The British Virgin Islands (BVI)
International Year of Biodiversity Projects
In 2010, for the International Year of Biodiversity, the UK
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), has
funded a series of invasive species projects across the UK Overseas
Territories. This has been coordinated by the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee. Project activities on the British
Virgin Islands will be:
Lion fish control
- Training of key personnel at a training
facility on the biology, behaviour, capture and mitigation
techniques for lionfish
- Travel and subsistence costs
for training. Effective training in capture techniques at a
location where lionfish are prevalent
- Purchase of capture
equipment stock (nets, gloves, bags, weights, markers,
etc)
- Introduction workshop.
Educational 1 day workshops for Government, media houses, local
fisherman, dive operators, charter companies and general public on
lionfish (ecology, mitigation measures, etc)
- Public awareness.
Information brochures, signage, Public service announcements about
lionfish
British Virgin Islands Facts and
Figures.
Location
Adjacent to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) and 96 km east of
Puerto Rico
Size
The BVI comprise more than 60 islands, islets and cays (some
little more than rocks). A total land area of only 153 sq km
scattered over some 3,458 sq km of sea.
Climate and Climate Change.
A tropical climate moderated by trade winds.JNCC has prepared a
series of outreach materials which give a general background to
climate change and includes territory specific information
on
climate change impacts
.
Topography
Most of the islands are hilly with steep slopes, having been
formed from formerly submerged volcanoes. Many of the islands have
lush vegetation, sandy beaches, and coral reefs.
Biodiversity
The islands support a number of endemic and threatened species
of international importance, such as the critically endangered
endemic Anegada rock iguana (Cyclura pinguis). The BVI also possess
a number of globally significant plant species, some of which occur
only on Anegada, such as Pokemeboy (Acacia anegadensis) and
Wirewist (Metastelma anegadense).
Main economic activities
The major industries are tourism and international financial
services.
Other information
Population - 27,000 (2005 estimate).
Information links