AUDIO INCLUDED IN THIS STORY: On Friday the 19th of August the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication the Honorable Mr. Franklin Meyers took the historical step in marine environmental protection. The Minister signed the Management Contract between Country St. Maarten and the St. Maarten Nature Foundation for the management of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park.
Pictured above is Mr. Tatzio V., who is also speaking in the audio below
Nature Park Ceremony by PearlStudio
The boundaries of the Marine Park are between 18 degrees North and 17 degrees – 57.0 N and 63 degrees -01.03 W and 63 degrees -04.05 W, is 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 to be a priority for official conservation because of its intrinsic ecological, economic and cultural value. The Man of War Shoal Marine Park is a home and migratory stop over 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, numerous species of shark, sea turtles and numerous fish species.
Studies conducted by the St. Maarten Nature Foundation have shown that biodiversity in this area, particularly coral reef density, is high and the economic goods and services which the ecosystem provides are in excess of fifty million dollars annually. The establishing of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park is also in accordance with the Specially Protected Areas of Wildlife (SPAW) Protocol and with the Federal Decree on Maritime Management.
An economic valuation study of St. Maarten’s coral reef ecosystem has placed the monetary value at close to US$58 million in contributions to the economy of the country from tourism and fisheries. The Minister of Economic Affairs says the contributions made is very important especially the dive tourism sector and eco-tourism which is a priority area for Government. The Minister added that the signing of the agreement with the Nature Foundation demonstrates Governments commitment to the environment and the beginning of more to come with respect to nature conservation.
Minister Meyers says the island is rich in natural resources above and below the water and that the trend will be to work closely with stakeholders in developing additional nature conservation areas that will protect areas for current and future generations to enjoy and which also is a plus for the promotion of the island as a tourist destination especially eco-tourism.
Previous plans to develop a Marine Park for St. Maarten were too complex by design which led to discontent with various stakeholders, especially fishermen who saw their traditional fishing grounds being encroached upon. Through various consultations and meetings between the various stakeholders it was decided to implement Marine Conservation on St. Maarten in stages, of which the establishment of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park is the first and most important step.
"We have been working very hard for a very long time to realize Marine Environmental Protection for St. Maarten, and now, with the hard work and guidance of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications, and through the appointment of the Honorable 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", commented Nature Foundation Marine Park Manager Tadzio Bervoets.
The biodiversity of St. Maarten waters has been steadily degrading over the last four decades. The "eleventh hour" so to speak, has come and gone. The man of War Shoal Marine Park also has significant economic importance as diving in Marine Parks is globally on the rise and generally accepted by the diving tourist as a "must do" vacation activity. With proper protection and management in place the establishing of a Marine Protected Area will add additional value to the countries tourism product. Local fisheries will also 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.
With the official appointment of the Nature Foundation as the Management Authority for the Marine Park the Foundation will be able to collect user fees for the Management of the Marine Park and will also be able to increase its research, law enforcement and patrolling activities. In the past the Nature Foundation used to act as the unofficial authority for the Marine Park but now the organization will have the opportunity to levy fines in case of infringements of the laws pertaining to the Marine Park with regards to illegal fishing and other illegal activities within the Marine Park.
As mentioned the Man of War Shoal Marine Park also includes Proselyte Reef, which was named after the HMS Proselyte, a 32 gun frigate which struck the "man of War Shoal" on September 4th 1801. Artifacts 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 Archeological treasure.
Efforts to establish a Marine Protected area for St. Maarten were started by the Nature Foundation upon 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 Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications of new country St. Maarten.
The Nature Foundation would like to acknowledge the help and support of the Honorable Minister Franklin Meyers and his Cabinet, Mr. Miguel de Weever, Mr. Lou Halley, Mr. Mike Stamm, Mr. Len Dijkstra, Mrs. Lucy Gibbs, Mr. Eddy Johnson, the VROMI Department, Mr. Keith Franka, Ms. Olivia Lake, the late Mr. Joseph Vliegen, the late Mrs. Marjolijn Richardson, Andy Caballero, Paul Ellinger, Beverly Nisbeth, Robbie Cijntje, current Board Members and of course the dedicated staff of the St. Maarten Nature Foundation.
The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) has been a continuous source of support and a resourceful partner of the St. Maarten Nature Foundation and has contributed greatly towards the realization of Nature Conservation in general and Marine Conservation more specifically for the island. In the coming weeks the St. Maarten Nature Foundation will launch a broad based information campaign explaining to the citizens of St. Maarten about their newly established Man of War Shoal Marine Park.