Marine Conservation will be implemented in stages�
PHILIPSBURG--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.
"We have been working very hard for very long to realise marine environmental protection for St. Maarten, and now, with the hard work and guidance of especially Mr. Mike Stamm of the Department of Civil Aviation, Shipping and Maritime Affairs and through the appointment of the Honourable Minister Meyers, Country St. Maarten has its first National Park, a protected area which will not only seek to protect natural marine habitat, but which will also enhance St. Maarten as an environmentally sustainable tourism product," said Bervoets.
He said the biodiversity of St. Maarten waters had been degrading steadily over the last four decades. "The 'eleventh hour,' so to speak, has come and gone," he said.
Man of War Shoal Marine Park also has significant economic importance, as diving in marine parks is on the rise globally and generally accepted by the diving tourist as a "must do" vacation activity.
Bervoets said that with proper protection and management in place, the establishing of a marine protected area would increase the St. Maarten tourism product. Local fisheries also will be enhanced through environmental protection. Research has shown that marine protected areas increase fish populations and fish size of commercial species in nearby fishing grounds.
Man of War Shoal Marine Park also includes Proselyte Reef, which was named after the HMS Proselyte, a 32-gun frigate that struck Man of War Shoal on September 4, 1801. Artefacts such as large anchors, cannons, barrel hoops, cannon balls and pottery are still evident on this popular St. Maarten dive site. The site is also considered a marine archaeological treasure.
Efforts to establish a marine protected area for St. Maarten were started by the Nature Foundation on its founding in 1997. After a considerable length of time, during which numerous stakeholder consultations, meetings and deliberations were held, this important first step has been taken by the government of new Country St. Maarten.
"The Nature Foundation would like to acknowledge the help and support of the Honourable Minister Franklin Meyers, Miguel de Weever, Lou Halley, Mike Stamm, Eddy Johnson, the VROMI Department, Olivia Lake, the late Joseph Vliegen, the late Marjolijn Richardson, Andy Caballero, Paul Ellinger, Beverly Nisbeth, Robbie Cijntje, current board members and, of course, the dedicated staff of St. Maarten Nature Foundation," said Bervoets.
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) has been a continuous source of support and a resourceful partner of St. Maarten Nature Foundation and has contributed greatly towards the realisation of nature conservation in general and marine conservation more specifically for the island.
St. Maarten Nature Foundation will launch a broad-based information campaign in the coming weeks, explaining to the citizens of St. Maarten their newly-established Man of War Shoal Marine Park.
Birmingham City Roberto Mancini Biffy Clyro Liberal-Conservative coalition Australia Francesca Panetta
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