Dear Editor:
After reading a number of articles on the new national monument areas I have a number of questions. But first let me say no one wants to see anyone lose their livelihood.
1. Has anyone looked at other islands like Bonaire, Belize, Cancun or Florida, etc. that have gone through the same process and found out if the benefits have outweighed the temporary turmoil? . 2. How many fishermen depend on the 30,000-acre areas for there daily catch?
3. Isn't there a large enough area outside the reserve area to fish?
4. Has anyone thought to retrain the fisherman as guides for tourists and scuba divers?
5. Don't the people of the V. I. realize yet that our reefs provide things for our lives and our children's lives that we have only begun to realize?
Thank you,
Jim Burkart