Greetings,
I returned from this area last week and after reading this DR1 headline today,, wanted to share my impressions.
"Haitian forced takeover of Montecristi Park
The environmental prosecutor for the northwest, Ramon Aristides Arias described the depredation of Dominican scientific, forest and maritime reserves by illegal Haitian immigrants in the northwest as "alarming" and a "cause for great concern". He spoke of the devastation of fishing areas due to the use of banned fishing methods, destruction of coral reefs, the massacre of birds and collecting of birds' eggs, and takeover by force of Dominican cays by armed Haitian fishermen. In an interview with Listin Diario yesterday, he called for the authorities to take drastic measures to halt this environmental vandalism.
Maritime expert Roberto Llerena says that although there is an armed coastguard ship in Montecristi, it does not have fuel to patrol the area."
Monti Cristi is not a tourist town, but it could be. The coastline holds alot of natural beauty. The Rio Norte enters here forming a large estuary/bay and to the east there are several mangrove creeks where I saw black, red and white mangrove and some good birding to include Flamingo and Ibis. The area struck me as a sea kayakers paradise. There are several secluded beaches that looked very nice albeit not the sparkling white sand variety. The beach on the waterfront was a disaster. It was essentially a strip of sand clogged with plastic floatsam. I had good accomodations and ate some killer seafood. The area is famous for its' goat, which I enjoy but didn't sample.
To the topic. The captain who took me fishing declined to take me to Sieta Hermanos although he was very adamant in describing their beauty. When I asked about Haitianos he grinned sardonically and said, " Those people are very hungry". Needless to say, we fished well to the east towards Punta Rucia.
The captain confirmed the boobie predation and made mention of cyanide and explosives being used as a fishing tool. Made me want to cry. I know Mels Tours in Sosua has a contact in the area and offer tours to the Seven Brothers, perhaps they can lend some insight to the topic?
I should mention that while trolling, we spoted a large sea turtle and when the conversation turned to its' meat and eggs, both the captain and mate expressed, " Mi gusta".
I returned from this area last week and after reading this DR1 headline today,, wanted to share my impressions.
"Haitian forced takeover of Montecristi Park
The environmental prosecutor for the northwest, Ramon Aristides Arias described the depredation of Dominican scientific, forest and maritime reserves by illegal Haitian immigrants in the northwest as "alarming" and a "cause for great concern". He spoke of the devastation of fishing areas due to the use of banned fishing methods, destruction of coral reefs, the massacre of birds and collecting of birds' eggs, and takeover by force of Dominican cays by armed Haitian fishermen. In an interview with Listin Diario yesterday, he called for the authorities to take drastic measures to halt this environmental vandalism.
Maritime expert Roberto Llerena says that although there is an armed coastguard ship in Montecristi, it does not have fuel to patrol the area."
Monti Cristi is not a tourist town, but it could be. The coastline holds alot of natural beauty. The Rio Norte enters here forming a large estuary/bay and to the east there are several mangrove creeks where I saw black, red and white mangrove and some good birding to include Flamingo and Ibis. The area struck me as a sea kayakers paradise. There are several secluded beaches that looked very nice albeit not the sparkling white sand variety. The beach on the waterfront was a disaster. It was essentially a strip of sand clogged with plastic floatsam. I had good accomodations and ate some killer seafood. The area is famous for its' goat, which I enjoy but didn't sample.
To the topic. The captain who took me fishing declined to take me to Sieta Hermanos although he was very adamant in describing their beauty. When I asked about Haitianos he grinned sardonically and said, " Those people are very hungry". Needless to say, we fished well to the east towards Punta Rucia.
The captain confirmed the boobie predation and made mention of cyanide and explosives being used as a fishing tool. Made me want to cry. I know Mels Tours in Sosua has a contact in the area and offer tours to the Seven Brothers, perhaps they can lend some insight to the topic?
I should mention that while trolling, we spoted a large sea turtle and when the conversation turned to its' meat and eggs, both the captain and mate expressed, " Mi gusta".
irate: