Victoria Falls, Delices Buy Dominica products
Home
Welcome Message
Prior Issues
Feedback
Current Issue
Contact Us
Advertise
About Dominica

more Dominica news archives
World Creole Music Festival
Roseau Symposium October 28, 2002
Dominica's First Black Bishop Ordained

In the Spotlight
CSM Ralph Alcendor On the Frontlines in Afghanistan
Cuthbert Hurtault: Final Tour of Duty in Vietnam

Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences
National Development Fund
Rosie Douglas Foundation

Become A Sponsor
The Dominican provides a unique opportunity to advertise to the thousands of people who access this free site daily, while becoming a sponsor of the site. For additional information, please

Inquire Here



ADD: Dominica's news magazine to Your Favorites OR Your Home Page

Volume No. 1 Issue No. 30 - Monday, October 21, 2002
Aves Island a Strategic Island in the Caribbean Sea
Should Dominica Stake a Claim to the Island?
by Thomson Fontaine

There has been much discussion over the years in Dominica about its claim or lack thereof to Birds Island. Former Prime Ministers Patrick John and Roosevelt Douglas had both expressed interest in the Island. Speculation was heightened last year when the CARICOM heads of government indicated that they may be willing to back up Dominica's claims to the Island. However, to date the government of Dominica has not indicated whether it will pursue any such claim.

Birds or Aves Island, as it is called by the Spanish, is a famed bird sanctuary and is said by some to be rich in oil. Most of the people arguing in favor of Dominica staking a claim to the Island have pointed out that at approximately 180 miles west of Dominica, it is well within its territorial boundaries. Birds Island is the most isolated Island in the Caribbean Sea, and is very strategically located.

Upon gaining its independence from Spain in 1821, Venezuela lay claim to Birds Island, which lies approximately 600 miles north east of Caracas, the Venezuelan capital. At that time however, no attempt was made to inhabit the Island. Approximately 1000 meters long and 400 meters wide, Birds Island is made up mostly of sand and coral. Several rare bird species survive on the Island and in 1972, it was named a Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary by the government of Venezuela.

Birds Island has an intriguing history. In 1587 the Island was spotted by Spanish adventurer Avaro Sanzze, who claimed it on behalf of Spain and named it Isla de Aves (Birds Island). At that time however, no formal possession of the Island was made by the Spanish and it was not inhabited.

The Island was later to change possession between the British, the Spanish, the Portugese and later the Ducth. In 1878 the Guano & Copra Company of America, inhabited the island, built up some wooden houses and mined guano ( a bird fertilizer) until 1912 when the bird manure was practically exhausted.

In 1979, the Venezuelan government erected a coast guard station and listening post on the island. Today, it is used as a military base, and the Venezuelan military exercises strict control over the island, with visitors requiring a special permit from the Venezuelan military. For the most part, only Venezuelans have been allowed to visit the Island. Local Dominican fishermen have reported rich fishing waters around the island, which are regularly patrolled by the Venezuelan coast guard.

To date, no government official has spoken out publicly about Dominica's interest in Birds Island, and it is yet to be determined if any action on the mater is planned by the authorities.


Send your comments about this article to:
editor@
thedominican.net
Telephone:
1-703-861-9411
Fax:
1-202-589-7937




Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our newsletter, and receive it by e-mail.

Subscribe

  | Home | Welcome Message | Prior Issues | Feedback | Current Issue |
| Contact Us | Advertise | About Dominica | Privacy Policy |

� Copyright 2002 TheDominican.Net.
Designed and Hosted by Caribbean Supplies -- All Rights reserved