to make it to the final round of the Ocean 180 Video Challenge.

DPNR did not conduct its weekly beach monitoring for the week of April 1-6, 2018; therefore, the water quality of these beaches is unknown.

• This closure begins at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 1, 2018, and extends through June 30, 2018.