The beach in St. Jean has never been the same since the last major hurricanes to hit the island (Luis in September 1995 then Georges in 1998, and José and Lenny in 1999), in contrast to the beach in Flamands.
In 2000, additional sand was brought to the beach in St. Jean by taking 8000 cubic meters of sand from the area between the color reef and the Eden Rock. But this operation, launched by local businesses, was not very successful, as at the end of the next tourist season, the sand had already disappeared. There were several reasons for this failure: first, there is a natural movement to the sands, which from the winter to summer months, move toward the western end of the beach, rather than the eastern end. Also the coral reef at the entry to the bay is dead and the grasses that used to slow down the force of the waves have disappeared. Finally, after the last hurricanes, local residents tried in vain to protect their properties from the damage caused by the waves and by erosion by putting up wooden gates, concrete walls, and piles of large rocks. These only helped to create a new pattern for the waves, which now crashed against these constructions some of which did not resist the force of the water. A concrete wall weakened and cracked along its entire length. There are no longer any natural barriers to hold back the swells as they hit against the walls and rocks with force; then the water recedes, taking with it the sand from the beach, and the end result is further erosion of the beach.
At the moment, the stretch of beach between the Eden Rock and the Tom Beach hotel does not have any sand at all, while from the end of the runway at the airport as far as the Islets de la Plage, the sands forms a large tongue. Last July, the owners of the Eden Rock, with the support of the hotel association and in particular the neighboring hotels in St Jean, requested permission from the island government to use their own money to add sand to the beach.
The local officials asked the opinion of several specialists, as well as that of marine biologist Deborah Brosnan, and that of two companies, one which specializes in scientific studies and project management, and the other in machinery for marine projects. Photos of the beach taken over the past 30 years were collected and used to analyze the problem. The conclusions were unanimous: the ecosystem in the Bay of St Jean is permanently damaged due to a variety of reasons (climate, biology, and obviously, people).
The territorial council has now authorized sand to be brought to this part of the beach, as they are aware of the economic consequences that the current situation could have on the tourist season this winter. In the meantime, local officials and members of various associations for the protection of the environment are not convinced of the long or short-term success of sand moved by man rather than by nature.
For Michel Magras, vice-president of the island’s executive council and a junior high biology teacher, this emergency action can only be a short-term solution that should be followed up by a serious study. He explains: “the first step would be to replant coral and sea grasses and follow their development.” This has already been done on other islands with excellent results. He adds: “It is necessary to recreate the original profile of the beach in order to efficiently evaluate the effect of the waves, an operation that would require the removal of all man-made barriers including stone walls and rock piles.” Finally, he poses the following possibility: “Build an artificial barrier for protection, if these actions do not have the desired effect.” These are the kind of decisions facing the new territorial council in Saint Barth.
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
