Northern Great Camanoe

A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, B(ii)Site contains an exceptional number of species of high conservation importance

The area qualified for its botanical richness and presence of the rare BVI endemic bromeliad Pitcairnia jareckii (EN), which only grows within this TIPA and two other TIPAs, Hawks Nest and Guana Island.

This TIPA covers the northern part of Great Camanoe, from Cam Bay and Lee Bay to North Bay. This northern part of the island is uninhabited and undeveloped. The TIPA includes Cam Bay National Park, declared in 1999 for the protection of its coastal ecosystem of salt ponds, seagrass, mangroves, coral reefs, remnants of a pre-Columbian settlement and wildlife (migratory birds, hawksbill and green turtles and several fish species). A Fisheries Priority Area surrounds the TIPA’s northern and western side from Louse Cay to Bails’ Ground. A Marine Protected Area has been proposed for Lee Bay.

The BVI endemic bromeliad Pitcairnia jareckii (EN) grows along the far northern coast of this TIPA near North Bay. This species is rare in the BVI, growing only within this TIPA and two other TIPAs, Hawks Nest and Guana Island, qualifying the site under TIPAs sub-criterion A(i). Another three globally threatened plants of high conservation importance for the BVI grow within this TIPA, qualifying the area under sub-criterion B(ii) for its botanical richness. A population of the Virgin Islands endemic Croton fishlockii (NT) grows on the hills north of Cam Bay National Park in the Seasonally deciduous forest and woodland. The Puerto Rican Bank endemic Agave missionum (VU) has been recorded along the coast at Lee Bay inside Cam Bay National Park. The Virgin Islands endemic Reynosia guama (NT) has been reported to grow in this area, so it was agreed during the TIPAs assessment workshop that the species would be included in this TIPA’s list of species of high conservation importance despite no high accuracy records being available at the time.

This TIPA has three nationally threatened habitats. Mangroves are found mainly around Cam Bay and Lee Bay and along the south eastern boundaries of the TIPA near Kitto Ghut. Dry salt flats are present at the edge of Lee Bay Pond in Cam Bay National Park. Coastal shrublands are predominant inside the National Park and along the eastern and northern coasts. Despite the occurrence of these nationally threatened habitats, the site did not qualify under TIPAs sub-criterion C(iii), as these habitats are better represented at the national level in other sites.

The main threats to the TIPA are grazing by feral goats and future development.

The area is rich in wider biodiversity with nesting sites for several birds (e.g. red-billed tropicbird and laughing gull), the territory’s’ largest snake, the rare and endangered Virgin Islands tree boa and several bats.

BVI TIPAs National Team, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - National Parks Trust of the Virgin Islands - BVI Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration