WILLEMSTAD — Unique Curaçao, Willy Maal, the institute Project Development and Flamingo Exploitation Company seriously object the draft-regulation which implies that the coastal management ends up in the hands of Carmabi.
In particular, the monopoly position, the levying policy goes against the grain with the opponents. There is an alternative plan for nature conservancy and nature protection by the governmental departments Vomil and LVV.
The plan of the (LVV) departments Agriculture, Cattle Breeding & Fisheries and the department of Public Health and Social Development (Vomil) have permanent development as their keynote and the marine environment regulation of Bonaire as their basis.
In his objection, Maal who is the owner of Oostpunt remarks that the draft-regulation also regards private terrains, amongst which his own. He writes, "That such conflicts with the right of ownership". Maal, as interested party specifically wants to be involved in the plans for new regulations, in particular in the advisory committee. He is of the opinion that Carmabi actually receives carte blanche with the proposed authorities and levying of monies.
The Project Development Foundation especially protects the interests of Sta. Barbara (Hyatt), Jan Sofat (Spanish Water Resort), Oostpunt, Caracas Bay (Palapa Resort) and Jan Thiel (Apna) and considers such a unilateral draft as well. Moreover, the policy of Carmabi had led to friction and severe damage in the past. In this, the institute refers to the conflict on the development of Oostpunt and the Island Territorial Development Plan.
Levying monies
All opponents are of the opinion that the levying monies should not end up in the treasury of the management institute but in a fund as the levying institute also issues permits. This could lead to a conflict of interest.
Unique Curaçao, which personally manages a number of nature areas, remarks that the management of Daaibooi Bay and Shete Boka are not running very smoothly and prefers the alternative draft of LVV as well, especially since it regards an integral plan for protection of the nature on land as well as in the sea.
All opponents are of the opinion that the levying monies should not end up in the treasury of the management institute but in a fund as the levying institute also issues permits. This could lead to a conflict of interest.Unique Curaçao, which personally manages a number of nature areas, remarks that the management of Daaibooi Bay and Shete Boka are not running very smoothly and prefers the alternative draft of LVV as well, especially since it regards an integral plan for protection of the nature on land as well as in the sea.
The current legal stipulation on conservancy and protection of the marine nature goes back to 1976. This Reef regulation has been adjusted a few times during the past twenty years. Amongst others, the protection of turtles and the ban on spear fishing had been added. The need for subsequent protection is enormous and demanded by international rule.
The quality of the underwater nature is deteriorated.
Conservancy measures, additional rules and the implementation of utilization should restrict such. Moreover, it could be stimulating for tourism, as Bonaire and Saba had discovered. "The explanatory memorandum of the draft Island Regulation Marine Nature Conservancy and Protection states, "These marine parks have acted as model parks since years.
First, the draft regulation sketches a marine plan in accordance with the policy. The initial line regards the protection of endangered species. The draft further provides for the conservancy and the protection of areas by assigning parks. The Board of Governors and the Island Council are the decisional organs. The draft suggests a Committee Marine Nature Conservancy and Protection as advisory institute. The management institute (Carmabi) is the implementing organ.
The Board of Governors endorses the conservancy essence in the plan Curaçao Marine Management Zone. After all, the coral reef, mangroves, sea grass fields, saliñas and inland bays are under extreme pressure due to over-fishing, pollution and coastal development. A permanent use and conservation of these eco-systems would lead to economical advantages. Healthy reeves yield many fish and recreational possibilities.
Fish mortality
Even though many kinds of fish are diminishing or even becoming extinct, the new regulation does not include instructions for the fisheries as initially the fishery legislation regards the guaranteeing of a nourishment source. The memorandum states, "In most cases, the economical minimum of the catch does not coincide with a biological minimum in the nature protection". On the other hand, the memorandum remarkably does mention the protection of crab, kiwa en karkó ‘perhaps in the near future’.
The current and the new Reef Conservancy Regulation both regulate the protection of varieties and the spear fishing ban, but the new regulation includes the legal basis for permanent conservancy and the relevant financial support. However, coral protection is specifically included as this species forms the basis for the reef eco-system, reproduces slowly and is extremely sensitive to stress. Therefore, damage and/or destruction should be avoided as much as possible
User pays
In order to bear the costs for the management, the draft regulation obligates the user to contribute to conserve these natural resources. "The introduction of economical principles on the approach of nature conservancy and protection is an acceptable method worldwide."
The main task of the management institute will consist of the daily management of the marine nature. Administration, financial management, patrols and judicature: education and information, research and monitoring, policy advice, and maintenance are considered sub tasks.
For this purpose, Carmabi requests the means and facilities such a visitors center, buoys, boats, motorbikes and vehicles. Regarding personnel, the institute requires a manager, six rangers, a research- and monitoring coordinator, administrative workers and three assistants for the visitors’ center.
The balance between the Board of Governors and the management institute Carmabi will be determined in a management agreement.
Taxes
The relevant taxes are owed to the management institute. The income is allocated for the conservancy of the marine park and the protection of the marine nature.
– admission fee for marine park 26.25 guilders per person per year
– permit for exploitation of diving operation 50 guilders per year
– exemption for scientific and educational projects 150 guilders per year or
75 guilders per project
– exemption for construction- or dredging activities 500 guilders per project