The Environmental Awareness Group has rejected claims that it failed to respond to dredging near Shell Beach in Antigua and Barbuda, saying it repeatedly raised concerns with authorities and challenged improper disposal of dredged material.
In a statement addressing comments made by Eli Fuller on Antigua Observer’s “The Voice of the People” program on Oct. 6, 2026, the conservation organization said suggestions that it had remained inactive were inaccurate.
EAG also denied that its involvement in managing Redonda had influenced its response to the dredging activity within the North-East Marine Management Area, known as NEMMA.
“We are particularly concerned by the suggestion that EAG chose not to speak out or was ‘quieted’ because Redonda was designated or given to the organization to manage,” the group said. “This characterization is both false and misleading.”
According to EAG, it contacted the relevant authorities as soon as activity began near Shell Beach, raising concerns and seeking clarification about the work.
The organization said a representative subsequently visited its office to discuss and observe the initial activity. EAG did not identify the representative or the authorities it contacted.
“We were informed that the authorities were aware of the dredging and that there were plans to deepen the channel to accommodate larger vessels,” the statement said.
The group said it continued to raise concerns on multiple occasions, particularly when dredged material was improperly disposed of. In response, it said, authorities either indicated that they were aware of the activities or acknowledged receipt of its complaints.
The statement did not specify the dates of those complaints, describe the disposal practices in detail or indicate what corrective action, if any, followed.
EAG said Fuller’s comments reflected his opinions and disputed the suggestion that the organization had neither spoken nor acted in response to the dredging.
Its strongest objection concerned the suggestion that its role in Redonda’s conservation had discouraged it from addressing another environmental issue.
The organization said Redonda’s designation followed years of advocacy and scientific work that began long before the current dredging activity. Linking that work to its position on Shell Beach, it said, disregarded the history of the conservation effort and undermined the organization’s integrity.
EAG also described the suggestion as dismissive of the work undertaken by its staff, partners and supporters over many years to advance Redonda’s conservation.
Beyond its response to the dredging, the group said it had advocated for stronger protection and management of NEMMA for decades.
That work included feasibility studies involving stakeholders and landowners, along with discussions with government agencies about establishing a smaller reserve within the area. EAG said the reserve would demonstrate what effective, long-term management of the marine protected area could look like.
Those efforts had not always secured full support or sufficient institutional momentum, the organization said, but it maintained that its commitment had continued.
The group emphasized that environmental advocacy can involve both public campaigning and less visible work, including direct engagement with government agencies, technical discussions, monitoring and research intended to influence policy and management.
“These approaches are not mutually exclusive,” EAG said.
It urged the public to distinguish between a lack of public statements and a lack of action.
“There is considerable advocacy, engagement, monitoring, and communication that happens behind the scenes,” the organization said.
EAG said protecting Antigua and Barbuda’s natural environment remained the shared goal and called for environmental decisions that serve the interests of both people and nature.
Source: Antigua News Room EAG Rejects Claims It Failed to Act on Dredging Near Shell Beach.