CATEGORY:SPECIAL REPORT --------------------------- By Trevor Thwaites Inside Grenada correspondent Sunday January 21,2007 ST.GEORGE, Grenada: No shots were fired, nor were there any violence. However, the authorities may have to step in to preserve the peace and serenity of the famous Grand Anse Beach and avoid what could well turn out to be a battle between sea-bathers and fishermen. It was an ugly site Friday morning, when early morning bathers, including a number of visitors, had their pleasure and leisure rudely interrupted by about half a dozen fishermen. Their nets, normally much higher up and closer to the old Silver Sands Hotel, some how found their way close to the Camerhogne area. The area is probably the most popular and busiest of the famous Grand Anse Beach. Early morning bathers were forced lower down the beach by a boat from the fishermen carrying some of their equipment and the nets that threatened to entangle with them. Many were outraged at the development. Some left the water, while others, who were a bit late for the morning swim, had to wait for the fishermen to complete the catch. “What’s happening?” “Isn’t there law around here?” “This should be reported”, were among the comments from the people who were on the beach. The Ministry of Tourism, has expressed disgust over the issue. “The Grand Anse Beach is not a commercial area and should not be used for fishing. It is to be used for bathing”, a clearly upset Minister of Tourism, Brenda Hood, said after learning about the incident, adding that it was not the first time that such an incident had occurred. A recent report published in the London Telegraph said that the Grand Anse Beach is probably the best in the world suited for families. The report has delighted local officials, who have pledged to develop the facility as a unique part of the country’s tourism product. Minister Hood said that all will be done to enhance the beach that was a few years ago rated number 12 in world. She sounded a warning to the population. “No fishing and no dogs are allowed on the beach even though they are tended. The area must be keep clean. We need to improve the status and main the legacy that our forefathers have left us”, the minister said. The Department of Fisheries says that there is no official law that bars fishing on Grand Anse Beach. However, Fisheries Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Justine Renee, said that a management team was set up four years ago to regulate the use of the beach. He indicated that the plan was to demarcate areas for bathing, vending, water sports and fishing. “The plan has not been implemented and we will be working with the Ministry of Tourism and stakeholders to implement it”. The tourism minister said that they would do all in their power to ensure that the Grand Anse Beach is declared a no fishing zone. “We would take this to parliament to have it enacted. We need to maintain the legacy”, Senator Hood said. Renee also pointed out that the Fisheries Department is toying with the idea of making Grand Anse a Marine Protected area. “We are trying to zone the area and oversee the effective operations of the beach”, he told reporters.