Boa Vista Experience

harry · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:52 am Post subject: Quadbikes

A group of citizens on Boavista are in the process of collecting signatures for their petition against the disrespect of the current law relating to the use of quadbikes within the coastal region. The current law states that quadbikes cannot be used within an eighty metre distance from the shoreline. The petition will eventually be sent to the Marine Authority, the Boavista Council and the Cape Verde Government. The initiative has been made to protect the beaches from disturbance which ultimately leads to
1. The erradication of a species of crab used by local fisherman as bait
2. Disturbance of turtle nesting populations
3. Unsafe bathing areas for both adults and children

They hope that by drawing up this petition the law will be brought to evidence to all future tourists coming to Boavista.

admin · Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 441

Thanks for that Harry. I am with you on this one. Rules are there to be kept. I have no problem with quadbikes or any motorized transport, I myself enjoy quadbiking. However, the ecology and its preservation for the future is important.

Good Luck with this one!

Andre

harry · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:31 pm Post subject:

Hi Andre,

I'm not actually involved in any of this initiative. Someone just wanted me to post the information on the website to spread the word. It's hard if you're a tourist arriving as there aren't any signs on the beaches stipulating the rules at all - maybe the petition will encourage the Marine Authority to advertise the regulations more widely. I guess with everything else it comes down to funding.....

Harry

admin · Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 2007 Posts: 441

Harry,
Could you get the organizers of the petition to join the forum, they are welcome to present their case. People internationally are reading this website + forum. Cubans, Chinese, Cameroonians are all reading it. We are mind-bogled by the extent of the zone of influence. Google gadgets with the immediate translation of all pages has helped, the translations are not always perfect, however they are adequate. This forum is to educate the public ( international readers). It allows for open debate, there could be people with counter arguments, so rather you advising us of the scenario, if the organizers themselves could give us the full picture.
Thanks
Andre

harry · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Andre,

I heard about the petition through Radio Cabo Verde. Maybe the best way to get some kind of debate established would be for Boavista Experience to contact the Radio Station - RCV - directly?

Harry

l_ripa · Expert Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Boavista

I've trying to get in touch with this people here in Boavista, because I'm the one the rent/sell quads I'd loved to be involved in this discussion

I've been yesterday to the police officier and to the marine authirity to give my disponibity to find a solution suitable for everybody and to aks if there is any acutal law that limits the use of quadbikes.their answer was "no actually ther is not any regulamentation"

Harry, can you please copy and past the law that tells about the 80 meters on the beach, beacuse I've tried to get some info on that but nobody helped me so if you can do that would be very helpfull.

Unfortynately nobody in Boavista was able to tell me who is the responsable of this petition.

So I'm using this forum to invite these people to pop in my shop or to call me so we can sit toghether and discuss how to solve this problem.

Thanks in advance

Leo
Quadland-boavista

andre · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks Leo. This is why I originally got involved with John, why this forum was set up. We feel we have a responsibility to the development of Boa Vista for all. Yes, we have bought apartments, but that is not the be all and end all. We have made financial sacrifices and major time committments on this website, BUT if we can foster dialogue etc it is all worth it! We would like to see the Boa Vista prosper, that involves understanding/ discussion/co-operation. How can there be a petition if there is no formal regulation! I understand your frustration. I also appreciate your work in complying on the policing of danger areas.
Good Luck! Maybe we can discuss this over a cerveja next time!

Thanks for donating the quadbike hire + 2 caps prize. Much appreciated!
Regards
Andre

harry · Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject:

As I stated before as is the case within any developing country laws exist yet application cannot always occur due to desperate lack of funds. I guess the only way that a community can highlight the lack of regulation of a law is precisely through a petition. I posted the information regarding the petition on this forum only to pass on information to tourists who maybe interested in hearing about the initiative - not to create a polemic. I have searched the RCV website to see if they have posted the news article concerning the petition but could find no record of it. At this point the best thing to do for anybody who wants to discuss the petition would be to contact the Correspondent for Boavista - Andrea Valdigem » Tel: 9968180 - contact information that I found on the RCV website - I hope that he is able to provide further information. I am also looking for further evidence for the law relating to the utilisation of motorised vehicles in coastal regions - as soon as I have any further information I will post it on this forum.

Best regards,
Harry

harry · Posted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 11:11 pm Post subject:

Both on Cabral and Estoril Beaches there are signs posted by the Marine Authority stating to avoid the use of motorised vehicles on the beaches and sand dunes to protect nature alongside other advise concerning the use of the beaches. I have taken a photo of the sign at the end of Estoril Beach on the sand dune just past the Wind Club and will post it on the forum. In the meantime I am still searching for written evidence of the law concerning motorised vehicle use on the beaches.

Best regards,
Harry

jwynne · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 7:04 am Post subject:

Harry / Leo,

Just wishing to offer further thanks for your input into a matter that BoaVista Experience believe is very important. Hopefully aided by this forum, the visiting tourists can understand how important this is and we can all assist in ensuring Boa Vista's beaches are looked after.

Jason

l_ripa · Expert Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Boavista

Hi Jhon and everybody...still no news form the promotrt of the petition...
Altought since the month of june (when turtle starts to do tehir nest) I provide customer that rent a quads with a map of boavista with red marks on the "forbidden area" such like Varandinha, Cabo S.maria, and all the Ervatao-Coral Velho beach and advise them taht the Military Police which is in charge to patrol and protect turtles cna give them a fine if they drive trough this area.

I've proposed the Tourtel Foundation that operate in Boavista since this year to put signed posted on the beach where quadbike shoudn't be allowed, but all the porcess stared to late and we agreed to do it from next year.

I've proposed many times to the locals to do once a month a "beach cleaning" using the quadbikes....no one show up.

I'd like to see this people more proactive for all the ecologist proposal and not just for something.

Most of you taht visit boavista probably saw the amount of garbage on the beach very closed to Sal-rei .....but except some turists and very few resident I've never see anybody going around with big black bag to collect garbage and clean the beachs.....any petiton for that??

l_ripa · Expert Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 36 Location: Boavista

..it looks like my request has been lost in space.....
petition promoters please join the discussion..

Leo
quadland-boavista

harry · Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject:

I asked Jose to go and speak to the Marine Authority to get more official information. He spoke to the head of the Delegacao Marittima here in Boavista who confirmed that it is prohibited for any motorised vehicle to drive along the beaches. He also stated that the police have advised all companies renting quadbikes of this law. Jose asked him to produce written evidence of the law - he said that he would search for it - as soon as it is passed on I will post it on this forum.