Authorities order Shell Beach closed over floods, erosion

Apr 23, 2017 News

Authorities have ordered the Shell Beach Protected Area closed due to major floods

Authorities have ordered Shell Beach closed because of flooding and heavy coastal erosion.

in recent months.
The Region One area is fiercely protected by conservationists but in recent times has been fighting erosion.
This past week, the Protected Areas Commission (PAC) in a letter to Indranath Haralsingh, Director of the Guyana Tourism Association (GTA) did not specify when the area would be opened again.
“The Protected Areas Commission regrets to inform you that Shell Beach Protected Area is currently closed to all tourism activity until further notice.
PAC commissioner (ag), Denise Fraser, disclosed that there is severe ongoing coastal erosion and instances of flooding, threatening the guest house at Almond Beach.
“Efforts are being made to acquire funding to relocate and secure the guest house and you will be informed as soon as it is re-opened for tourism.”
Earlier this year, Aubrey James, Warden of the protected area, described the flooding as one of worst in years for the area.

Flooding in the Shell Beach area earlier this year.

Shell Beach, located on the Atlantic coast of Guyana in the Barima-Waini region, near the Venezuelan border, is a popular nesting site for four of the eight sea turtle species and was named as a protected area. Shell Beach extends for approximately 145 km.
However, it appears that times are changing and several families, who reside in the area, were forced to move elsewhere in recent years.
According to James, about nine of the 40 families had remained in the beach area, assisting with conservation work, among other things.
”This flooding is one of the worst in years. Families are seriously thinking about moving to safer ground.”
Turtles used to be slaughtered for their meat and eggs but are now part of a non-governmental conservation programme called the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS), founded by recognized conservationist Dr. Peter Pritchard and Romeo De Freitas.

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