BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS PROTECTED AREAS SYSTEM PLAN 2007-2017 APPROVED JANUARY 2008 National Parks Trust Chairman’s Message The approval of this Protected Areas System Plan is an achievement of national significance and represents the culmination of 27 years of conservation planning and public consultation within the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The development of a national parks system within the BVI began in the 1960s when Joseph R. O’Neal collaborated with U.S. philanthropist Laurance Rockefeller to set aside lands for conservation purposes. Mr. Rockefeller developed Little Dix Bay Resort in 1964 as the BVI’s first major tourist resort and was a pioneer in the Territory for sustainable and environmentally sensitive development. Joseph R. O’Neal and Laurance Rockefeller assisted the BVI to legally provide clearly delineated protected areas that are held in trust for the BVI community. I am especially honoured to serve as Chairman of the National Parks Trust at this time in its history and to participate in the realization of the vision held by my late father, Joseph Reynold O’Neal, under whose leadership as Founding Chairman of the Trust the initial development of a system plan of protected areas for the British Virgin Islands was begun over 47 years ago. Mr. Rockefeller’s insistence on completion of a system plan and his commitment of resources, before his demise, to ensure its realization is a worthy testament to his dedication to the conservation of the natural heritage of these islands. The protected areas within this system plan managed by various governmental agencies include unique geological sites, coastal landscapes, historical sites, sea bird populations, marine habitats, forestry areas and recreational sites. These areas extend throughout the 60 islands and cays in the BVI, representing a total land area of 153.67km², and total marine area of 82,759 km². This system plan provides a framework to manage these terrestrial and marine resources in perpetuity. We aim to ensure the sustainable use of the system of protected areas while fulfilling its conservation objectives and contributing to the economic development of the Territory through support of biodiversity conservation, historical preservation, and recreational activities. The implementation phase of the system planning process will require continuing discussion and collaborative management by the relevant government agencies and all stakeholders. The Trust anticipates that this carefully designed network of protected areas will provide the resiliency necessary to withstand the negative effects of human-induced and natural impacts, such as global climate change, coral disease, oil spills and development. Management of these protected areas will reflect their unique ecological characteristics, existing stakeholder uses and ultimate conservation goals, in collaboration with our community. National Parks Trust Director’s Message Protected Area Management in our Territory is advanced by the passage and approval of the British Virgin Islands System Plan of Protected Areas which heralds a new era of protection for our invaluable natural resources. Since the original study undertaken in 1981 under the aegis of ECNAMP (now CANARI) and the Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour, the National Parks Trust and its partners have endeavoured to ensure its ultimate passage. The Plan creates or refines National Parks, Marine Parks, Fisheries Protected Areas, Fisheries Priority Areas, Protected Landscapes or Seascapes and Multiple Management Areas. As the diversity of areas created implies, we were able to define a system of Protected Areas which will meet a multiplicity of needs whether they are for strict protection, recreation, fishing or a combination of any of these activities. The System Plan rationalises the establishment of a resilient network of areas which support, not only protection of critical habitats such as coral reefs, but also seagrass beds, salt ponds, dry Caribbean forests and mangroves: resources, the protection of which have long been overlooked. Through an extensive process of consultation and refinement, the National Parks Trust and Government departments involved met or travelled to our sister islands of Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke to speak to fishermen, dive operators, owners of charter companies and other users about the system which we have now established. Our dialogue was fruitful, yielding a much stronger plan. The Trust is grateful to the Island Resources Foundation, the estate of the late Laurance Rockefeller and Mr. Lloyd Gardner for their material or technical assistance rendered and all individuals who in some measure have contributed to this day. A hallmark of the System Plan is the extensive coverage of the areas included within it. At least thirty-three percent (33%) of the nearshore environment and more than thirteen percent (13%) of the Territory’s landmass are under some degree of protection using the legal mechanisms contained within the National Parks Act, 2006, Fisheries Act, 1997 and the Physical Planning Act, 2004. This is remarkable and stands as a true testament to the plan’s impact. The plan consolidates in one document, all of the areas which are to be managed for sustainability. The Trust is proud to have spearheaded the passage of the System Plan of Protected Areas. Once fully implemented, the British Virgin Islands will be at the vanguard of countries who have declared that their natural resources are an integral part of their patrimony in tune with the national goals of sustainable development and the preservation of the environment. Joseph Smith Abbott Director P.O. Box 860, 57 Main Street, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands VG 1110 Conservation & Fisheries Department Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour Road Town, Tortola British Virgin Islands Chief Conservation & Fisheries Officer Message It is a great honour and privilege for me to make these brief remarks on the passage of the BVI Parks and Protected Areas System Plan. The System Plan holds a special place in my heart and in my career development. Twenty five (25) years ago, I became involved as a student intern for the BVI Government/Eastern Caribbean Natural Area Management Programme (ECNAMP), under the title BVI Parks and Protected Areas Project where I completed the study of mangroves and critical terrestrial areas on Tortola and Beef Island for inclusion in the System plan. It is extremely gratifying that many of these areas have been included. The establishment of the parks and protected areas system will play a vital role in the biodiversity conservation and sustainable development of our territory and will help to ensure a good quality of life for residents and visitors. It will also ensure the maintenance of an excellent natural environment. I commend the Government of the Virgin Islands, the Ministry of Natural Resources & Labour, and the BVI National Parks for this landmark accomplishment/ Bertrand Lettsome Chief Conservation & Fisheries Officer Approval of this Document Acceptance of this document by Cabinet was conveyed by letter on the 8th of January, 2008 where all areas proposed as shown on pages 29 – 60 were declared as Protected Areas. The Plan was subsequently tabled at the Seventh Sitting of the First Session of the First House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands on the 6th of March 2008 at the House of Assembly Chamber, Road Town, Tortola, Virgin Islands, U.K. Acknowledgement: This document was prepared with the assistance of the Island Resources Foundation under the Skills Enhancement and Strategic Planning “Sandy Cay III” Project. This Plan was prepared under the general guidance of the Director of the National Parks Trust, Mr. Joseph Smith-Abbott, with the able assistance of Mrs. Esther Georges and Mrs. Nancy Woodfield Pascoe. The National Parks Trust extends its appreciation to the Conservation and Fisheries Department and the Town and Country Planning Department for their participation in this process. For bibliographic purposes this document may be cited as: Gardner, Lloyd, Smith Abbott, Joseph and Woodfield-Pascoe, Nancy. 2008. British Virgin Islands Protected Areas System Plan 2007-2017. BVI National Parks Trust. Tortola. January 8, 2008. i TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES..................................................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF MAPS........................................................................................................................................................... iii ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................................................v 1. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................1 1.1 Reasons for Preparation of the System Plan...............................................................................................2 1.2 Legislative and Other Authority for Plan Preparation ................................................................................3 1.3 Process Used for Plan Preparation..............................................................................................................4 2. OBJECTIVES OF THE SYSTEM OF PROTECTED AREAS ............................................................................5 2.1 Types of Protected Areas............................................................................................................................7