![]() ![]() You know, so the restoration works and we can start seeing those beautiful colors flourishing under the sea once again. Everyone must do their part.” Photo: Marine Biologist Tim LamontĪnd, while there are several different Coral Restoration Projects currently underway in the USVI, it is imperative that we all start keeping these chemicals out of our waters now. safer alternatives such as mineral sunscreens. But equally important to laws is building awareness of the dangers of these chemicals vs. “This ban protects the environment, our health and our livelihood. This simply cannot be,” said Senator Janelle Sarauw, a sponsor of the bill. “These chemicals are at 40 times acceptable levels in some of our territorial waters. But, now we all know and onward and upward…Let’s start fresh in the right direction! But, I’m willing to bet that the 2 million plus annual visitors to the USVI each year who are, perhaps unknowingly, sporting these reef toxic chemicals probably have not helped over the years. Now, I’ll agree, some of this may likely be from the impacts of storms, some from the rising water temperatures and climate change. Why? Because these chemicals, according to the legislation, “have significant harmful impacts on the Virgin Islands marine environment and eco system.”Īnd, if you snorkeled here 20 years ago and then again more recently, you have probably noticed the amount of dead or dying coral surrounding our shorelines. So, let’s take a look at some sunscreens that are safe for you AND safe for our sea life!įirst, let’s take a closer look at this act that went into effect on March 30, 2020.īasically, it outlaws the use/possession, import, sale and/or distribution of any “sunscreen” product that contain any of the O words listed above. ![]() And, hey, if it isn’t good for the reefs, it probably isn’t good for you. But, you COULD run into a hefty fine ($1000 for the first offense and $2000 for the second!). Now, no one is necessarily going to hunt you down and throw you in jail for having a bottle of Coppertone in your backpack. It is unlawful to use, possess, import or sell a sunscreen containing any of these active ingredients in the territory. ![]() Sunscreen containing the toxic 3 O’s (oxybenzone, octinoxate and octocrylene) is actually illegal in the US Virgin Islands thanks to legislature that was passed in March of 2020. In addition to oxybenzone and parabens, the list includes octinoxate, octocrylene, triclosan, para-aminobenzoic acid (known as PABA), camphor, and microbeads or other small bits of plastic.Good Morning, Good Morning! Today, I want to touch on a topic that MANY of you have been asking about.
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