Hurricanes are the main environmental threat; Hurricane Emily destroyed 70% of the banana crop in 1987. For years, the inaccessibility of St. Vincent and the Grenadines meant that tourism was a minor environmental threat. The attraction of islands such as Mustique was based on their untouched, idyllic landscape. Mustique remains well protected û building has been restricted to 30 houses and further development is limited as fresh water has to be shipped in. On Bequia, the new airport and the associated increase in visitors are seen as a mixed blessing. Commercial whaling is a contentious issue.
