St Eustatius National Parks January 2014 Newsletter 1/2014

Inside this Publication...

New endemic species 1 Marine Park activities 2 STENAPA Extra GCFI Annual Conference 3 New Endemic Species on Statia The plight of the iguana 4 In the last edition of STENAPA Extra, we of Gonolobus from St. Eustatius. highlighted the work of Dr. Frank Axelrod Garden improvements 5 from the University of Puerto Rico, who has been collecting and documenting Statia’s flora since 2009. Recent collections from St. Don’t forget… Eustatius, undertaken by the New York Bo- tanical Garden, and by Axelrod and National Park Ranger Hannah Madden, as part of an Guided Hikes: Are available ongoing study of the vascular plant flora of St. Eustatius, have resulted in the discovery Botanical Garden: Check out of a new species, herein described as Gonol- the view from the Lookout obus aloiensis (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoide- Garden Open from sunrise to ae, Gonolobinae). This species has recently sunset. Great for picnics. been described and illustrated by Axelrod and Dr. Alexander Krings in the Journal of Systematic Botany. G. aloiensis is a vine in Find us on Facebook: the milkweed family, named after the Ara- Keep up to date with all the wak name ’Aloi’ for Statia meaning cashew latest happenings—Like our tree, and is endemic to St. Eustatius. It repre- ‘Stenapa St. Eustatius’ and sents the first record of the genus for the ‘Stenapa Youth Nature’ pages! island, and the second endemic species for the island (Statia Morning Glory being the (Above: The fruit and seeds of G. aloiensis) first). Gonolobus aloiensis can be found in humid to wet, evergreen forests from ca. 273–400 metres elevation. The species occurs only on the inner slopes of the Quill volcano. It grows over and among the large boulders formed from the collapse of the walls of the crater. The plant has thus far been found only in the area of a maintained route down from the low point of crater rim to the base of the crater. Since its habitat is difficult to access, it is not at present possi- ble to estimate the extent of the population REMINDER (Above: The flower of Gonolobus aloiensis) of a species that has been collected only three times. Humpback whale Gonolobus is a New World genus compris- season is between ing an estimated 100–150 species. In the The only palpable threats to the plants are: , ten species of Gonolobus were first, the goats that roam about the crater, January and April. recognized by Krings, all endemic to the which, however, may not find the taste of a region. Eight of these species are single is- member of the Gonolobinae to their liking land endemics, whereas only two species and, second, the eruption of the volcano. are known from two or more islands. Gonol- The volcano has not erupted since 400 AD A great place to obus aloiensis is represents the first record of and is considered to be in a state of dor- look for whales is the genus for St. Eustatius. In the course of mancy. If it were to erupt, then the popula- revising Gonolobus in the West Indies, Kings tion of G. aloiensis would be certainly from the lookout studied all specimens available through loan wiped out. Therefore STENAPA will attempt area at the requests from, and visits to various, herbaria. to grow it in the Botanical Garden to en- However, prior to the collections of Boom, sure its preservation. Botanical Garden. Axelrod, and Madden, no record had yet been found of any collection Photos by H. Madden Page 2 STENAPA Extra Focus on Statia Species Marine Activities Five young marine enthusiasts have Some 20 marine biologists and experts Donation successfully completed twelve weeks from neighbouring islands, including of snorkeling skills and marine Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Eustatius Recognizing how important nature ecology lessons that make up and St. Kitts & Nevis, scanned the waters is on St. Eustatius and wanting to STENAPA’s Snorkel Club course. for marine mammals using cameras and help protect it was the basis for a Receiving their certificates on expensive hi-tech binoculars on board project to support STENAPA in its Monday, December 16, 2013 and two large catamarans, and transposed management of the valuable giving the OK sign are Jonell the data onto laptops. They covered the underwater resources of the St. Courtar, Coedy and Tatum Butler, waters of French and Dutch St. Martin/St. Eustatius National Marine Park. Fabian Junior and Tom Piontek. Also Maarten, St. Barths, St. Eustatius, Through the efforts of Ellen Kop, pictured are Snorkel Club leaders and Anguilla. This was the second survey Ben Stiefelhagen and Klaudie Heleen Visser and Annelies van of 2013, with the first being conducted in Bartelink, residents of the European Osch. March. and enthusiastic divers, and Gregory Pieters of Statia, a The children learned about the Marine biologist and team leader Sophie donation of SCUBA gear was beautiful natural world found Bedel explained how the sophisticated delivered to the National Parks office beneath the waters of Statia’s binoculars record the distance of sighted last December. Following a dive trip National Marine Park along with an marine mammals with various angles and to Statia in 2012 by Stiefelhagen and appreciation for the job STENAPA measurements that are later used to Bartelink, Kop wrote an article in does to safeguard the island’s most determine its exact position. That D u t c h d i v e m a g a z i n e precious resource. Snorkel Club information can then be linked to depth, Onderwatersport titled “Hulp Aan begins new courses this month; water temperature, habitat information Caribisch Nederland”, in which she interested parents can contact and so on. They also used a hydrophone described the beautiful diving found STENAPA at the National Parks in the water, stopping every two miles to in the Statia Marine Park and Office to sign up. Our special thanks listen with it. If something interesting was STENAPA’s efforts to safeguard this goes out to Prins Bernhard heard, it was recorded and analyzed wonderful but threatened Cultuurfonds for sponsoring later. STENAPA’s after school activities. St. Barths Reserve Naturelle Director Nicolas Maslach noted that noise pollution from boats is a concern, particularly around Statia, which is an area of particular interest for data collection. He noted that noise from sea traffic affects reproduction among sperm whales, for example. Marine Park Manager Jessica Berkel agreed, stating that there is much tanker traffic around the island, as well as line boats and barges that go back and forth all day. She emphasized that it is a busy area and (Above: Snorkel Club graduates with whales often pass close to shore. environment. their certificates) STENAPA will now do its own marine (Above: Donated items for the MP) mammal abundance counts from 2014. Marine Mammal Survey The data collected at the end of the study Part of the article described how enables participants to revise the maps STENAPA was limited in its ability to Marine mammal experts went on a indicating the diversity and distribution of conduct operations due to a lack of five-day expedition in December to species. functional SCUBA equipment. The study and catalogue the diversity of article asked divers marine species through visual throughout the sightings and the use of acoustic Netherlands and Belgium equipment. The objective of the to donate dive gear to project is to study the diversity and support the management abundance of marine species, their efforts of STENAPA. Kop, geographical distribution, as well as Stiefelhagen and the ecological parameters that Bartelink, together with influence their distribution. In their organization, Get addition, the project will develop Wet Maritiem, were able cooperation between the islands to to collect almost three harmonize protocols, share cubic meters of dive gear resources and reinforce the capacity which will now be used of marine protected area managers by STENAPA staff and to use the scientific protocols to (Above: An Atlantic Spotted Dolphin, volunteers to perform maintenance, better survey and protect marine photo courtesy of Danny Moussa) surveillance, research and mammals. monitoring activities in the Marine Park. Newsletter 1/2014 Page 3 Gulf Coast Fisheries Institute St Eustatius. The two-day workshop Annual Conference was funded by the French Aid Agency and convened by the IUCN EU On 5 November 2013, a group of Among activities proposed are the Overseas Program in collaboration with managers and representatives of creation of a dedicated section of the the UNEP-CEP SPAW Regional Activity the 18 protected areas listed SPAW Newsletter for news from the Center and with support of CaMPAM. under the SPAW (Specially SPAW-listed sites, the production of a All agreed that improving management Protected Areas and Wildlife) brochure, the potential effectiveness to support environmental Protocol of the Cartagena establishment of sister sites, the use resilience, assisting policy makers at Convention gathered at the GCFI of CaMPAM network and training island level for better integrated for the first time to define the tools to support the current listed planning and fostering regional vision, goals, benefits and sites, the expertise of the SPAW-listed activities will help all islands’ societies to activities of a regional MPAs to disseminate knowledge and develop sustainable and effective cooperation program aiming at best practices to other MPAs, and the strengthening the sites that are GCFI conferences and other fora for adaptation strategies and better cope listed under the SPAW Protocol the annual face-to face meetings of with the consequences of climate and using their expertise to managers. All PA managers from the change. improve the management SPAW listed sites who requested In all cases, increasing coastal capacity and SPAW-listing financial support to attend this first development is the common and most process of other PAs. meeting were sponsored by the evident issue, with fisheries The meeting was organized by UNEP-CEP in cooperation with the management another major concern the UNEP-CEP SPAW Secretariat, SPAW RAC. for most MPAs. The importance of its SPAW-RAC and the Caribbean identifying needs at the site, national MPA management Network and and regional levels to better assist MPA Forum (CaMPAM), and was managers, practitioners and decision- attended by protected area makers to raise awareness on the key role of coastal and marine ecosystem managers of Colombia, Cuba, resilience for climate change French West Indies, Dutch adaptation was stressed. MPA Caribbean, Belize, Grenada, managers emphasized the need to use Mexico and the USA, as well as roving teams to conduct biophysical members of the UNEP-CEP SPAW monitoring in all islands, the program and its collaborators. importance of exchanging information, Stenapa’s Director, Steve Piontek, and the involvement of local represented the SPAW listed stakeholders to improve MPA Quill/Boven National Park. management. The tasks of MPA managers’ include climate change adaptation and the need to engage UNEP-CEP SPAW Program Officer (Above: Delegates of the GCFI local fishermen in MPA management, Alessandra Vanzella-Khouri conference) reduce parrotfish fishing and grant provided background and fishing exclusive rights to local fishers context with information on the which, in combination with no-take SPAW Protocol, the protected MPA managers of the areas, will help to restore the islands’ areas listing process and the coral reef resilience and fisheries, so cooperation program for the European Territories in the deteriorated after decades of SPAW-listed sites, highlighting overfishing. The need for sharing Caribbean gather in St. Martin lessons and expertise on coral reef, the benefits of being part of this to exchange ideas on how mangrove and beach restoration was special group. The participants emphasized. contributed with excellent ideas better address climate change to better define the proposed issues Ms. Helen Souan, director of SPAW- mission, goals, specific objectives RAC, expressed the commitment of the and potential activities of the In November 2013, 18 marine SPAW program Regional Activity program and network. They also environmental managers of the French, Center of the UNEP-CEP to partner with expressed the weakness and Dutch and U.K Overseas Territories, and IUCN in developing a program in strengths of their sites and their collaborators from other Caribbean support of facing climate change for all commitment to assist other PAs islands and international organizations, the Caribbean islands. to improve their management gathered in St. Martin to exchange capacity to be able to submit information on their MPA strengths and Concrete actions were recommended to support MPA managers and their nomination to be SPAW- weaknesses and the challenges they face government agencies in developing listed. to address climate change. Director of suitable adaptation strategies. National Parks Steve Piontek represented Page 4 STENAPA Extra Focus on Statia Species The plight of the iguana

Caribbean nature conservation staff, grazers, as well as development, habitat use of audio visual materials and social herpetologists, researchers, policy- loss and hunting. The workshop began media. Assigned delegates created a makers and representatives from the US with a presentation from the Cayman “Caribbean Iguanas” Facebook page Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) met in Islands whose endemic Blue Iguana and Instagram account that anyone San Juan, Puerto Rico, last December in teetered on the brink of extinction, with interested is welcome to join. order to discuss the plight of the re- just 15-25 individuals known to exist in gion's iguanas, many of which are the wild some ten years ago. The Cay- Iguana delicatissima is native to St. Eu- statius and there were once thought to (critically) endangered. A three-day man Islands National Trust implement- workshop was organized by the Islands ed an action plan to save the species, be over 20,000 individuals living on the Conservation Foundation (ICF) which including a 'headstarting' program island. However, since Statia was colo- brought together over 60 delegates where iguana eggs are taken from the nized numbers have plummeted and from across the Caribbean. St. Eustatius wild and incubated. The hatchlings are have continued to drop. There are now National Parks (STENAPA) National Park estimated to be less than 200 individu- kept in captivity until they are big Ranger Hannah Madden was one of enough to fend for themselves, thus als in the wild, and while Statia is free from mongooses and the green iguana, the attendees, whose costs were spon- giving them a headstart in life. The Trust sored by ICF/USFWS. also carried out an island-wide aware- other threats exist such as predation by ness raising campaign which resulted in pet cats, dogs and feral pigs. Lack of suitable nesting habitat is also an issue. The Caribbean is home to 5% of the the iguana becoming a beloved symbol world’s islands but 21% of all species of the island. There are now over 850 threatened. The region also contains blue iguanas in Grand Cayman and the 245 key biodiversity areas and is the site species was downlisted from Critically of 45 animal extinctions to date (IUCN Endangered to Endangered by IUCN, data). Together, the Caribbean islands however threats such as IAS still exist. house 231 Critically Endangered or Endangered species, of which one is Statia’s Lesser Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima). Iguanas are the most endangered taxa in the region and are also the largest remaining native verte- brate on our islands. This species is now found on just ten Caribbean islands. Historically, it is believed to have existed throughout the northern , (Above: A juvenile I. delicatissima being from Anguilla to Martinique. Its range swallowed by one of its natural preda- included Anguilla; Saint-Martin (French tors, a Red-bellied Racer snake) and Dutch); St.-Barthélemy, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbu- Iguanas are natural seed dispersers and da, Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Marti- play a crucial role in the terrestrial eco- nique. It has since been extirpated from system. A healthy iguana population is Saint-Martin, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, also a draw for ecotourism, therefore Nevis, and Marie-Galante. the importance of this animal should (Above: Presentation on the Blue Igua- not be underestimated. Stenapa will na Recovery Plan, by Fred Burton) begin an awareness-raising campaign on Statia over the coming months in order to promote the island's last big- The workshop delegates then split into gest native vertebrate and ensure that it smaller groups where they discussed will still be around for future genera- threats and brainstormed ideas to con- tions to enjoy. serve iguanas on their own islands or as a regional body. Critical issues were identified, including public education/ awareness, IAS, lack of nesting habitat, development, lack of funds and low numbers. One suggestion discussed was the formation of a Caribbean Igua- na Steering Committee to serve a one- year interim term, consisting of seven representatives from across the region, (Above: Juvenile Iguana delicatissima) two from iguana-focused NGOs, two USFWS representatives, and one from the Caribbean Landscape Conservation The aim of the workshop was to discuss Cooperative (holding a non-voting seat the threats faced by native iguanas on on the steering body). Caribbean islands. These threats include invasive alien species (IAS) such as cats, In order to raise public awareness a (Above: Delegates of the workshop), mongooses, dogs, feral pigs, green region-wide campaign will be orga- photo courtesy of B. Naqqi Manco iguanas, invasive plants and roaming nized, including an art competition, a folklore book about iguanas, and the Page 5 STENAPA Extra Focus on Statia Species Page 5 Botanical Garden happenings Renovation of Garden House lar: the three ethics of Earth care, Peo- species of flora and fauna on Statia. ple care and Fair share tie in well with Work is progressing on the refurbish- the mission of the garden: ‘preservation, Since joining the Board of STENAPA, Ira ment of the former intern house at the conservation, education’. was active in a variety of ways. He was garden. The space is being converted on the Botanical Garden Committee, into a new visitor centre that will house Leo is currently working on the renova- attending regular meetings. As Commit- an office, information and displays for tion of the house, working to improve tee member, Ira also attended signifi- cant events at the Garden, including the public, as well as space for teaching. the infrastructure and overhaul the so- ministerial visits, educational activities, The interior walls have been removed lar system. He is also working to install a public awareness events and volunteer to open up the building and allow more food forest on the hill above the house where the tent areas used to be. This awards. Ira also donated a number of natural light and breeze to enter. Roof plants from the Statia Morning Glory will contain fruiting trees and edible rafters have been erected to support Foundation to the Botanical Garden. He the roof. Work on the electrical systems understory planting that will comple- was one of the most social members of will begin in the next few weeks with a ment one another and produce food. the Board, often popping by the Na- new and upgraded solar system to pro- This is will help to support staff, volun- tional Park office to say hello to staff, vide more power. teers and interns at STENAPA with and was always willing to bring some dips to volunteer and staff gatherings. In addition to the renovated house, fresh, locally grown, fruit and vegeta- work on a new and larger tool shed bles with any surplus being available to Ira brought any social function to life behind the current tool shed has been sell at local markets. with his infectious personality, keeping everyone entertained with tales of the started. Once this is up and functional, Look out for more information and up- New York party scene in the 1960s. But the old tool shed will be converted into dates on the projects on the Facebook in private, Ira was thoughtful and a large kitchen that will have facilities page and future newsletters. quiet, content to be at home with his for catered events and allow the Botani- family and dogs. Stenapa extends cal Garden to offer refreshments to visi- its deepest sympathies to his partner tors. Daniel and the rest of Ira's family. He (Left: Leo Bakx, will be sorely missed. This is a very exciting project and will permanaut in take the Miriam C. Schmidt Botanical residence at the Garden to the next level. Botanical Gar- den until March 2014)

The passing of a great man

(Above: House in progress) It is with great sadness that we an- nounce the passing of Mr. Ira Walker, Stenapa's long-time Vice Presi- Permanaut in Residence dent of the Board, who lost his battle Leo Bakx has moved into the Botanical with illness last November. Garden as the new ‘Permanaut in resi- Ira held a BS in Ornamental Horticulture dence’. The project will run for at least and worked at the Brooklyn Botanic the next three years and is designed to Garden for 32 years in his function as introduce more permacultural elements horticulturist. He was curator of coni- into the Botanical Garden and increase fers, taught bonsai and house plant sustainability by introducing some new classes to adults, and was Board Mem- revenue opportunities. ber (1985-1993) and President (1993- 1996) of the Eastern Region of the Since its conception the garden has American Conifer Society. He first came (Above: The late Ira Walker) adopted a green ethos of maintaining to St Eustatius in 1986 and was the the space using organic methods and founding member and President of the environmentally friendly practices. Per- Statia Morning Glory Foundation - es- maculture’s aims and principals are simi- tablished in 2001 to protect endemic STENAPA is an environmental not-for-profit foundation on St Eustatius and was established in 1988.The purpose of the Foundation is the acquisition, St Eustatius National Parks preservation, protection and administration of parcels of land/water on , worthy of preservation, due to; a. its scenic beauty and/or presence of flora and fauna important in scientific and cultural respect or valuable from a geological or historical point of view; b. its purpose to serve for the well being, the education, and the recreation of the Sint Eustatius population as well as that of visitors, all this with due observance of the primary requirement of preservation. STENAPA is legally mandated by the Island Council to manage the St Eustatius National Marine Park, The Quill / Boven National Park and the Miriam Schmidt Botanical Gardens . President: Irving Brown Gallows Bay z/n Vice President: Lower Town Treasurer: Hilda Doek St Eustatius, Secretary: Gene Herbert Dutch Caribbean Phone: +599 318 2884 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] www.statiapark.org

Friends of STENAPA

STENAPA would like to thank the Blue Bead Restaurant Franky”s Bar en Restaurant Golden Era Hotel, Bar, Restaurant & following businesses for supporting us. Duggins Shoppingcentre Their donations make it possible for us Conference facility Lyn”s dream Bakery to continue our mandate of managing The Old Gin House the protected areas of Saint Eustatius. 4piek Travel Agency. Yummy Tummy Bar & Restaurant Each of the following has made a Opa”s snack contribution to the Friends of STENAPA. Chamber of Commerce & Industry St. We would like to encourage all of you Eustatius & Saba. Statiahousingandservices (harbrvieuwapp who receive this newsletter to support Super Burger ice cream and shakes University of St. Eustatius School of Medicine these businesses. Fay Bar & Restaurant (a.k.a. Sonny”s place)

Individuals who join Friends of I.F. Rivers Enterprises N.V. STENAPA will receive the following Original Fruit Tree bar & restaurant discounts from our supporting Scubaqua Dive Centre businesses: Franky”s Bar and Restaurant: 1 regular drink Coolcorner: by lunch or dinner Peso”s Supermarket Golden Era Hotel, Bar, Restaurant and Golden Rock Mini Market Conference Centre: 10 % off dinnerbill higher than $60,- Brown”s car rental & garage

Yummy Tummy Bar and Restaurant: 10 % off Dutch Plumbing Services dinner bill Golden Rock Dive Center Fay Bar & Restaurant: 1 beer or soda with Hai Zhu N.V. Julie Supermarket dinner more than $ 10,- Modentes Tandtechnisch laboratorium I.F. Rivers Enterprises N.V.: 10 % discount on merchandise All Run supermarket.