Avoid These Eight Beaches This Weekend, D.P.N.R. Says

ST. CROIX — Mirroring last weekend, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources is asking residents to steer clear of eight of the territory’s beaches this weekend. However, the new list includes different swimming and fishing locations. Above, residents enjoy Mardi Croix earlier this month at Cane Bay on the north shore, one of the affected beaches.

According to the government agency, Dorsch, Cane Bay and New Fort (Ft. Louise Augusta) are not safe for swimming and fishing on St. Croix. On St. Thomas, Bolongo Bay, Water Bay and Frenchman’s Bay should be avoided this weekend. And on St. John, Cruz Bay and Great Cruz Bay were considered unsafe as well — bringing the total unsafe waters in the territory to eight.

D.P.N.R. says these beaches were considered unsafe because they did not meet water quality standards, as they exceeded the established enterococci bacteria threshold.

Even so, D.P.N.R. cleared dozens of beaches territory-wide as safe for swimming and fishing.

On St. Croix, the following beaches were considered safe: Stoney Ground, Protestant Cay, Buccaneer, Cramer Park, Frederiksted Public Beach, Pelican Cove (Comorant), Shoy’s, Rainbow, Chenay Bay, Princess (Condo Row), Princess (Condo Row), Grapetree Bay and Halfpenny.

On St. Thomas, these are the safe swimming and fishing locations: Lindquist, Coki Point, Bluebeards, Secret Harbor, Sapphire, Hull Bay, Magen’s Bay, Lindbergh Bay, Brewer’s Bay  and Vessup Bay.

And on St. John, D.P.N.R. cleared Oppenhiemer, Johnson Bay and Frank Bay.

The government agency warns that high levels of enterococci bacteria and turbidity may be caused by runoff due to heavy rains, heavy marine vessel traffic, high wave activity near the shoreline and irresponsible recreational use, among other factors. It added that runoff can consist of sediment, pesticides, animal feces and oil and grease, all of which are harmful to the waters of the territory.

And even while D.P.N.R. continues to monitor the islands’ waters, the agency stressed that residents should use their own discretion for fishing or swimming at the cleared beaches. If the waters appear muddy or murky or have foul odors, do not swim or fish, according to the release.

For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 340-773-1082.

Correction: February 21, 2016

A previous version of this article, because of a text error, mentioned Cane Bay Beach as being located on the south shore, when it’s actually located on the north shore. The article has been updated to reflect the correct information.