|
Presents BUILDERS OF TORTOLA |
Clive Petrovic Originally from the USA (Florida and Ohio for the most part) Clive (along with his family) now resides just off the western extension of the Ridge Road -- although he lived for much of his thirty two years in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) on sailing yachts – having arrived here in 1978. Clive is a university-trained zoologist and ecologist, having begun his academic career at the University of Miami in Florida, before moving to Ohio where he graduated from The Ohio State University with Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, as well as being ABD (All But Dissertation) in the PhD programme at the Columbus campus.
Googling and talking to Clive Petrovic shows that he has led a very involved and complex life. Apart from collecting academic distinctions and a wealth of academic and practical knowledge about a variety of Caribbean birds, fish, and environments Clive also earned a Captain’s license and Scuba Instructor certification on his way to the BVI - deciding to put quality of life concerns ahead of financial goals. After teaching in Florida, he dropped out of the academic life and worked his way around many of the islands in the Caribbean, arriving in the late 1970s in St.Thomas to visit some friends. Before long was working as a diving instructor for Annie and Duncan Muirhead (the owners of Trimarine, a BVI company) on Misty Law a 56-foot trimaran. He met his (now) wife Amanda Baker in the BVI and they spent nearly two decades working on charter boats – including their own, the 47-foot Gypsy Wind. He acted at one point as President of the Charter Yacht Society, which was founded in 1982 by the independent owners of crewed yachts in the BVI as an advocate and organizer of the industry.
His ecological training and skills were then recognised by the BVI government and he was asked to set up a curriculum for the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Marine Studies, and then be full-time head of the resulting department and the Centre for Applied Marine Studies in 1993. He was involved in this programme for a dozen years before it was (regrettably in Clive’s opinion) phased out (in 2004-05) when the College redefined its aims and goals. Since then he has been much more active in environmental research, writing, education and consulting, and marine tourism through his company Econcerns Ltd. Clive’s name seems to be constantly in the news commenting on current events that affect the environment. He has completed several studies of on human impacts on the marine environment, of conch, of coral reef protection, and of aquaculture, as well as being closely involved with monitoring bird populations and leading ornithological field trips. (One web source says he has banded over 10,000 birds.) He and his company have consulted and commented on well-known studies of Smugglers’ Cove, Oil Nut Bay (Virgin Gorda), Mosquito Island and Little Jost Van Dyke as well as other parts of the BVI. Demonstrating the breadth of his knowledge and interests, he also has a definitive article on the secret life of the local Zebra Butterfly (BVI Welcome Tourist Guide, Vol. 30, No. 5 - August / September 2001), and has contributed to a project on the Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis).
There have been a lot of changes in the BVI over the past thirty years. As an environmentalist Clive has noticed the increase in the human impact on the islands, both above and below the surface of the sea, with a massive increase in the number of people, vehicles, and traffic, as well as buildings, roads, marinas and other elements of the contemporary island infrastructure. However, through his work on yachts, through the College, and via his new company he has observed a growing accountability on the part of government with respect to environmental concerns. This was typified recently by the events surrounding the potential resort and golf course development on Beef Island where environmental challenges came to the fore – and were heeded by the country’s leaders.
In addition to tourism, financial services have become prominent in the BVI over the past two decades, and although not directly affecting the environment for the most part, this ‘pillar of the economy’ has had many ‘collateral effects’ by raising the level of living of people in the country, and by raising many peoples’ expectations for the future - perhaps unreasonably given the recent challenges experienced by this industry. At times these challenges may have accidentally increased tensions between different groups in the BVI.
Clive also notes that his first BVI career in the charter yacht industry helped to change the face of tourism in the BVI – by providing the obvious sailing opportunities, but also by putting more money into the economy, which has then led to more services and facilities such as restaurants and stores. This industry has also become more environmentally and culturally aware and involved over the years (in part explaining the foundation and objectives of the Charter Yacht Society). These developments have been all the more challenging as tourist expectations have risen over the years (for instance a demand for air conditioning on the yachts, as well as in hotels and spas) and this has raised the bar for the tourism operators.
Clive’s’ contributions to the BVI are chiefly in the areas of environmental awareness and education, as well as providing his technical expertise. He notes that he has observed an interesting blending of cultures in the BVI during his years in the islands, and feels that, although challenging, this has mostly been a positive influence – despite the fact that it may have led to a loss of some cultural identity and traditions. He has few regrets with respect to his time in the BVI, although he feels the cancellation of the marine programme at HLSCC was a lost opportunity for the BVI to have a regional and international significance in this area research and teaching. Still only in his early 60s, Clive has no plans to change his life dramatically for the foreseeable future.
Draft of February 25th 2010 of interview of February 19th 2010.
Builders of Tortola Guide