Species Benefiting From Restoration:
Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle)
Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans)
White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa)
Scleractinian coral (Diploria, Montastrea, Colpophyllia, Siderastrea)
Indirectly: approximately 80 fish species
Acres of Habitat To be Restored:
Approximately .55 acres or 900 linear feet of mangroves
Project Summary:
This project, located within VINP and VICRNM, will help
protect the most pristine mangroves in the Virgin Islands
from further damage from lines tied to mangrove roots and
trunks, and protect near shore coral from anchors placed
among coral heads and coral encrusted rocks, as vessels are
secured in Hurricane Hole during storms. By installing a
chain mooring system with berths for an additional 30
vessels, this completes the project, providing a safe
alternative to tying to mangroves and helps preserve the fish
nursery habitat that populates the reefs and near shore
waters to the east and south of St. John.
Project Objectives:
The overall objective of the project is to protect the
mangrove forests bordering Hurricane Hole, enabling them to
regenerate, grow and prosper. Specifically, this will be
achieved by reducing and hopefully eliminating the most
significant stress factor to the mangroves by providing a
safe and viable alternative for mariners to secure their
boats during hurricanes and other tropical storms.
To this end 96 storm berths have already been installed in
the four bays of Hurricane Hole during the previous phases of
this project. This final phase of the project will install
moorings in all of the remaining areas where installation of
the mooring system is feasible. The storm mooring
system has proved very popular with local boaters and the
facilities are fully subscribed during hurricane season.
Boaters appreciate that the mooring system is stronger than
the mangrove roots, trunks and branches used previously and
are much easier attach their boats to. They also appreciate
the administrative procedures that relieve some of the stress
in preparing their boats for a storm.
Community Involvement:
Through the Hurricane Hole Advisory Group (established during earlier phases of the project) local
boaters provided input into the design and location of the moorings, helping
to ensure their effective use
and reporting any problem to the proper authorities. This advisory group is comprised of official and
unofficial leaders of the boating community. Meetings are held when input is required for the effective
operation of the storm mooring system. Communications with the boating community is done through the
local boaters groups, yacht clubs, the local newspapers and radio. VINP/ VICRNM staff conduct an
annual signup for storm mooring berths and uses these gatherings as an additional outreach opportunity
with local boaters. The Friends uses this opportunity to inform boaters about the project and its donor(s).
