Petit Nevis

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Petit Nevis
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Petit Nevis
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Petit Nevis
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Petit Nevis
Geography
Location Caribbean Sea
Coordinates 12°58′27″N61°14′37″W / 12.974031°N 61.243522°W / 12.974031; -61.243522 (Petite Nevis)
Area71 acres (29 ha)
Administration

Petit Nevis is a small, privately owned island in the Grenadines, off the coast of Bequia. [1]

Contents

History and Whaling

Petit Nevis was historically used as a whaling station, where whalers would process their catches. [2] Whaling was a traditional practice in Bequia, passed down through generations.

However, whaling activities ceased on Petit Nevis in 2006 when the owners of the island decided to distance themselves from the practice. The processing of whales was subsequently relocated to Semplers Cay. [3] [4]

While limited subsistence whaling still occurs in Bequia, Petit Nevis itself is no longer used for whaling. [5] The transition away from whaling on Petit Nevis aligns with conservation efforts and legal restrictions aimed at protecting whale populations.

Eileen Corea, the last surviving, direct, legal owner of the island, died in July 2011. The island is now owned by the descendants of the previous owners.

Moonhole and Whale Bone Usage

A small isolationist community called Moonhole on nearby Bequia scavenges whale bones from old sites, including Petit Nevis, for building materials.

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References

  1. Mapcarta, 2018. Petit Nevis, St Vincent. Accessed 2018-03-30.
  2. "Petit Nevis Whaling Station". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  3. Report on Whaling in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (PDF) (Report). International Whaling Commission. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  4. "The Notorious Petit Nevis". Uncommon Caribbean. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  5. "Bequia and Traditional Whaling". Alamy. Retrieved January 31, 2025.