VIEQUES, PUERTO RICO

Fig. 1 courtesy of: http://www.perpetualexplorer.com

Who Glows There?Spatial Analysis

LOCATION 18.1167° N, 65.4167° W

BIOLUMIESCENT BAY

Vieques (vee-AI-kais) is an island 76 miles south of Puerto Rico. The number above is the

latitude and longitude coordinate features that help us to locate Vieques on a map. But where is Vieques?

Montana is 3224 miles from the island of Vieques. The route to Vieques is taken through Florida to the

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Vieques was established as a U.S. territory in 1884.

Puerto Rico is a much larger island than Vieques, spanning 100 miles long as opposed to Vieques which is

only 21 miles long. Vieques neighbors

Culebra which is 15 miles north. These

islands are sometimes referred to as the

Spanish Virgin Islands owned by the Spanish

before the Spanish-American War of 1898 (Spanish American War, n.d., documentary).

http://islandsofpuertorico.com/regions-of-puerto-rico/.

BIOLUMINESCENCE AND PEOPLEWhat is bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence occurs in many species of insects, plants, micro-organisms and occur all over

the world. Most sea animals have a degree of bioluminescence especially in the deep sea.

Bioluminescence means “life glow”. A chemical reaction using a product known as “luciferin” is

synthesized in an organism or creature and the effect is an incandescent blueish green (as in fireflies) or

blueish purple as in many lagoons.

This reaction from creatures is a defense response. The creature feels threatened and therefore

glows as a response to vibrations, agitation or mating. There is no freshwater stream leading into the big

bio bay that could lower the salinity to undesirable levels. Human contamination from sewage which

seriously degraded a bio bay on the Big Island is not a problem in Vieques” ("Abe's Snorkeling & Bio

Bay Tours - Vieques Puerto Rico"). The bay is secluded and encircled to keep the dinoflagellates safe

and the water consistent.

Courtesy: http://viequesfineproperties.com/wp-content/gallery/about-vieques/property_map.jpg

Why is it in Vieques-Mosquito Bay?

Puerto Rico has three Bio Bays as seen in the map below*. Dinoflagellates are the organisms that

make the Bioluminescent Bay in Vieques glow and there are 750,000 for every gallon of water. The

perfect habitat exists in the Bioluminescent (Mosquito) Bay. Mangrove trees are abundant and live at the

coastline providing shelter and food from its dead leaves that the dinoflagellates eat ("Descriptions and

articles about the Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) - Encyclopedia of Life"). The water is calm, with

consistent temperatures year round. The balance in the bay contributes to why Vieques has the brightest

and healthiest Bioluminescent Bay in the entire world.

Three Bioluminescent Bays in Puerto Rico

Map source: http://www.biobaypuertorico.com

The tours are taken via silent boats. There are other bioluminescent bays, lagoons and lakes that

people can swim in. The Maldives in the Indian Ocean have many bays, Northwestern coast of Australia

has a lake and there are caves in Australia dripping with green glowing slime from glow worms.

People play a vital role in the

preservation of the Bio Bay in Vieques.

Now that the island is economically

dependent on eco-tourism, thousands of

people flock to the brightest glowing bay in

the world. The tours are careful to not

endanger the dinoflagellates with

Photo:

http://www.abessnorkeling.com/images/photos/biobay_tato.jpg

VIEQUES, PR AND MISSOULA, MTGeographic Size

Vieques is approximately 21 miles long and the city of Missoula is a staggering 551 miles long. You

could perceivably fit 26 Vieques Islands inside of the city of Missoula.

Vieques Map(Left): http://www.elenas-vieques.com/decem/Vieqmap.jpeg

Map of Missoula neighborhoods (right): ftp://ftp.ci.missoula.mt.us/Maps%20and%20Graphics/City%20Maps/PDF/Citymap.pdf

What is in a name?

Vieques is the Spanish word that means:”small island” given by the Taino Indians.

Missoula is a “Salish Indian word meaning: near the cold, chilling waters,” (The Missoula County History.

(n.d.) Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. Retrieved from: http://www.fortmissoulamuseum.org/history.php)

Landmarks

Missoula is rich with icons and landmarks throughout the city. From the infamous University of

Montana Main Hall, “it was designed by the well-known Missoula architect A.J. Gibson in the

Richardsonian-Romanesque style and opened in 1899” to the M-trail that is 620 feet high overlooking

Missoula from Mount Sentinal. There are many places to visit and it is rich with history and character

(Missoulian, January 29, 2015, 100icons).

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/missoulian.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/d2/ad2e4ba4-fe23-11e3-a57c-

0019bb2963f4/53adaf260a8bc.preview-620.jpg

Vieques is identified as the largest, brightest and healthiest Bioluminescent Bay in the world. It can be

seen year round and glows a greenish blue when activated by motion. This is a protected area as the

unique ecosystem is so impressive relying on a delicate balance.

Bioluminescent (Mosquito) Bay

Photo at top by Phil Heart http://www.yurtopic.com/travel/destinations/puerto-rico-places.html, Bottom: Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico / Google Maps Image

El Fortin

Fortin Conde de Mirasol is another

landmark of history and rich landscape. “El

Fortin Code de Mirasol was built between

1845 and 1855. “El Fortin” (The fort) is

the best place on the island to learn about

the island’s history”

(http://vieques.com/fortin-spanish-fort,

March 2015).

Taino Indian Site

Part of the archaeological studies of the first inhabitants of Vieques, these stones are the remnants of a culture lost.

http://

www.casavioleta.com/galleryOne/pictures/image11.jpg

Photo courtesy: http://vieques.com/fortin-spanish-fort,

Population: Indian Origins

Vieques and Missoula have Indian Native origins. The first people that inhabited the Isle of

Vieques were the Taino Indians. ” When the Spanish settlers first came in 1508, since there is no reliable

documentation, anthropologists estimate their numbers to have been between 20,000 and 50,000, but

maltreatment, disease, flight, and unsuccessful rebellion had diminished their number to 4,000 by 1515”.

(Taino Indian Culture.(n.d.) Welcome to Puerto Rico. Retrieved from:

http://welcome.topuertorico.org/reference/taino.shtml).

From first contact with Columbus in 1493, the Taino Indigenous Peoples population were nearing

extinction due to diseases like smallpox in Vieques. The Spanish controlled Vieques for many years

using brutality and greed. In the Library of Congress exhibits, the historical encounter of the Taino

Indians and Columbus is preserved and shared:

Courtesy of: http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/exploring-the-early-americas/columbus-and-the-taino.html.

Taino Indians are not a tribe lost to the archives of history, they thrived through the female Taino women

that Columbus and his settlers took as wives. The Taino

people celebrate their heritage today many in Jamaica and

Cuba.

Photo courtesy of: http://www.jar2.com/2/Taino/TAINO.htm

Missoula, Montana is very rich in several native tribes that call it home today.” The first

inhabitants of the Missoula area were American Indians from the Salish tribe.

Photo: http://www.flatheadwatershed.org/cultural_history/images/fig3_7_salish_map08_31_2010.jpg

They called the area "Nemissoolatakoo," from which "Missoula" is derived. The word translates roughly

to "river of ambush/surprise," a reflection of the inter-tribal fighting common to the area. The Indians'

first encounter with whites came in 1805, when the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through the

Missoula Valley” (Destination Missoula, (n.d.), History. Retrieved from: http://destinationmissoula.org/history).

“The Flathead Indian Reservation, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. They

are a combination of the Salish, the Pend d'Oreille and the Kootenai. Of the approximately 6,950 enrolled

tribal members, about 4,500 live on or near the reservation. The reservation comprises over 1.2 million

acres between Missoula and Kalispell.” (“Missoula Measures.(n.d.), Missoula County Official Website.

Retrieved from: http://www.co.missoula.mt.us/measures/Social/amindian.htm). The Blackfeet Indian

tribe are also prevalent in the Missoula area. These tribes have inhabited the area for centuries and are a

preserved and profound culture within Missoula adding to its diversity.

MIGRATION OF LIFE

Vieques has a long history of its inhabitants being removed from their homes by imperialistic

rulers. The first recorded history speaks to that of the Indigenous Peoples that Columbus encountered in

1493. Inhabitants of the island were known as Arawak Indians which inhabited Venezuela, the Caribbean

Islands and Central America leading to Florida in America (Corbet, 1995). The Taino Indians were

considered “peaceful” people and defended themselves in battle but did not often initiate warfare.

The estimated

population of the Taino

people has a wide range

in which scholars and

locals neither can decide.

Approximately 60,000 in

1507 and by 1531 the

number was down to 600

(Corbet, 1995). As

pestilence and disease spread through the Taino Indians, their immune systems were compromised

Photo courtesy: http://theageofdiscovery.wikispaces.com/Christopher+Columbus%27+second+voyage

having never been exposed to diseases of the Spanish. Many died from illness as they were captured and

worked and died as slaves for the Spanish inhabitants while they stole gold and goods (National Library

of Medicine, "Taíno meet Columbus; "New World" gets new diseases - Timeline - Native Voices").

Timeline information courtesy of: (National Library of Medicine, "Taíno meet Columbus; "New World" gets new diseases - Timeline - Native Voices" and Corbet, 1995)

“Amerindian” women were captured and intermarried the Spanish while only a few others escaped into

the mountains of Haiti ("Vieques' People", 2015). The Spanish dominated Vieques and “colonized it in

the early 19th century”. Being independent from Puerto Rico, by 1847, the sugar industry boomed and by

this time many colonists had transported black slaves and Chinese workers to build roads and the fort in

Vieques.

The diversity of population was at its peak when the U.S. obtained control of Puerto Rico and

Vieques in 1898 after the Spanish-American War ("Vieques' People", 2015). Throughout the history of

Vieques, many more people left or died on the island than resided there. There are several accounts of

colonialism and domination by foreign lands including (in many opinions) the United States. After

slavery was abolished in Puerto Rico during the prolific sugar cane production era (1873), black slaves

AD 1000Taino Indians known as Taíno settled in Puerto

Rico and Vieques.

1493On his second voyage, Christopher Columbus

claims the island for Spain and encounters

the Taino Indians.

1507Taino population drops from millions to 60,000

as diseases spread.

1531Only 600 Taino remain

as the women were taken as brides to the

Spanish and many more killed and dying

revolted against poor working conditions of the fields and burned the crops in protest. The population

was primarily workers of the land and not landowners from the “Census of 1899, 85.9% were considered

landless” (J. Ayala, 2001).

Family of former slaves in Puerto Rico 1898

Photo courtesy:https://writetofight.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/untitled12.jpg?w=500

U.S. CONTROL IN VIEQUES

In 1898, the U.S. gained control over the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and this included the

islands of Vieques and Culebra. “Representatives of Spain and the United States signed a peace treaty in

Paris on December 10, 1898, which established the independence of Cuba, ceded Puerto Rico and Guam

to the United States, and allowed the victorious power to purchase the Philippines Islands from Spain for

$20 million. The war had cost the United States $250 million and 3,000 lives, of whom 90% had perished

from infectious diseases” (Library of Congress, "The World of 1898: The Spanish-American War",

2011). There were over 10,000 inhabitants in Vieques enjoying thousands of pounds of sugar cane

production each year. The land was flourishing and the population growing. The industry of sugar was

making some landowners very rich and keeping unemployment rates down. As seen in the chart below,

the increase of productivity from the four sugar mills in Vieques continued to rise (1907-1910) despite

former grievances. The President of the United States also governs Puerto Rico as do Congress.

courtesy:(Ayala, 2001)

Sugar plantation owners were very rich and

there were very few of them. In the year of

1941, 8000 lbs. of sugar cane were produced.

Landowners benefitted financially even more

when the U.S. Navy bought their crops and

displaced many inhabitants to form their testing

sites on the island. The livelihood of Vieques

would forever change. A culture lost, where

only poverty and pollution were abundant.

Many Viquenses flee north to Puerto Rico where they would find jobs in a more stable environment.

LANDSCAPE CHANGES

In 1941, the United States “Navy expropriated two thirds of the total land, including most of the

land used for farming” yet, employment remained steady due to workers now building the U.S. Naval

Bases. ("BRIEF HISTORY OF VIEQUES", 2015). The drop in civilian ownership of farms drops

drastically

(Table 4) after

the U.S. locates the naval base on the land used for sugar cane at the opposite ends of the island (see Map

5).

MAP 5: Source: http://merlintm.eth7.com/images/vieques1.jpg

The value of property plummeted (see Table 8 )and as the resource of sugar cane was no longer

functioning in Vieques, people fled to Puerto Rico and other islands in order to survive.

Bioluminescent Bay

Landscape changes occurred from the 60 year reign of the Navy on the water and land of Vieques.

What once flourished as sugar cane fields as well as other resources such as pineapple were all depleted

and forbidden zones. The main inhabitable land was a strip through the center of Vieques with most of its

residents living opposite of the Bio Bay on the north side of the island nearest to Puerto Rico.

The potential landscape rich with thriving ecosystems such as the mangrove trees that protect and

nurture organisms in the Bioluminescent Bay are threatened by the landfill during Naval clean up on the

island. Mangrove trees line the edges of Vieques and are support, shelter food and growth that many

plants and animals are dependent on. In a study “Coverage of Mangrove Ecosystem along Three Coastal

Zones of Puerto Rico using IKONOS Sensor” the dedicated land use on Vieques are over 50% for

mangrove trees.

Graph 3: http://gers.uprm.edu/geol6225/pdfs/j_toledo.pdf

Mangrove Trees-Photo: Warren Philipson

Prominent ecologist John Todd stated: “Vieques may

one day be nostalgic for the era of Navy occupation,” saying

that the Sun Bay project would destroy mangrove areas”

(Arbona, 2005). The Sun Bay project is resort and marketing

development to encourage eco-tourism to the island of Vieques.

Building over the coastal areas could disrupt the mangrove

population from overdevelopment and disturbing the natural

balance of the ecosystem contained. Many ecological

preservation debates exist on the island and

partitioning the eastern and western ends of the island

which are still restricted areas because of dangers and

pollution.

Mangrove Tree amidst construction Matthew D. Potenski, MDP Photography/Marine Photobank

There are many landscape changes in Vieques from before the U.S. Navy site to after the U.S.

Navy left. The economic and social ramifications of the lack of usable land for the inhabitants of Vieques

as it once was during their abundance in employment and bounty of the sugar crops. The sugar crops

brought diversity and stability. Driven away from the eastern and western coast lines with large areas

restricted and dangerous, many inhabitants experienced containment in their own land by dominant

military and U.S. conservation groups. Their economy now rests on development of resorts and

capitalizing on the National Wildlife Refuge and eco-tourism in order to survive. Crops are meager yet

farms have increased in number, their sizes are small and not independent of supplementation.

The following maps are retrieved from http://ccma.nos.noaa.gov/ecosystems/coralreef/vieques/vieques_ch1.pdf

U.S. NAVY AND ECOSYSTEM ASSOCIATION

“Never again shall we tolerate abuse of a magnitude and scope the likes of which no community in any of the fifty states would ever be asked to tolerate. Never again shall we tolerate such abuse: not for sixty years, and not for sixty months, or sixty hours, or sixty minutes.”

-- Puerto Rico Governor, Pedro Roselló, October 19, 1999. Statement before the U.S. Senate Armed Forces Committee.

Environmental contamination, noise pollution and ecosystem imbalance and wildlife threats were

directly associated with the presence of the U.S. Navy on the island of Vieques. The careless operations

of the navy destroyed the natural habitat and delicate ecosystems supporting the Bioluminescent

(Mosquito) Bay, green sea turtles, manatees and mangroves that are vital to the support, growth and

health of the people and the land for over 60 years ("BRIEF HISTORY OF VIEQUES", 2015). The

Bioluminescent Bay has been a source of wonder and amazement for people since the Spanish invasion

of 1493 when they thought it was not holy and tried to close it off but only making it brighter by its

confinement.

Cleaning up after the military departure began in “2007, as result of the Superfund listing, the Navy,

EPA, EQB and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service entered into a Federal Facilities Agreement, which sets

forth the roles of each party in the investigation, development, selection and implementation of responses to

releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, contaminants or pollutants that resulted from Navy

activities and/or operations at the site” ("Vieques Island/Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Area", 2013).

Testing contaminates have been positive for some crabs and other wildlife is susceptible to drastic changes

due to the amount of dangerous metals, large artillery and explosives line the island. The vegetation

consumed and grown around the civilian area of Vieques is contaminated with lead and poisons blown

ashore from the surrounding waters. Affecting grasses and root systems of plants and ecosystems such as

the mangrove trees, dinoflagellates in the glowing bay and manatees and green sea turtles, there are

chemicals and large debris in the water that prohibits natural growth and progression (Lindsey-

Poland,2001).

As seen in the maps below, restricted areas are in close proximity to beaches on the southern side of

the island. The Bioluminescent Bay glows the brightest because of its niche carved out and undisturbed in

the landscape. With high heavy metals present in the waters and military the ecosystems are threatened.

Map source: http://public.lantops-ir.org/sites/public/vieques/Munitions/MRonVieques_old.aspx

Courtesy of: http://public.lantops-ir.org/sites/public/vieques/Munitions/MRonVieques_old.aspx

A night view of Mosquito Bay on the island of Vieques, P.R. The prolonged blackout of one of the world’s most famous bioluminescent bays has alarmed scientists. 

Credit: Dennis Rivera for The New York Times

The darkening of the bay occurred June of 2014 and alarmed many hoping to see this bright and

glowing wonder. “We know the bay is not behaving consistently, and for that we need to study and

investigate,” said Carmen Guerrero Pérez, secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (Alvarez,

2014). Could this event be only one of many due to the military forces that occupied the island for

several decades? Balance is crucial to the delicacy of ecosystems experienced by the island. Global

changes and environmental contamination can destroy organisms and their natural life cycles. Currently,

the Environmental Protection Agency is studying the various forms of contamination that affects the

land, animals and people living on the island.

U.S. NAVAL BASE TO WILDLIFE REFUGE

The land once used by the U.S. Navy were returned to the island of Vieques as 18,000 acres of

wildlife refuge area in 2003 (Henion, 2011). Due to the massive amounts of clean up and restoration of

the landscape caused by live munitions and military neglect, many of the areas are closed as seen

below.Courtesy:http://www.enchanted-isle.com/images/vieques/maps/national-wildlife-refuge-map.jpg

The National Wildlife Refuge website states: “The marine environment surrounding the refuge

contains coral reefs and sea grass beds. The refuge and its surrounding waters are home to at least two

plants and eight animals on the Federal endangered species list including; the West Indian Manatee, the

Brown Pelican, and four species of sea turtles. In addition to its ecological value, the refuge contains

important resources of archeological and historic significance, and legacies of the Taíno culture and sugar

cane era” ("Vieques National Wildlife Refuge", 2008). The conservation efforts are a combined effort of

the civilians, law enforcement and ecological protective agencies. There is a true dedication to preserve

the diverse wildlife present on the island, encouraging the industry of eco-tourism to fortify the waning

economy of Vieques.

Tracking species such as the delicate manatee as shown below in a map by the USGS, helps to set

a baseline and encourage further monitoring for these species. It is disputable if the effects of the Navy

inhabiting the land will destroy ecosystems, but it is certain that the efforts poured into conservation and

pride in the island of Vieques are unmatched.

Map of Tracked ManateesSource: http://fl.biology.usgs.gov/Manatees/products/argos.html

Since the U.S. Navy left Vieques more in 2003, the increase of farms and production has

markedly changed. Improvement in agriculture according to the 2007 Census of Agriculture-Vieques,

Puerto Rico has risen steadily. The value of the crops still suffers, however, the number of farms

increased almost 250%.

VIEQUES AND JAMAICA ECO-PATTERNS

The eco-patterns of the two Caribbean islands of Jamaica and Vieques are similar and mirror one

another. Both islands have the occurrence of bioluminescence. In Jamaica, the Luminous Lagoon is

enjoyed by tourists and natives alike in Trelawny, Jamaica. Jamaica suffers a wide variety of eco-patterns

due to weather, global warming projections and inhabitants. The Caribbean Islands have been prime

candidates for military upheaval and domination. Agriculture has been negatively impacted through

hurricanes. Crops in Jamaica consist mostly of bananas, citrus and sugar cane. The shape of the island

resembles the much smaller Vieques. Sugar cane harvested on the eastern and western ends of both

islands. Here we see the mirror image of the topographical similarities between Jamaica and Vieques.

Photo below: Luis Esteves

Photos of Luminous Lagoon Trelawny, Jamaica

Courtesy: Phil Hart

Jamaica and Vieques have similar weather patterns with Jamaica experiencing more destructive

hurricanes than Vieques. Hurricans wipe out the crops and make for expensive recovery. Consistent

temperatures are ideal for sugar cane and both islands enjoy mangroves, sea turtles and glowing waters.

Vieques is surrounded by coral reefs and Mangrove Forests, most of which are located in the Danger

Zone or Restricted Areas of the island. The interesting fact about the study: “Spatial analysis of the

benthic habitats within the limited-use zones around Vieques, Puerto Rico” by Matthew Kendall and

Katherine Eschelbach, are the results of benthic habitat data resulted in the former Navy occupancy

serving as a protective zone for important ecological habitats such as mangroves around the island. The

highest concentration of coral reef also lie in the waters outside of the restricted zones and danger zone of

Vieques, sheltering it from destruction through development and inhabitants (Kendall, 2008, p. 389-398).

The question persists whether the cleanup projects of the areas formerly occupied by the U.S. Navy are

contributing to endangering native plants and ecosystems within the borders of Vieques.

(Kendall, 2008, p. 391)

(Kendall, 2008, p. 395)

(Kendall, 2008, p. 396)

POPULATION STANDSTILL

The population in Vieques for well over 25 years has never been more than 10.000. Currently

there are only 9,350 (2011 Census) compared to over 3 million in Puerto Rico Commonwealth in 2011.

The lack of economic growth, contributes to the livelihood of the residents. Once jobs were plenty, the

Viequense worked the land, they were able to enjoy the bounty of the land in the form of their most

prolific crop to date, sugar cane. After the tragedy at Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Military captured Vieques

strategically planning maneuvers, disregarding the people.

The residents are all centrally located and many have joined families that were exiled when the

U.S. Navy came or other political powers from Europe that corralled them into small compartments in

order to exploit their land and gain their own prosperity. There are positive and negative things that the

U.S. brought to Vieques. Many Viequense applauded what seemed like a victory when the U.S. was

forced to leave the island. It was the general consensus among many they would have the land re-

allocated to the civilians. When the National Wildlife Refuge took the ruins the U.S. Navy left behind,

resentments magnified. Vieques now promotes tourism and raises awareness in the preservation of their

land, culture and people.

WHAT THEY LEFT BEHINDCourtesy: http://public.lantops-ir.org/sites/public/vieques/RegOverview/IRPandMRP.aspx

Vieques Bombing Footage

Left: http://archive.navytimes.com/article/20080418/NEWS/804180324/Unexploded-munitions-cleared-Vieques

Right: http://article.wn.com/view/2014/12/11/Puerto_Rico_officials_close_beach_in_Vieques_as_US_Navy_clea/

Live munitions still exist on Vieques that have been part of a long range plan to recover the land

and safety of the people. The top photo identifies the clean up project by EPA and similar organizations

in an effort to restore the land and protect the environment. The

pollution and ruins of several areas are slow to improve.

U.S. Navy Protest poster

http://www.thegully.com/essays/puertorico/puertorico_img/bomba2.jpg

http://www.thegully.com/essays/puertorico/010212

depleted_uranium.html

The recurring problems that the people in Vieques suffer from a

wide array of health problems has increased since the U.S. Navy’s occupation on the island. Live

munitions, careless behavior, all in the name of military tactics has left the Viequense bitter and sick.

“The Navy said DU shells were used by mistake, and they made some efforts to recover the radioactive

shell casings afterwards. They now say the unrecovered casings don't matter, anyway, because DU is a

"natural" material of relatively low radioactivity” (Eglund, " Depleted Uranium: the Vieques-Kosovo

Connection").

VIEQUES THEN AND NOW

Once a thriving economy based on agriculture, many areas are ruins, abandoned sugar cane mills. Below

is a map of the vitality of the areas that built a life around sugar mills, now abandoned. The economy

now focuses on preservation and eco-tourism to enjoy the diverse exotic animals, habitats and

Bioluminescent Bay.

THEN

courtesy of: http://www.adventurebibleschool.com/playa-grande-sugar-plantation/

NOW

THEN

U.S. Navy in ViequesSource:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Graham_County_LST-1176.jpg

A common sight for over 60 year the U.S. Navy monopolized,

polluted and abandoned live munitions. Bombing exercises

lending noise pollution to the quiet island. Many Viequense

resent the “help” the U.S. imposed on them in the form of jobs

and betterment. Another vicious takeover by outside countries

exerting power over the small island.

NOW

Focused on eco-tourism,

Vieques is one of the most

popular vacation destinations.

The island depends on the

development and competitive

resort market as it embraces

tourists and the money they

bring to the island.

Works Cited2007 Census of Agriculture Municipio Profile-Vieques, Puerto Rico. (2007, January 1). Retrieved March

15, 2015, from

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/County_Profiles/

Puerto_Rico/cppr147.pdf

Abe's Snorkeling & Bio Bay Tours - Vieques Puerto Rico. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2015, from

http://www.abessnorkeling.com/vieques_bio_bay.shtml

Arbona, J. (2005, January 1). Vieques, Puerto Rico: From Devastation to Conservation and Back Again.

Retrieved March 15, 2015, from http://iaste.berkeley.edu/pdfs/17.1d-Fall05arbona-sml.pdf

Alvarez, L. (2014, June 4). Puerto Rico Debates Who Put Out the Lights in Mosquito Bay. Retrieved

March 15, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/05/us/puerto-rico-debates-who-put-out-

the-lights-in-a-bay.html?_r=0

Ayala, C. J. (2001, January 1). From sugar plantations to military bases: The U.S. Navy's Expropriations

in Vieques, Puerto Rico, 1940-45. Retrieved March 15, 2015, from

http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/soc/faculty/ayala/vieques/web/07ayalasugaroplanttomilitary.pdf

Becker, M. (2003, November 1). Vieques: Long March to People's Victory. Retrieved March 15, 2015,

from http://www.solidarity-us.org/node/503

Bernhard Riegl, Ryan P. Moyer, Brian K. Walker, Kevin Kohler, David Gilliam, and Richard E. Dodge

(2008) A Tale of Germs, Storms, and Bombs: Geomorphology and Coral Assemblage Structure at

Vieques (Puerto Rico) Compared to St. Croix (U.S. Virgin Islands). Journal of Coastal Research:

Volume 24(4), 1008 – 1021.

Bioluminescence. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/bioluminescence/? ar_a=1

Bioluminescent bay in Vieques Puerto Rico biobay. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2015, from

http://www.golden-heron.com/biobay.html

BRIEF HISTORY OF VIEQUES. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 15, 2015, from

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