Tobago Moves To Strengthen Marine Laws After Pigeon Point Tragedy
Today, April 23rd, Angelica Jogie should have been celebrating her eighth birthday. Instead, the country continues to mourn her young life tragically cut short three weeks ago in a jet ski accident at Pigeon Point, Tobago.
In a special sitting on Thursday, the Tobago House of Assembly Legislature updated the Tobago Marine Parks Bill. An update from the 2020 version, the Bill will be amalgamated into Section 29 of the current Tobago House of Assembly Act 40 of 1996, instead of being enacted as separate legislation.
Currently, the Tobago House of Assembly constitutionally lacks the ability to enforce laws, and according to Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, that became evident when operators were back on the water in Pigeon Point one week after the fatal jet ski incident.
“We installed the signs, we continue to publish and advertise and inform and educate the public, and yet we are asked to do so with our hands tied behind our backs, without any ability to even get the police to even come and cast a line.”
Mr. Augustine said if legislated, enforcement would not only be the responsibility of the police or coast guard.
“The fisheries department, lifeguards and marine park personnel, reef patrol officers, and they are to be determined based on regulations set by the Executive Council.”
Regulations would include separate areas for sea bathers and vessel operations, mandatory permits for all operators in the marine park, and insurance for vessels and tour operators, while jet skis and other personal watercraft would only be allowed under strict conditions.
“They must be permitted to transit, and when they do, they must operate at the lowest possible speed within what is now legally defined as a no-wake zone.”
The Chief Secretary said he anticipates backlash from reef tour operators but implored them to consider the bigger picture.
“A single reckless act on the water can actually undo years of marketing, years of brand building, years of trust. Who paying for that? Who paying for the marketing that must be done now to say that Tobago and Pigeon Point is safe?”
The Chief Secretary urged the Prime Minister and Attorney General to honour their commitment to the THA by bringing the Bill to Parliament within weeks.
