The efforts to successfully have Redonda declared a protective area was a result of
the close collaboration between the government and the Environmental Awareness
Group (EAG), a leading Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in this space.
That was a central theme running through the remarks offered on Saturday at an
event held on the grounds of the Environmental Division to raise awareness of the
fact that the island has been designed as a protective area, and to generate interest
in the island.
“The newly established Redonda Eco-system Reserve combines 30,000 hectares of
land and sea. It encompasses the entire island, the surrounding sea-grass meadows,
and 180 kilometres of coral reefs. I started working with the EAG, ReWild, and
Fauna and Flora International to declare this area in 2016. There’s been much work
from the Environment Division, as well as other governmental agencies such as the
Fisheries Division and the Department of Marine Services. This is special because
it represents a collaborative effort between government and the NGOs,” attorney in
the Environment Division, Nneka Nicholas revealed.
She said this type of collaboration between states and the NGO community is key,
as it will serve as the basis for mankind to effectively deal with the challenges that
emerge as a result of climate change.
“The planet is at the cusp of a triple planetary crisis which combines climate
change, biodiversity loss, and pollution and the only way that mankind will be able
to surround these challenges is if we have collaboration,” she declared.
Speaking immediately after her was Information Minister, Melford Nicholas, who
echoed some of the sentiments about the need for collaboration between the
government and NGOs.
Minister Nicholas noted that whilst the move to have the designation started in
2009, it gathered momentum under the stewardship of Environment Minister, Sir
Molwyn Joseph in 2016.
“Recalling that in 2019 the EAG, along with the Department of Environment,
presented a plan for the designation of Redonda and its surrounding seas as a
protected area under the Environmental Protection and Management Act, and
through the efforts of many technicians within the Department of Environment, the
Redonda Ecosystem Reserve was officially declared as protected in August 2023
“When we protect things, we go big! The Redonda Ecosystem Reserve is the
largest protected area within the Eastern Caribbean to date spanning 30,000
hectares of land and sea, and that is roughly the size of Antigua alone!” he stated.
Minister Nicholas noted that conservation can never happen in a vacuum and must
be supported by multiple partners and people. “We, therefore, applaud the EAG for
reaching out to partners across the world to assist with the restoration efforts on
Redonda, and for the work ahead,” he remarked.
Executive Director of the EAG, Arika Hill spoke of some of the achievements of
the EAG over the years, including saving the Antiguan racer snake and turtles
through the offshore islands conservation programme.
The declaration of the Redonda Eco-system Reserve is however seen as one of its
most impactful achievements thus far.
