Conversations with fishers, community leaders, and residents in Bequia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, are helping shed light on changing traditions and emerging threats affecting seabirds across the Grenadines. During a series of community meetings in Paget Farm and around the island, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) staff gathered local knowledge and perspectives about seabird harvesting, shifting island vegetation, and the conditions of nearby offshore cays.

Many longtime residents reflected on earlier decades when collecting seabird eggs from nearby islands was a common activity. Buckets of eggs would be gathered during trips to offshore cays. Today, however, that practice has largely disappeared. Community members explained that there is little interest in seabird eggs now, particularly since selling them is illegal and residents increasingly rely on chicken eggs and other foods instead.

Local observations also highlighted noticeable environmental changes on some of the smaller islands surrounding Bequia. Residents pointed to places such as Middle Cay and Battowia, where vegetation appears different from what many remember growing up. Some community members believe grazing goats introduced to these islands have contributed to vegetation loss while others argue that repeated hurricanes and the effects of seabird guano are the primary causes of these changes.

Fishers also shared observations about seabird activity in the region. Several reported seeing species such as Brown Boobies, Royal Terns, and Magnificent Frigatebirds more frequently in recent years. It's unclear, however, whether these sightings represent population increases or seasonal movements between islands.

Despite differing perspectives on the causes of environmental change, community members expressed interest in solutions. Ideas discussed included revegetating degraded islands to restore habitat and assessing nearby areas where invasive grasses, whose fast-growing, tough roots may penetrate into seabird nests and burrows, may entangle birds and chicks. These conversations highlight the importance of combining scientific research with local knowledge and community input.

These efforts are important for EPIC’s conservation goals to protect seabirds and their habitats throughout the Grenadines, an area in the Caribbean known to have globally and regionally important seabird nesting colonies. Seabirds have declined globally - in some estimates as much as 70% from historic levels- and they are an indicator species, critical to the health of the overall ecosystem.