The Tobago House of Assembly and reef tour operators are now consulting on the development of regulations for the Buccoo Reef Marine Park.
After seven-year-old Angelica Jogie was killed by a jet ski near Pigeon Point Beach in April this year, the THA banned jet skis and, soon after, passed the Tobago Marine Parks Bill.
During debate on the THA Budget for fiscal year 2027 on Thursday, Chief Secretary Farley Augustine said the THA is in discussions with reef tour operators who felt some of the measures in the bill were too harsh.
“And notwithstanding my earlier pronouncements that me ain’t want no meeting with them, they have been coming to my office. I had some of the proprietors down on No Man’s Land.”
The Chief Secretary stated that he has been listening to the concerns of reef tour operators following the establishment of the Tobago Marine Parks Bill and the High Court ban on jet skis within the Buccoo Reef Marine Park. The operators wanted the bill to be withdrawn.
“I think that what people don’t understand is that there is a difference between the regulations and the law. The law is what is going to authorise us to really create regulations and have them enforceable.”
Mr Augustine instructed the relevant Secretaries and technocrats to meet with the operators to develop the regulations together, including reasonable user fee structures.
As for the ban on jet skis, he said, “Our decision to go to court, to have the court invariably regulate the use of the space until laws and regulations are in place, is because even after the death, caused by the jetski, we saw jetskis zooming in and among bathers.”
When Parliament legislates the Bill, Chief Secretary Augustine stated that the THA will establish zones for jet ski operations within the Buccoo Reef Marine Park.
He also welcomed suggestions regarding how the park should be managed.
“They suggested that we should return to the days where we have somebody there on a daily basis before the boat go out, checking and ensuring that the boats don’t go past their capacity.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary will tour No Man’s Land soon with the operators to determine the best location for bathroom facilities and the best way to upgrade the vendors.
Additionally, he committed to supplying operators with uniforms and ID passes.
“We agree that there would be a rebranding of the work that they do down in the area there so that they not seen as hustlers and higglers, and harrassers of the visitors but that they are seen as worthwhile businessmen who have incredible customer service.”
Mr Augustine committed to allowing the operators to continue their trade as long as they are willing to comply with safety and professional standards and environmentally sensitive practices.