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DIAGNOSTIC AND PRE-FEASIBILITY COASTAL CONSERVATION STUDY (1983-1984)

Summary:
The 1983-1984 Diagnostic and Pre-Feasibility Coastal Conservation Study was the first major project work executed by the Unit. The study was designed to determine and assess the causes of coastal erosion in Barbados (west and south coasts) and to make recommendations on remedial strategies. This work was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

The causes of erosion in the study area were determined to be:

• Poor water quality resulting from surface water, ground water discharge into the nearshore area
• Stress of the fringing reefs found in the nearshore as a result of the poor water quality
• Natural phenomena (e.g. hurricanes and winter storm swell events)
• Poorly designed and badly placed sea defense structures

Recommendations were also proposed regarding the types of options that could be used as conservation approaches, potential mechanisms to recover cost and the need to retain the project unit to continue its role in the monitoring of the coastline.

This study served as a forerunner to important research on the causes of beach erosion.