The Navy claims that Vieques is a vital part of the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Training Facility. The island's remoteness keeps the bombers away from commercial flights that might interfere with excercises. The island is acessible, close to a major base and convenient. The Navy has also rented out the facilities to NATO forces whenever schedules permit. But the island has an unemployment rate of almost 50 percent by most conservative estimates.
Fishing is the only industry with any viable economic significance.
The residents of Vieques would like to develop ecotourism, exploiting the islands endangered species, such as sea turtles and manatees and the world's three most beautiful phosphorescent bays. But the immediate effects of the bombings in Vieques are the destruction of delicate ecosystems which support hundreds of species of plants and animals that are killed instantly upon the direct impact of the projectiles. Studies have indicated that the bombings have seriously contaminated the environment. Over the years, the Navy has dropped many thousands of bombs on Vieques, never warning residents when the exercises would begin. By their own admission, several years ago the Navy dropped Agent Orange near the town.