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of the swamp. However the mangroves and the wildlife that they support are considered to be at high risk of dying in the very near future due to: the increasing dilution of the brackish water by fresh-water run-off, the deliberate dumping of raw sewage into the swamp by the government's South Coast
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just south of the airport. Over the years all of the swamps have been filled in for commercial development killing all of the wildlife that depended upon them. When St. Lawrence Gap was similarly developed for tourism this destruction included filling in the very last duck shooting swamps that were
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which was a popular tourist attraction until about 2006. However, due to an ongoing dispute between the owner and the
Barbados government over uncontrolled pollution, allegedly from bordering government-owned land, it has been closed to the public. Since about 2008 it has increasingly suffered from
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In April 2010 a major scientific survey was carried out on the sanctuary grounds, the swamp, and the adverse factors affecting the health of the mangroves and wild-life that they support. The report was scathing about the
Barbados government's almost total lack of action in controlling the issues
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With regards to the St. Vincent parrots: this small population is at very high risk indeed. This is due to the lethargy of the
Barbados government in not working with the St. Vincent government and the owner of the Graham Hall Sanctuary to move the birds to an off-shore island or even back to St.
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However soon afterwards the sanctuary, including the lakeside paths, aviaries, and gardens were closed to the public by the owner. He and the
Barbados government have been in dispute ever since. The issues and reasons appear to be many and varied but summarise to:
324:"No private investment in a nature reserve can possibly withstand such external forces. Ultimately, environmental protections for multiple generations must stem from government leadership, whose environmental policies must be based in sound science, not politics."
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However, since at least 2006 the public has been stopped from visiting the inner grounds. Only occasionally are the public admitted into the outer grounds albeit on condition of a purchase from the small cafe that is sometimes open at the entrance.
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connected to the Graeme Hall Swamp. This is the last significant mangrove swamp in
Barbados, and its international importance as a reserve and as a staging post for thousands of migratory birds was recognised by it being declared a
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Then in July 2006, plans by a major developer began circulating around
Barbados to construct a theme-park named Caribbean Splash Waterpark in proximity to the Graeme Hall Swamp, but the plan was vetoed by the Barbados government.
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resulting in one dying, and to poach the crabs and fish in the swamp. When the latter has occurred the local police have been reported as having refused to respond and the thieves allowed to keep their illegal catches.
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the government's deliberate blockage of the sluice gate which would allow sea-water to replenish the brackish waters of the swamp - necessary to allow the mangroves to flourish; instead they are slowly
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rest here each year and formal bird shooting no longer occurs at this site, although it is suspected that illegal shooting may still take place. A great attraction of the swamp is the return of white
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327:"The Study conclusions are clear. Once the mangrove forest dies, freshwater organisms will compete with and dominate any fledgling mangrove system trying to restore itself."
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330:"If the government of Barbados does nothing to study and correct the situation using sound science, the disappearance of the mangrove forest is all but assured."
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reported that even the mains water supply to the grounds, aviaries and cafe had been cut off, the supply pipe apparently having been deliberately sawn apart.
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With what is evidently active opposition from the
Barbados government towards its preservation the future of the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary and the
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In the early 2000s visitor facilities were planned to include catering, a souvenir shop, information boards, written guides, and an education room.
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that nothing had been done by the
Barbados government to address the issues raised; and the swamp and mangroves continue to die.
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So in 2014 the inner grounds are now firmly gated and closed. The aviaries are even nailed shut. And in the last few years the
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the deliberate dumping of raw sewage into the wetland instead of the sea by the government's South Coast Sewage
Treatment Plant
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The government channel and sluice - that has been deliberately closed and damned to stop the sea from replenishing the swamp.
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the contaminated storm water run-off originating from the surrounding 1,150 acres of government-managed drainage systems
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the increasing rain water run-off contaminated by pollutants from the adjoining commercial and residential properties
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The government sluice - that has been deliberately closed and damned to stop the sea from replenishing the swamp.
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each evening to nest. And at night numerous bats swarm over the surrounding area feeding upon flying insects.
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has reported that locals have been breaking into the grounds and aviaries with the attempted theft of the
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Relocation of
Endangered Parrots From Graham Hall Sanctuary Delayed by Barbados Ministry of Environment
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Relocation of Endangered Parrots From Graham Hall Sanctuary Delayed by Barbados Ministry of Environment
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From the Wayback Machine - captured on Feb 10, 2012. Includes many documents referring to the closure.
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the deliberate cutting off of the sanctuary's water supply as reported by the Barbados Free Press, and
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Sewage Treatment Plant, and the deliberate blocking off of the sea-water sluice at Worthing Beach.
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In April 2010, intruders allegedly killed large numbers of crabs, and caused the deaths of a rare
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The sanctuary also includes a collection of captive birds in aviaries, including the very rare
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raised. The report included a 10-year plan for recovery, yet in 2014 it was reported by the
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trapped in the swamp when the sluice was blocked off, as well as a smaller fish similar to
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MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT - GRAEME HALL NATURE SANCTUARY - BARBADOS - April 30, 2010
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MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT - GRAEME HALL NATURE SANCTUARY - BARBADOS - April 30, 2010
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As of 2014 it was the last example of the numerous coastal swamps which once dotted the
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also flourish in the waterlogged ground. The lake contains large fish such as
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This small population of endangered parrots is unlikely to survive due to:
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there being little or no support from the local police when raids do occur
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by locals about which the local police are reportedly doing nothing.
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Two species of mangroves occur in the area, red mangrove (
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So many articles at the redoubtable Barbados Free Press
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recent increased raids and poaching at the sanctuary,
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407:Police Again Fail To Uphold Law At Graeme Hall
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440:Thoughts from Peter Allard - 2010
187:Currently (2014) many species of
571:Wildlife sanctuaries of Barbados
566:Important Bird Areas of Barbados
320:As Peter Allard stated in 2010:
80:Graeme Hall Sanctuary - Entrance
179:), both of which thrive in the
362:wetland is at very high risk.
249:Vincent for captive breeding.
150:on the northern west coast to
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466:Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary
237:), brilliantly red-coloured
115:. In late 2011 he was named
103:occupies 42 per cent of the
101:Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary
27:Eco-tourism site in Barbados
504:Map of the Graeme Hall area
107:wetland at Graeme Hall, in
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483:The Friends of Graeme Hall
477:The Friends of Graeme Hall
471:The Friends of Graeme Hall
479:From the Wayback Machine.
387:Sites Information Service
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561:Ramsar sites in Barbados
551:Christ Church, Barbados
146:coast of Barbados from
109:Christ Church, Barbados
173:) and white mangrove (
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527:13.07194°N 59.57778°W
176:Laguncularia racemosa
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451:Water Supply Cut Off
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532:13.07194; -59.57778
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380:"Graeme Hall Swamp"
352:St. Vincent parrots
336:Barbados Free Press
315:Barbados Free Press
203:, commonly kept in
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119:by the province of
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63:Reference no.
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170:Rhizophora mangle
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33:Designations
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235:St. Vincent
545:Categories
518:59°34′40″W
366:References
135:raids and
55:Designated
556:Mangroves
515:13°4′19″N
272:spoonbill
243:flamingos
159:wetland.
392:25 April
137:poaching
205:aquaria
201:mollies
163:Ecology
144:leeward
385:Ramsar
360:Ramsar
342:Future
224:egrets
191:-like
157:Ramsar
105:Ramsar
299:dying
193:sedge
394:2018
241:and
189:rush
130:, a
66:1591
348:BFP
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