Welcome

Dennis Jones is a Jamaican-born international economist, who has lived most of the time in the UK and USA, and latterly in Guinea, west Africa. He moved back to the Caribbean in 2007. This blog contains his observations on life on this small eastern Caribbean island, as well as views on life and issues on a broader landscape, especially the Caribbean and Africa.

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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Can Bajans Become Bounty Hunters?

Without making light of the efforts of the local police, people are asking how is it that reward money can be put up so quickly, and it seems effectively, to help solve an attack on a Canadian tourist. Some have pointed a finger that shelling out money to those who provide 'useful information' leading to an arrest did not seem to be forthcoming in the case of former Chief Immigration Officer Kenrick Hutson, who was shot dead while sitting on his patio on the night of December 28, 2007 (see David "Joey" Harper's comments in the Advocate on March 28, 2009). Mr. Harper wrote "I am concerned that this man – whose only crime was to sit in the comfort of his patio – that his life was not worth a twenty thousand dollar reward for the apprehension of his killer." My recollection, however, is that a reward was in fact offered by the Hutson family and police (B$ 5000) soon after the crime, but it seems that this did not tempt anyone with knowledge of the crime to share that for a bounty (see report). Is part of the explanation that economic times are harder now or the larger inducement (B$ 20,000) sufficient to get someone to come forward?

Judging by early reactions to the recent introduction of Crime Stoppers to Barbados, local people are very concerned that their anonymity will be compromised if they come forward to give tips about crimes.

However, bounty hunting is not working universally. Barbadians are now on the trail of other villains, but at a real snail's pace. Giant African snails have a price on their heads, albeit a mere 50 cents a pound. Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture began a one-off bounty programme in an effort to collect and burn the varmints. But, so far, according to Minsiter Haynesley Been, the take up has been limited and the bounty will be extended. In fact at an exercise mounted at the weekend, only Ministry of Agriculture officials crawled out of their shells to participate in a 'community snail hunt and burning'. The Minister is calling for better coordination. While it may be that few are interested in overcoming their fears and squeamishness about the snails and getting down to some sliming, one has to wonder if the price is right. People may grumble about the destruction caused by the chomping snails, but until real food is seen to be eaten by the snails, I suspect most people will remain typically 'all talk and little action'. Where have I heard that before?

But perhaps the crucial incentive is just around the comment. Already, I see a comment that "It is not good for the tourism industry because some snails are already on some hotel compounds". Please don't let it be that the snails are only a threat when tourists are at risk. But shouldn't the hotels be figuring out how to get them from the lawns onto the visitors' plates. "Escargots, monsieur?"

Meanwhile, locals keep doing what they were encouraged to and go snail baiting. But, bait is not the best way, because when they die this way adult snails can each eject up to 1200 eggs (see Advocate report). The empty shells left behind by poisoning could also then pose another problem as they collected rain water and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Will we ever win the fight against slime?

2 comments:

iriebrown said...

These African snails have been a problem in B'dos for many years now. It's just that they have found themsleves in every parish these days so now Bajans/Government can't help but notice them. And now have to address the problem with these pests.

This type of snail invaded our island via cargo at the Bridgetown port poss. about 6 or 7 years ago (but it could be more). Initially they were only around that area but as time has passed they have invaded more areas. Tell why we couldn't have attacked the problem in the early stages? We were advised through the media that there were a bit like 'locusts'and would have the capability of demolishing a field in a night(if their numbers were allowed to increase). But nothing was done.

Bajans are a bit like the ostrich sticking his head in the sand and hoping the problem would just go away. (Please, before I get any comments about my nationality, I am a pure bred Bajan too).

I have been fighting them in my mother's garden for years to no avail. Her next door neighbour has am empty field at the bottom of his garden that he has just allowed to run wild so the snails used to go and hide there and come back again when the front was clear.

Yes I have to say I used the pellets that we obtained from the Agricultural stations but they didn't always have the right strength pellets. I have been informed that sometimes they used to buy the pellets that were more easily washed away with rain instead of the more potent, more hardy pellets that were more resistant to rainfall/watering.

Who would make a decision like that...it's a waste of money, and quite actually my time too.

So we want more money to collect them? Exactly how much do people want in order to cajole them to save 'their fields and hills'!

MarbleHost said...

Meanwhile, locals keep doing what they were encouraged to and go snail baiting. But, bait is not the best way, because when they die this way adult snails can each eject up to 1200 eggs (see Advocate report). The empty shells left behind by poisoning could also then pose another problem as they collected rain water and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.