Anguilla

Anguilla Anguilla, along with the British Virgin Islands and Montserrat, is a United Kingdom Overseas Territory. They form part of the nation state of the United Kingdom (UK) but are not represented in the UK parliament; instead they have an independent elected government. The UK is responsible for defense and international relations and has some say in legislation. [1] A low island of 90 sq km, Anguilla has several uninhabited islets-including Dog Island, Scrub Island, Sombrero Island, and the Prickly Pear Cays-as part of its territory. The island is sheltered by extensive reefs off the north coast and by fringing reefs along most of the south coast. [2] While the reefs are considered important, they are poorly documented. [3] Shallow, sheltered habitats support large areas of seagrasses. Beaches are one of Anguilla’s most important attractions. According to the Reefs at Risk analysis, all of Anguilla’s reefs are threatened by human activities. The most pervasive threats are overfishing and coastal development threatening 100 percent and 67 percent of reefs, respectively. Neither marine-based pollution nor sedimentation show any threat to reefs. Tourism development has been significant over the last few decades, but with little direct impact. [4] The many visitors result in anchor damage and breakage of shallow corals by snorkellers. [5] Dog Island (northwest) reefs are almost pristine, and visitors are discouraged. [6] Tropical storms and hurricanes are common causes of natural disturbance in this region. But after Hurricane Donna in 1960, almost four decades passed without a severe hurricane until Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn struck only a week or so apart in 1995. Hurricane Luis caused extensive damage to Acropora palmata in shallow water. [7] In November 1999, Hurricane Lenny passed very close to Anguilla and caused extensive erosion and sedimentation. [8] The effect on the reefs is undocumented. Anguilla has five marine protected areas/marine parks (MPA); Dog Island, Prickly Pear Cays, Little Bay, Shoal Bay/Island Harbour and Sandy Island. These were designated under the Marine Parks Ordinance in 1982, but were not managed until the Marine Parks Regulations came into force in December 1993. Management responsibility for the MPAs falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources in the Chief Minister’s Office. [9] The future of the marine environment is relatively good as the territory is wealthy, reducing the pressure on marine resources that occurs from subsistence use. Anguilla’s economic well-being depends on the two markets of tourism and financial services. [10] [1] F. Gail & M. Watson, “UK Overseas Territories in the northeast Caribbean: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat” in Seas at the Millennium: An Environmental Evaluation. Vol 1 Regional Chapters: Europe, The Americas and West Africa. C.R.C. Sheppard, ed. (Oxford, UK: Elsevier Press, 2000), p. 616 [2] F. Homer. 2003. “Building political commitment for financing marine protected areas.” Paper prepared for the 2nd International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium (ITMEMS 2), Manilla, Philippines. March 24-27, 2003. Theme 09. [3] M. Spalding et al., World Atlas of Coral Reefs (Berkeley, California: University of California Press and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, 2001), p. 158 [4] M. Spalding et al., World Atlas of Coral Reefs (Berkeley, California: University of California Press and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, 2001), p. 158 [5] A. Smith et al., “Status of coral reefs in the Lesser Antilles, Western Atlantic,” in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 1998 . C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1998), p.138 [6] M. Spalding et al., World Atlas of Coral Reefs (Berkeley, California: University of California Press and UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center, 2001), p. 158 [7] A. Smith et al., “Status of coral reefs in the Lesser Antilles, Western Atlantic,” in Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 1998 . C. Wilkinson, ed. (Townsville: Australian Institute of Marine Science, 1998), p.138 [8] F. Gail & M. Watson, “UK Overseas Territories in the northeast Caribbean: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat” in Seas at the Millennium: An Environmental Evaluation. Vol 1 Regional Chapters: Europe, The Americas and West Africa. C.R.C. Sheppard, ed. (Oxford, UK: Elsevier Press, 2000), p. 622 [9] F. Homer. 2003. “Building political commitment for financing marine protected areas.” Paper prepared for the 2nd International Tropical Marine Ecosystems Management Symposium (ITMEMS 2), Manilla, Philippines. March 24-27, 2003. Theme 09. [10] F. Gail & M. Watson, “UK Overseas Territories in the northeast Caribbean: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat” in Seas at the Millennium: An Environmental Evaluation. Vol 1 Regional Chapters: Europe, The Americas and West Africa. C.R.C. Sheppard, ed. (Oxford, UK: Elsevier Press, 2000), p. 625