By Kisean Joseph
Beach safety officials in Antigua and Barbuda are raising alarm over continued illegal sand mining activities, emphasizing that even small-scale removal of beach sand poses significant environmental risks, and is prohibited by law.
Elroy Daley, Manager of the Beach Safety and Security Unit (BSSU), highlighted growing concerns about residents collecting sand from the nation’s beaches, even in small quantities.
“Another issue we’re having is sand mining. Persons who would think that, oh it’s okay for me to just take a bucket and, you know, I need two five-gallon buckets. That is also illegal,” Daley said in an interview with Observer media.
Sand mining, regardless of scale, requires official authorization from multiple government entities. “In order for you to take even a bucket of sand, you need that permission from the Director of Public Works,” Daley said, adding that “The Environment Division has to be involved, and the Director of Public Works has to be involved if they take even a bucket of sand.”
Success stories like Jabberwock Beach demonstrate the importance of maintaining natural beach environments. “If we look at Jabberwock Beach, we would see how those areas are fully protected. We see how it’s practically overgrown and, again, it protects the beach. It stops the water from coming into the road,” Daley said.
The BSSU official emphasized the direct connection between sand mining and beach erosion, stating, “The less you take the sand, it is better for the beach. It stops beach erosion.” This relationship between sand preservation and coastal protection is crucial for maintaining the integrity of Antigua’s shoreline and natural beach environments.
The warning comes as part of broader efforts to educate the public about environmental protection and beach conservation. Officials are working to dispel the common misconception that small-scale sand collection is harmless or permissible. Daley made the legal situation clear: “Sand mining, I want to say clearly, is illegal in Antigua and Barbuda.”
The issue of illegal sand mining affects many Caribbean nations, where beach sand is sometimes collected for construction purposes or personal use. However, this practice can have severe consequences for coastal ecosystems and infrastructure. Beach erosion not only threatens the natural environment, but can also impact tourism, one of the region’s primary economic drivers.
The BSSU and Environment Division continue to monitor the situation and enforce regulations to protect Antigua and Barbuda’s valuable coastal resources.
