Congratulations to St. Maarten on the establishment of its first national park:
Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Franklin Myers signed a major step towards marine environmental protection for Country St. Maarten on Thursday, December 31, when he approved the establishment of Man of War Shoal Marine Park.
According to St. Maarten Nature Foundation Marine Park Manager Tadzio Bervoets, the establishing of Man of War Shoal Marine Park is in accordance with the Specially Protected Areas of Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol and with the Federal Decree on Maritime Management.
The boundaries of the Marine Park are 17°57.0N to 18°N and 63°01.03W to 63°04.05W, in an area better known as “the Proselyte Reef Complex.” This area includes the island’s most ecologically and economical important marine habitat, including extensive coral reef areas and sea grass beds.
This area was chosen as a priority for official conservation because of its intrinsic ecological, economic and cultural value. Man of War Shoal Marine Park is a home and migratory stopover or breeding site for 3 IUCN Red List Species, 10 CITES Appendix I species and 89 Appendix II species.
It is an area with a relatively healthy population of marine mammals, including migratory whales and dolphins, and numerous species of sharks, sea turtles and fish.
Studies conducted by St. Maarten Nature Foundation have shown that biodiversity in this area, particularly coral reef density, is high and the economic goods and services the ecosystem provides are in excess of US $50 million annually.
Previous plans to develop a Marine Park for St. Maarten were too complex in design, which led to discontent from various stakeholders, especially fishermen who saw their traditional fishing grounds encroached on. The draft ordinance also clashed with the Minister’s responsibilities for ensuring safe waterways and anchorages.
Through various consultations and meetings with the various stakeholders it was decided to implement Marine Conservation in St. Maarten in stages, of which the establishment of Man of War Shoal Marine Park is the first and most important step.
For more information read the fully article from the Daily Herald.
Previously on Green Antilles: St. Maarten’s coral reefs worth many millions of dollars.
[Photo: Dianne Pike]
