ST. MAARTEN MARINE PARK MANAGEMENT PLAN 2007

St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

St. Maarten Marine Park Management Plan 2006 Front cover Photograph Credit: Earth Sciences and Image analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Centre (http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov)

Duncan MacRae, Director. Nature Foundation St. Maarten 22 Rosemundy, St Agnes, Cornwall, UK ! PO Box 863, Philipsburg, St Maarten. [email protected] ! www.cozm.co.uk [email protected] www.naturefoundationsxm.org

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Contents

1 SINT MAARTEN: BACKGROUND INFORMATION...... 13

1.1 Location ...... 14

1.2 History and Culture ...... 16 History ...... 16 Culture...... 19

1.3 Population ...... 20

1.4 Politics and Economics...... 22 Politics ...... 22 Economy ...... 22 Economic development ...... 23

1.5 Climate ...... 26

1.6 Geology and Geomorphology ...... 29

1.7 Oceanography...... 31

1.8 Terrestrial Habitats, Flora and Fauna ...... 33

1.9 Marine habitats, flora and fauna ...... 35 Open Water ...... 38 Seabed - Seagrass ...... 40 Seabed – Sand and Algae ...... 41 Seabed – Coral reefs ...... 42 Intertidal -Beaches and sand dunes...... 51 Intertidal - Mangroves ...... 54 Intertidal - Rocky shores...... 57

1.10 Special interest habitats and species ...... 60 Habitats of interest ...... 60 Species of Interest...... 61

1.11 Human use of the Marine Environment ...... 64 Tourism and recreation...... 64 Fisheries...... 65 Shipping...... 65

1.12 References ...... 66

2 MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT ...... 67

2.1 Introduction...... 68

2.2 St Maarten Marine Park...... 69

2.3 Statement of Significance and Values ...... 71 Statement of significance...... 71 A summary of values associated with St. Maarten Marine Park...... 72

iii St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan 2.4 Vision, Mission and Goals...... 74

2.5 Stakeholders...... 75

2.6 Stakeholder Input ...... 76 Introduction ...... 76 Meeting Feedback ...... 77 Questionnaire input...... 81 St Maarten Tourism Master Plan Report input ...... 83

2.7 Uses of SXM MPA ...... 85

2.8 Zoning...... 86 Zoning description ...... 86 Zone location ...... 88

2.9 Governance...... 90 Board...... 90 Institutional arrangements ...... 90 St. Maarten Marine Park Ordinance ...... 91 Other relevant legislative and policy tools ...... 94 Permits ...... 95 Rules and guidelines ...... 96

2.10 Physical Resources ...... 98 Mooring programme details...... 99

2.11 Human Resources ...... 100

2.12 Issues ...... 101 Global issues and natural disasters...... 101 Historical issues...... 102 Current Management issues ...... 102 Current ‘external’ issues ...... 104 Summary of issues ...... 112

3 MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 113

3.1 Marine Park Management Activities ...... 114 Key Issues and Actions ...... 115 Work schedule for 2006/2007...... 119 Planned Activities...... 123

3.2 Recommendations ...... 128

3.3 Appendices ...... 131

4 ADDITIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS...... 132

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Figures Figure 1: St. Maarten and the other Dutch Caribbean islands...... 14 Figure 2: The main physical features of St. Maarten ...... 15 Figure 3: St. Maarten’s Flag...... 19 Figure 4: Population density of the Dutch Caribbean Islands...... 20 Figure 5: Movements by the permanent population to and from St Maarten...... 20 Figure 6: Population Pyramids for St. Maarten from 1995 and 2005...... 21 Figure 7: Expected growth of tourism and the resident population...... 21 Figure 8: The contribution of tourism related activities to St Maarten's GDP...... 22 Figure 9: Contribution of tourism to employment on St. Maarten...... 23 Figure 10: Average Precipitation and Temperatures...... 26 Figure 11: Wind rose...... 26 Figure 12: The Antilles Current...... 31 Figure 13: Schematic diagram of a typical tropical coastal seascape...... 37 Figure 14: Seagrass succession diagram...... 40 Figure 15: The vertical distribution of large animals in mangrove forests...... 54 Figure 16: Cruise tourist growth 1999 – 2005 ...... 64 Figure 17: Zonation of St Maarten Marine Park...... 89 Figure 18: Results of the Management Success Project threat Analysis ...... 104 Figure 19: Stakeholder groups expressing concern over issues and threats ...... 106

Tables Table 1: Hurricanes and tropical storms to affect St. Maarten since 1960 ...... 27 Table 2: Typical Mangrove zonation in St Maarten...... 54 Table 3: Zonation on Rocky shores...... 58 Table 4: Internationally endangered species...... 61 Table 5: Significant species on St. Maarten...... 63 Table 6: Commercially targeted species and market prices (Dilrosun, 2004) ...... 65 Table 7: General values of Coral Reefs, Mangroves and Seagrasses...... 73 Table 8: Stakeholders of St Maarten Marine Park...... 75 Table 9: Stakeholder consultation methods...... 76 Table 10: Stakeholder questionnaire feedback...... 82 Table 11: Uses of St Maarten Marine Park ...... 85 Table 12: Zonation permissions ...... 86 Table 13: Board members ...... 90 Table 14 : Institutional arrangements...... 90 Table 15: Other internal arrangements...... 90 Table 16: International treaties and conventions relevant to St Maarten Marine Park...... 94 Table 17: Permitting procedures ...... 95 Table 18: Physical resources available to St Maarten Marine Park...... 98 Table 19: Marine Park Staff...... 100 Table 20: Threat classification grading (see text for scoring explanation) ...... 105 Table 21: Issue/Threat identification from stakeholder consultation...... 106 Table 22: A hierarchical list of the issues identified by the threat analysis identified...... 107 Table 23: Information sources within St Maarten Marine Park ...... 128 Table 24: Outreach strategy for St Maarten Marine Park ...... 130

Boxes Box 1: Comments on the general reef health of St. Maarten by T.J. Goreau (2006) ...... 49 Box 2: Definitions of key terms used in section 2 ...... 68 Box 3: Significance and values explanation ...... 71 Box 4: Statement of Significance...... 71 Box 5: Key questions asked in the stakeholder questionnaire...... 81 Box 6: Tourism Master Plan Key findings ...... 83 Box 7: Tourism Master Plan Recommendations...... 83 Box 8: Tourism Master Plan Summary ...... 84 Box 9: Key Issues facing St Maarten Marine Park...... 112

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Images

Image 1: ‘Salt picking’ at the Great Salt Pond St. Maarten in the 1920’s...... 18 Image 2: Coastal development at Cupecoy / Mullet Beach...... 25 Image 3: Lesser Antillian Fruit Bat ...... 34 Image 4: Dorado / Coryphaena hippurus ...... 38 Image 5: A mixture of Turtle Grass and Manatee Grass...... 41 Image 6: The beach and dunes at Guana Bay...... 51 Image 7: A Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) at Oyster Pond...... 55 Image 8: Panoramic view of the great salt pond ...... 60 Image 9 : Brochures and leaflets used by Nature Foundation St Maarten...... 96

Image Group 1: Colours of St. Maarten’s annual Carnival...... 19 Image Group 2: Hillsides of St Maarten facing pressure from development ...... 24 Image Group 3: The path taken by Hurricane Luis in 1995, and Hurricane Jose...... 27 Image Group 4: Layered sedimentary Rock on the shores of St Maarten ...... 29 Image Group 5: Contrasting coastlines ...... 32 Image Group 6: Terrestrial flora and fauna of St. Maarten...... 33 Image Group 7: Mangrove, seagrasses and coral reef...... 36 Image Group 8: A selection of Marine animals found on the coral reefs of St. Maarten, ...... 45 Image Group 9: Rocky reef at Hen and Chick Fish Bowl Cavern...... 46 Image Group 10: Poor waste water disposal in Simpson Bay...... 47 Image Group 11: Cruise ships in Great Bay...... 50 Image Group 12: Dawn Beach...... 52 Image Group 13: Simpson Bay Lagoon...... 53 Image Group 14: Dead and disturbed mangroves at Mullet Bay...... 56 Image Group 15: Rocky shores of St. Maarten...... 57 Image Group 16: Residential and Tourist developments clinging to rocky shores ...... 58 Image Group 17: Endangered species ...... 62 Image Group 18: Currently up to 8 cruise boats can visit Great Bay at one time...... 64 Image Group 19: NAFSXM offices located at the south of Great Bay...... 70 Image Group 20: Anchor and anchor chain damage ...... 109

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Acknowledgements This plan could not have been completed without the cooperation and enthusiastic support of a number of individuals and organizations. This includes the stakeholders of St Maarten Marine Park who attended the meetings in October 2006 or contributed directly to the management plan;

Group Consultee Karen Eckert (Widecast), Elsje Bosch (Heritage Foundation), Jadira Veen (SXM Pride Foundation), Eliane Polack (Ocean Care Foundation), Rueben NGO groups Thompson (Advisor to various Foundations), Jesus Ruiz Lopez (Ocean Care Foundation), Natalia Collier (Envrionmental Protection in the Caribbean)

Louis Eights, Miguel Lake, Theofield Arrindell, Theofield Arrindell / Franklyn, Town fishermen Mr. Gumbs, Louis Eights, Miguel Lake, Lenroy, Unton, Lennard, Lenroy, Bill Gumbs, Paul, Michael, Myron Mills

Dominique Vissenberg, Paul Ellinger, Eseld Imms, Beverly Nisbeth, Rueben Staff Thompson.

Andy Caballero (Global Island Yachting), Robbie Ferron (Heineken Regatta), Marinas and boat Jan Roosens (Classic regatta, Maritime School of the West Indies, No Limits services Charters n.v.), Mirian Ebbers (Heineken regatta), Gary Brown (Docktalk / beachtalk magazine), Ray Ditton (Bobby’s Marina)

Paul Mooij (Prosecutors Office), Jack Orth (Customs), Leo Sinke (Customs), Paul Ellinger (VKS), Levenstone (Coastguard), Russell Voges (Simpson bay Law Enforcement Lagoon Authority (SLAC)), Vanessa Williams (St. Maarten Ports Authority (SMPA))

Industry Ludwig Ouenniche (Chamber of commerce), Felino Florendo (SOL)

Sophie Jonker (Eagle Tours), Chris McClandish (Scuba Fun), Bobby (Blue Dive and snorkel Bubbles), Whitney (Dive Safaris), Bobby (Dive Safaris), Vinnie (Pelican operators Watersports), Peter Frye (The Scuba Shop), Sandra (Dive Safaris)

Government Olivia Lake (VROM Environmental Department) Departments

Sundial School, Academy PSV, Learning Unlimited, Milton Peters College, St. Schools Dominic High School

We are very grateful to the following for spending considerable amounts of time reviewing the final draft of the St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan and providing detailed feedback:

• Brian Gilligan (former Director General of the National Parks and Wildlife Service, New South Wales Australia). • Anne Walton (Management Plan Review Coordinator/MPA Management Capacity Building Coordinator, NOAA/ National Marine Sanctuary Program). • Gwen van Boven (SPAN Consultants, The Hague)

Other individuals we would like to thank are;

• Dr Jay Haviser for his extensive contribution to the historical background of St Maarten, • Dr T. Goreau for his detailed input on the status of the reefs of St Maarten

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Acronyms/Abbreviations

AGRRA Atlantic and Gulf Rapid Reef Assessment (Caribbean wide study of coral reef health) The Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment in Cartagena the Wider Caribbean Region CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora DCNA Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone ICRAN International Coral Reef Action Network World Conservation Union (formerly International Union for the Conservation of IUCN Nature and Natural Resources) MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships MINA Central Government Department of Nature and the Environment MPA Marine Protected Area NAFSXM Nature Foundation Sint Maarten PA Protected Area Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat SPAW Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife – Annex of the Cartagena Convention UNEP United Nations Environment Programme WCPA World Commission on Protected Areas WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

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How to use the St. Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

The St. Maarten Marine Park Management plan has been designed to be a dynamic document, accessible via hard copy, electronic copy and relevant websites. It should be kept up to date with additional material to allow adaptive management as situations and issues change. The plan has 4 parts:

Part 1. St Maarten: Background Information

The physical, social and political environment that SXM MPA works within greatly influences the operations of the protected area. Those using the management plan may not be aware of the stage upon which SXM MPA operates and can refer to this section for background information. Technical terms are explained in the text and names of plants and animals are given as the common name in English, followed by local and scientific names Part 1 provides valuable background and contextual information. It can be used as a stand alone introduction to the island and MPA and has been written with a range of audiences in mind.

Part 2. Management environment

This is the first part of the working document which states the significance, mission and goals of SXM MPA. Resources available to SXM MPA are described, including the legal instruments, institutional arrangements, human and physical resources. The main issues facing SXM MPA are detailed and described before being summarised. Part 2 will be of interest to those wishing to develop a more in depth understanding of the operational management and issues facing the MPA.

Part 3. Management Plan.

In part 3 the actions that SXM MPA need to take to work towards the mission and goals are clarified. Day to day activities of the MPA staff are outlined, and actions are recommended to tackle the management issues and external issues identified in Part 2 that SXM MPA faces. Part 3 is of concern to those with an interest in the current activities of SXM MPA and the rational behind actions being taken.

Part 4 Additions and Developments

The final part of the plan is intended to act as a place marker for updates, where management actions have led to outcomes that can be described or there has been a change in the tools available to the MPA. This section needs to be kept up to date so that staff can work from the proposed actions and work schedule, and so any interested party can pick up the whole plan and have a thorough understanding of SXM MPA from the context through to the most recent management actions. Part 4 is to be used by the management body to keep the management plan up to date; its contents are unlikely to be available until the plan has been formally updated.

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Summary

The St Maarten Marine Park was first established in 1997. It surrounds the Dutch side of St Martin from the average high water mark to a depth of 20m on the east coast and a depth of 30m on the south coast. St Martin lies in the North Eastern Caribbean (63º N, 18º W) within the Lesser Antilles island group. St Maarten is situated upon the Anguilla Bank, a geological formation including Anguilla and St Barthélemy. The island is the smallest island in the world to be shared between to sovereign states – French St Martin to the North and Dutch Sint Maarten to the South. St Maarten is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and is regarded by the European Union as an overseas territory. The marine park falls entirely within the territorial waters and jurisdiction of St Maarten and is expected to be protected by a Marine Park Ordinance by early 2007. For issues related to international treaties, threatened and endangered species, migratory species and marine pollution the Central Government Department of Nature and the Environment (MINA) also has jurisdiction.

The marine environment of St Maarten includes more than 15km2 of globally threatened coral reef as well as seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. St Maarten’s marine environment is a home, migratory stop over or breeding site for 3 IUCN Red List Species, 10 CITES Appendix I species and 89 Appendix II species. The beaches and waters attract in the region of 2 million visitors a year, creating employment for 85% of the islands population. Tourism and the marine industry contribute $500 million and $30 million to the economy respectively and both depend on the well being of St Maarten’s marine resources.

The Marine Park is managed by a local non-profit, non-governmental organisation called Nature Foundation St Maarten which has a co-management structure with stakeholders, conservationists and other interested parties on the board. The management of the marine park is carried out by the Marine Park Manager and the marine park ranger. An office manager also works on the marine park administration and organisation and an education and outreach officer is shared with the nearby Dutch Islands of Saba and St Eustatius.

The mission of the marine park is to manage, conserve and restore St. Maarten’s marine natural, cultural and historical resources for education, ecological functionality and sustainable use with continued stakeholder participation, for the benefit of current and future generations.

This is the first management plan for the St Maarten Marine Park. Recent changes in management and staff members have highlighted the need for a strategic document to guide management decision making and to better define the mission, goals and objective of the park. Management planning and a clear strategy for management is a prerequisite if the park is going to begin monitoring its own effectiveness.

This document has been prepared in close consultation with Nature Foundation St Maarten, their management and staff and a considerable number of stakeholders and stakeholder group representatives. The plan specifies management goals and strategies for the St Maarten Marine Park related to the park’s mission and goals. It also identifies the major existing and potential threats and issues facing the park from ecological, social and cultural perspectives. It is also designed to provide a framework for adaptive management.

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Introduction Nature Foundation St. Maarten (NAFSXM) was established in January 1997 with the objective of enhancing the environment through effective management, education, awareness and protection of natural resources. The Nature Foundation is a non-governmental/non-profit organisation with a staff currently consisting of an office manager, marine park manager, education and outreach officer and assistant marine park manager, supported by a 7 member board. In the past, concerns for nature were over looked but NAFSXM has worked very hard for the last several years and has seen a greater awareness developing on the part of the population, demonstrating that the community cares about conservation efforts. The mainstay of St. Maarten’s economy is tourism which depends on clean beaches and healthy waters, reinforcing the need to protect the environment.

The main thrust of the NAFSXM recently has been to establish a Marine Park and get it legally recognised with a Marine Park Ordinance. The Dutch World Wildlife Fund financially supported the initial phase of setting up the Marine Park. Further funding was received from Stichting DOEN and IUCN with some government subsidies covering the gap in between.. The proposed Marine Park surrounds St Maarten’s entire Dutch side from Oyster Pond in the East to Cupecoy Bay in the west, stretching from the average high water line to a depth of 60m (200ft). To ensure the effective use of the near-shore waters, zones have been planned in detail and incorporated into the Marine Park Ordinance. A large fishing area will accommodate local fishermen and separate sites will be designated for SCUBA diving, anchoring and shipping traffic.

St. Maarten is the last island in the Netherlands Antilles to establish a Marine Protected Area. Laws have been written and incorporated into the Marine Park Ordinance for the protection of beaches, coral reefs, turtles, mangroves, seagrasses, and other protected species that are indigenous to these areas. Further rules and guidelines need to be written and adopted to define the nature of recreational activities within the boundaries of the Marine Park. The French side of the island has a Marine Park (Réserve Naturelle Marine) which was founded in 1998, located on the Eastern side of the Island, it encompasses the islands of Pinel and Tintamarre.

NAFSXM would like to secure a long term management agreement to protect the environment of the entire Dutch side of the island. The organisation has therefore proposed, in addition to the marine park, a Terrestrial Park that will offer protection to the islands indigenous terrestrial flora and fauna whilst allowing sustainable recreation. There is currently no management of the catchments on St Maarten that drain into the marine environment. Integrated catchment and coastal management is essential for the future well being of St Maarten’s natural resources since activities on land directly effect the water around St Maarten.

The Nature Foundation continues to work on several community and conservation projects and is also in the process of establishing a legally designated Marine Park. Along with changes in leadership, changes in legislation have underlined the need for a management planning process and document to clearly define the goals and objectives of the Marine Park, and state the management objectives and strategies which will allow the Marine Parks successes to be highlighted and its management effectiveness to be assessed. It will also assist both staff and Board by providing a solid framework for reference, decision making and planning. The management plan will also ensure continuity of management effort and allow stakeholders and other interest groups to understand and participate in the planning process. According to IUCN management plans are an essential step towards ensuring the proper management of protected areas. The management plan must be submitted within three months of the management contract being signed between Government and the Nature Foundation, following sign off of the Marine Park Ordinance

The first project proposal for a management plan was submitted in July 2006, with the final Terms of Reference being signed off on 31st August 2006. Background information collection and preparation for stakeholder consultations started in September 2006. Stakeholder input into the management plan was conducted through the end of September and the beginning of October 2006, with formal meetings held over a 3 week period.

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ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

The St Maarten marine park management plan provides a framework for the formulation of performance agreements for the marine park manager and staff, which will aid the ongoing evaluation of management successes. For this management plan to serve the needs of Nature Foundation St. Maarten, it is vital that it is periodically reviewed and updated. Stakeholders are also keen to see a review process adopted.

It is recommended that Part 1 of this plan is updated every 3 years, and parts 2 and 3 of this plan are reviewed together on an annual basis. Necessary updates should then be added in section 4. Stakeholder input to the running of The St. Maarten Marine Park will be an ongoing process. It is recommended that formal stakeholder input regarding the effectiveness of the management plan is carried out every 3 years, in conjunction with the revision of Part one.

The main working document of the management plan will be assembled in a handbook type folder with the extensive appendices included on a CD-ROM. This will kept and updated by the manager of the marine park, with other copies being made available through the website and on request.

The recommendations above for reviewing and revising the Management Plan should be seen as guidelines. After the management planning and review process has been consolidated, revisions may become less frequent and/or more specific.

SECTION TIME PERIOD PEOPLE INVOLVED 1,2,3,4 Every 3 years Staff, Board and Stakeholders 2 Once a year additions put into section 4 Staff and Board 3 Once a year additions put into section 4 Staff and Board 4 Additions made continually Staff and Board when necessary

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1 SINT MAARTEN: BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

1.1 Location St. Maarten is situated in the North Eastern Caribbean (63º N, 18º W) within the Lesser Antilles island group along with U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Anguilla (UK), St.-Barthélemy (Fr.), Saba (Neth.), St. Eustatius (Neth.), St. Kitts and Nevis, Barbuda, Antigua, Redonda, Montserrat (UK), Guadeloupe (Fr.), La Désirade (Fr.), Les Saintes (Fr.), Marie-Galante (Fr.), Dominica, Martinique (Fr.), St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent, Grenadines, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago.

It is one of the five islands that make up the Netherlands Antilles : St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba (Windward Islands) and Bonaire and Curaçao (Leeward Islands). The Windward Islands are part of the Lesser Antillean Island Arc, which stretches from Puerto Rico in the North to the coastline of Venezuela in the South (see Figure 1). The Windward Islands lie within eye sight of one another, St. Maarten is 63 km from St. Eustatius and 48km from Saba. St. Maarten is the largest of the three Windward Islands and has an area of about 86 km!.

Figure 1: St. Maarten and the other Dutch Caribbean islands

St. Martin is the smallest Island in the world to be shared by two sovereign governments - the Dutch and French. Since 1648 the island has been divided in two, with the smaller Southern side making up part of the Netherlands Antilles (34km2), and the larger Northern side being a French Overseas Territory (52 km!).

The island is situated on a submarine plateau called the Anguilla bank with a maximum depth of 36m, which it shares with the islands of Anguilla and St. Barthélemy. St. Martin has an irregular shape, having many bays and lagoons along its coast. Several uninhabited small islands surround St. Martin. Tintamarre, also called Flat Island, Ile Pinel, Little Key and Green Key at the eastern side of the main island as well as Great Key in Simpson Bay Lagoon belong to French St. Martin (Figure 2). Pelican Key, also called Guana Key, Molly Beday, Cow and Calf and Hen and Chickens at the eastern side of the main island as well as Little Key in Simpson Bay Lagoon belong to the Netherlands Antilles (Dutch) side of St. Martin.

Coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove and salt pond habitats are apparent around the coastline of St. Maarten. The coral reefs have spur and groove formations (coral ridges divided by sand channels) and boulders at the dive sites ‘The Maze’ and ‘Hen and Chicks’ are encrusted with numerous species of corals, sponges and anemones. Seagrasses are found mainly along the southern and south western shores, although they are on the brink of total destruction due to damage caused by conch

14 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan fisherfolk and coastal development. Mangroves can be found around Simpson Bay Lagoon, and around the salt ponds, which provide a perfect habitat for roosting, nesting and migrating birds as well as a wealth of other species. The salt ponds provide important foraging areas for many birds and the brackish and sometimes hypersaline conditions give rise to a unique wildlife community that includes several fish species, snails and insects.

The highest points and the geologically oldest parts of the island are in the centre, including Fort Hill (220m), Cole Bay Hill (215m), Sentry Hill (344m), Saint Peter’s Hill (317m), Flagstaff (386m), Pic Paradis (400m) and Naked Boy Hill (300m). Flagstaff is the highest hill on the Dutch side.

Founded in 1763, Philipsburg, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten, fills a narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. With its numerous shops, restaurants, cafes and casinos the waterfront forms the focal point of tourist activities and has become a popular stop for cruise ships.

Figure 2: The main physical features of St. Maarten (www.gobeach.com/sxmmap.htm)

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1.2 History and Culture The information in this section has been adapted from the book; “A short History of Sint Maarten” (2004) available from the Sint Maarten Museum.

HISTORY There is a possibility that the South American Stone Age people, known as the Ciboneys, lived on St Maarten 4000 BC. The island was covered with lush vegetation and had many varieties of birds, crocodiles and large rodents.

PRE-HISTORY 4000 BC-1490 AD Upon arrival of the first humans in the Caribbean, the islands were covered with lush vegetation and many varieties of bats, birds, sea mammals, iguanas, giant land tortoises and large rodents. There are but a few rare archaeological sites which indicate inhabitation in the Caribbean Islands by “Lithic Age” peoples prior to 4000 BC.

From about 4000 BC to about 500 BC, peoples of the “Archaic Age” level of technological development migrated onto the islands from South-/Central- and North America. These Archaic Age people were semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer-fishing folk, using simple stone and shell and probably wooden tools, who did not know agriculture nor the manufacture of ceramic vessels. Neither the ethnic associations or the language of these peoples are known. On St. Martin, the Norman Estate site on the French side is the only site of this time period discovered, and it dates to about 2000 BC.

Beginning around 500 BC, populations of people began to migrate from South America into the Caribbean region, introducing the “Ceramic Age”. These were far more developed societies than the Archaic peoples, farming manioc and other crops, using large sea-faring canoes, showing knowledge of ceramics, and producing stone and shell tool. These initial Ceramic Age communities also had complex social, economic and religious systems.

On St. Martin, the oldest Ceramic Age artifacts are the remains of these first migrations from about 500 BC, often referred to as ‘Saladoid’ people. The name that was given to these people is derived from the place where archaeologists first identified them, the Saladero site in the Orinoco basin in Venezuela.

With their skills, the presence of a bountiful sea and the absence of natural enemies, the Salidoid people managed to develop a well-ordered society. The oldest known Ceramic Age village on the island was discovered near Grand Case in 1987, in an area now named Hope Estate. The site shows traces of habitation dating from 550 BC, to 600 AD. In the post-Saladoid period we see more local development of cultural traditions on the islands, as opposed to the earlier primary influences from the South American mainland. On St. Martin, post-Saladoid Amerindian settlements were established closer to the seashore: six important settlements on St. Martin were found at Red Bay, Cupecoy Bay, Plum Bay, Friars Bay, Orient Bay and Great Bay. Their belief that spiritual beings could inhabit rocks, trees, rivers and the sea, is shown in their art and artifacts. This is evident in faces carved on rocks, in religious artifacts such as zemi’s (triangular stone or coral objects), in statues and ceramic pot decorations. There is no evidence of Carib inhabitants on St. Martin. According to archaeologists, it is doubtful whether there was ever a large-scale prehistoric Carib migration into the Northern Lesser Antilles. There is also no proof, that when the first Europeans passed by St. Martin in the 1490’s, Amerindians were still living on the island. (Dr Jay Haviser - communication to NAFSXM 2006).

1490’S– 1650’S During his 1492 – 1494 voyage, Christopher Columbus ‘discovered’ the Caribbean islands; possibly sighting St. Maarten on November 11, 1493. The island was named after St. Martin, the bishop of Tours. Some evidence indicates that the island Columbus saw was Nevis, with later confusion leading to the naming of St Martin. Throughout the fifteenth century, other Caribbean islands were occupied by various European nations like the Spanish, English and French, whilst St. Maarten was not considered to be of any importance.

In 1624 the first Dutchman to set foot on the island and found it uninhabited. Over the following years the Dutch explored the island in greater depth. They noticed the salt ponds, which were of 16 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan great importance since salt was used for the preservation of food. In 1631 a small group of Dutchmen claimed the island for the ‘West-Indische Companie’ (West India Company). Simultaneously, a group of Frenchman settled in the area now known as the French Quarter.

In 1632 the Dutch built Fort Amsterdam and continued their colonization, the harvesting of salt being one of the main reasons for the settlement. Anguilla was also occupied and a small fort was built there as well. In 1633, the Spanish recaptured both islands and used the materials of the Anguillan fort to reinforce Fort Amsterdam. They also built a second fort on Pointe Blanche, now known as ‘the Old Spanish Fort’. Under the command of Peter Stuyvesant, director of the West India Company, the Dutch attempted to recapture St. Maarten in 1644 with some 800 soldiers. In spite of various attacks and an effort to starve the Spaniards, the Dutch could not force the Spanish to surrender. The Spanish did not leave St. Maarten until 1648.

The Dutch and French immediately moved back to the island and on March 23, 1648, the famous partition agreement was signed on Mont des Accords (Concordia). The colonists introduced various commercial crops, such as tobacco, indigo, coffee, cotton and sugarcane. Trade began to expand, the island prospered.

1650’S – 1850’S The island changed hands frequesntly between France, England and Holland. Pirates and looters caused much damage, and agriculture and salt production were not as successful as before. The number of people on the island fluctuated sharply. In 1667 John Simpson was commander of the Dutch Part; Simpson Bay may be named after him.

Through the early 1700’s, the British periodically drove out the French, but the Dutch remained in control. The Dutch Governor John Philips, brought order after the chaotic preceding years. He revived the production of salt and persuaded the landowners to plant more coffee, sugarcane and cotton for a greater economic yield. He made land available to investors. The English came in large numbers, bringing their English-speaking slaves with them. With the English influence, the Dutch language and culture faded into the background. Fort Amsterdam was strengthened and the main village moved from Cul-de-Sac to its present location and named Philipsburg in honour of the governor.

The second half of the eighteenth century brought prosperity, with a peak around 1790, when the island had 92 estates with sugarcane as the main crop. Time and again the English tried to take over, and by 1817 the island had changed hands 16 times. In that year the French and Dutch established lasting control. In 1766 Fort St. Louis was constructed in Marigot. In 1772 mention was made of a severe hurricane, and in 1819 a major hurricane destroyed almost everything on the island, including all historical records. Simpson Bay village became isolated from the rest of the island. The plantation industry declined due in part to the prohibition of the slave trade.

From 1820 to 1848, a number of important buildings were constructed; the Reformed Church, the Pasanggrahan (Government Lodging House) and the Methodist Church. There was a revival of the salt industry from 1735 in which the entire population participated. In 1845 the colony of Curaçao was divided into the three Windward Islands (St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius) and the three Leeward Islands (Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire).

The abolition of slavery on French St. Martin took place in 1848. A number of slaves on the Dutch side, moved to the French side where they acquired the status of free foreigners. (One route, the ‘freedom path’ can still be found at the border, between the Dutch and the French Quarter.) To prevent unrest, Dutch plantation owners requested that the Dutch Government abolish slavery in the Dutch colonies. It was not until 1863 that slavery was officially abolished. Eventually, many estate owners left the island and ex-slaves were able to obtain land on or around the former estates.

1860’S TO THE PRESENT DAY Through the late 1800’s and early 1900’s industry on St. Maarten declined; the production of sugar stopped in 1875, cotton in 1932 and salt in the 1940s (Image 1). People returned to subsistence agriculture and fishing. Many men, with or without family members, emigrated to Aruba and Curaçao to work in the oil refineries. Others left for seasonal work (sugarcane cutting) in the Dominican Republic or went to the US.

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Image 1: ‘Salt picking’ at the Great Salt Pond St. Maarten in the 1920’s. (source: St. Maarten Heritage Foundation, [email protected])

In the Second World War, Holland was occupied by Germany and France took control over the island for 10 days. The French side was under Vichy control, and was blockaded by Allied forces. In 1943 the Juliana Airport was opened on the Dutch side.

In 1948 the frontier monument was erected, celebrating 300 years of peaceful coexistence. In 1951 the Netherlands Antilles signed the ‘statuut’ to become autonomous, and were reorganised into Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire and the Windward Islands, each with it’s own territorial government.

The first major hotel (Little Bay) was constructed in 1955. In 1959 the first local radio station began broadcasting. In 1960 a major hurricane (Donna) hit the island. In the Lowlands the first luxury villas were built in the 60’s. In 1966 Philipsburg was extended by filling in part of the nearby Salt Pond. Numbers of tourists grew along with developments in air transport. The economy expanded rapidly. Many St. Maarteners returned home. Employment levels were high and the boom in tourism attracted people from other islands as well as different parts of the world. The population grew rapidly, escalating from around 7.000 in 1970 to more than 30.000 in 1995 on the Dutch side alone.

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CULTURE The cultural diversity of St. Maarten springs from its historical role as a crossroads for visitors to the New World. Dutch, French and British traders brought European traditions, while Afro-Caribbean people brought the language and culture of West Africa. Today the range of influences is reflected in the number of languages spoken. Dutch is the official language, but English is taught in schools and spoken everywhere, while other common languages are Spanish and Papiamento, the dialect of the Netherlands Antilles. St. Maarten's premier cultural event is its annual Carnival (Image group 1), which includes parades, calypso competitions, reggae shows, and an endless array of stands serving traditional island food.

Image Group 1: Colours of St. Maarten’s annual Carnival. (Source: www.st-maarten.com)

The island culture has its roots largely in African, French and Dutch influences, though scores of more recent immigrants have added their own elements to this multicultural society. The tourist boom of the past few decades has resulted in such an influx of job-seekers from elsewhere in the Caribbean that only about 20% of all residents were born on the island.

Education is compulsory, and approximately 99 percent of the children attend school. The government spends about a third of its budget on education, which is modelled on the Dutch system. Apart from local faculties, teachers are recruited from Holland and the Caribbean islands. There are technical and vocational schools, teacher’s colleges and two other further education establishments: the University of St. Maarten and the American University of the Caribbean.

St. Maarten has its own flag (Figure 3). The design shows red, white and blue panels and the island’s crest. This coat of arms depicts the national bird; the Brown Pelican, national flower: Orange Sage (Latana camara), the Court House and the border monument.

Figure 3: St. Maarten’s Flag.

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1.3 Population In 2005 approximately 35,000 people were considered permanent residents of St. Maarten (and approximately 30,000 in Saint Martin). St. Maarten is by far the most densely populated of all the Dutch Caribbean Islands with just over 1000 per km2 on the Dutch side (See Figure 4).

Figure 4: Population density of the Dutch Caribbean Islands (CBS, 2005) On average, approximately 1000 people more move to the island as move away, this adds to the growth figures for the resident population (see Figure 5). 2003 saw a significant rise in the numbers of people moving to and from St. Maarten, and for the first time there was a net loss of people (around 250 more left the island than moved to the island).

Figure 5: Movements by the permanent population to and from St Maarten (CBS, 2005) There has been a significant shift in the structure of the population of St. Maarten over the years from 1995 to 2004 as shown in Figure 6. There is an increasing loss of young, economically active residents from the age of 15 years to 20 years, who leave to study or work abroad. All figures for the population of St Maarten have been taken from www.cbs.an and are presented in Appendix 1.

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1995 2005

Loss of economically active population

Figure 6: Population Pyramids for St. Maarten from 1995 and 2005 (CBS, 2005) The resident population are far outnumbered by visitors to the island. Figure 7 shows the expected growth of the population and the expected growth of stay over visitors from 2005 to 2015. Stay over visitors alone increase the population of St. Maarten by 7 times over the year, although tourists do not usually stay for more than 2 weeks. The number of stay over tourists is expected to increase by between 50% (low estimate, 354000 persons) and 80% (high estimate, 432000 persons) between 2005 and 2015. If the resident population continues to grow at its current rate (16.5%) 2015 will see around 47500 persons permanently on Island (TourMap, 2005).

Figure 7: Expected growth of tourism and the resident population (CBS, 2005) and (TourMap, 2005).

The number of cruise visitors is also expected to increase from 2005 to 2015 from just under 1.4 million to nearly 2 million visiting the whole of the island. Marine base tourists such as Yacht visitors are also likely to increase in number. These increases in the temporary and permanent populations on St. Maarten will place increasing pressure on the islands environment and infrastructure.

The majority of the population are Protestant, though there are Catholic and Jewish minorities.

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1.4 Politics and Economics

POLITICS The form of government in the Netherlands Antilles is a Parliamentary Democracy. The Governor, who is the representative of the Queen of the Netherlands, is nominated by the Federal Government and is appointed by the Crown.

As Chief Administrator, the Governor exercises executive power over external affairs and is assisted by an advisory council. Executive power in internal affairs is vested in the Prime Minister and his 8- member cabinet. The 22 member Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles is a uni-chambered legislative body. Members are elected to a 4-year term.

On the Island level the kingdom is represented by a Lieutenant Governor who is also the local chief Administrator. Executive power is vested in an Executive Committee consisting of five commissioners who must have the support of the majority of the eleven-seat Island Council (the island’s law-making body Economy.

ECONOMY The island's official currency is the Antillean guilder, but the American dollar is extensively used. The exchange rate between the two currencies is fixed. One American dollar can be converted in 1.82 Antillean guilders. The monetary system of the island is regulated by the Central Bank of the Netherlands Antilles

The economy of St. Maarten is based almost entirely on tourism. It is estimated that 85% of all employment, and a significant contribution to the GDP are related directly and indirectly to tourism (see Figure 8 and Figure 9). St. Maarten has one of the highest per-capita incomes in the Caribbean. It’s tourism product offers visitors one of the most diverse and exciting vacation experiences in the Caribbean. In addition to tourism, the other major forms of economic activity are financial services and trade with the neighbouring islands. St. Maarten’s GDP for 2004 was 1,023.4 million Nafls, an increase of 12.5% from 2003, illustrating the rapid growth, mostly in tourism that is taking place.

Figure 8: The contribution of tourism related activities to St Maarten's GDP (CBS, 2005)

St. Maarten produces very few consumable goods. The government is looking into ways of diversifying the economy, particularly with industry that would support the main economic activity and not damage the tourism product. Government is currently involved in preparing zoning plans,

22 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan which will reserve an area for light industry/manufacturing and an area for heavy industry. Once this is in place efforts would be made to attract industries.

Extra terr. = Extra territorial organisations and bodies Figure 9: Contribution of tourism to employment on St. Maarten (CBS, 2005).

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FARMING At the end of the 18th century there were 92 plantations on the island growing sugarcane, some cotton, as well as indigo (De Palm, 1985). The sugarcane and cotton industries went into decline through the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, leaving agriculture as the main ‘economic’ activity along with salt production. Salt extraction took place in the Great Salt Pond up until 1939, with a network of dykes and drainage canals that were built to prevent fresh rainwater from entering into the saltpans.

Agriculture remained the most important economic activity until around 1960. The main agricultural activities taking place were pastoral, including the rearing of cows and sheep. During the rainy season the cattle grazed on higher pastures while in the dry season on the pastures in the valleys. Lobster, some cattle and agricultural products were exported to Curaçao. After 1960, many of the working men of the island moved away to Santo Domingo to work in sugar fields as well as to Aruba and Curaçao to find work in the oil industry reducing the agricultural activity to a subsistence level.

Many areas in the valleys, which have historically been used for agriculture, have recently been released for housing construction. As a result of old zoning legislation, the hills above 80 meters were not built on (EcoVision/AID Environment, 1996) until the late 1990’s. More recently, construction projects have been encroaching on the remaining mountain forest (Image Group 2).

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Image Group 2: Hillsides of St Maarten facing pressure from development (Source: NAFSXM)

INDUSTRY The only mining activities were open cast excavations that are still visible on the landscape. The main mining products were material for land reclamation in the bays and lagoons and fill to cover household garbage in the Great Salt Pond. The main excavation at Fort Hill has not been used since the 1960’s when the southern part of the Great Salt Pond was filled in. The mine producing construction material at Hope Estate was closed in 1994 (EcoVision/AID Environment, 1996). The government restricted land reclamation and its associated mining activities by individuals in 1991, however the fill to cover waste continues to be excavated in several places.

TOURISM The success of tourism on St. Maarten through the 1960’s attracted many people from the other islands looking to join the well-employed labour force. The population has increased by a factor of 14 in the past 45 years: from a little over 2.700 persons in 1960 to more than 35.000 in 2005 (CBS, 2005). The construction industry boomed to supply housing for the residents and hotels/condos etc for tourists (Image 2). The fertile valleys of Cul de Sac and Cole Bay have seen considerable building development. One study carried out in 2003 found that St Maarten is one of the most developed islands for tourism in the world (Mc Elroy, 2003).

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Image 2: Coastal development at Cupecoy / Mullet Beach (Source: NAFSXM)

In the 1980’s, many of the islands accessible slopes were built on. This required roads to be carved out of the hillside, many of which lie unpaved thus contributing tremendously to the erosion and sedimentation of the marine environment. The lowlands and Billy Folly on the Dutch side almost completely been transformed to accommodate the booming tourism industry and residential development (Rojer, 1997). More recently the coastline at Pelican, Guana Bay and Dawn Beach has also been developed for tourism and expensive residential houses

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1.5 Climate The climate of St. Maarten is humid tropical, the average rainfall is 1008 mm per year (Figure 10) The average yearly temperature is 26.8 ºC (CBS, 2005). Yearly variations in rainfall can be considerable, for example, in 1992 there was 1273 mm of rain, yet in 1994 there was 658 mm. The majority of the rain falls in August – November, though on a monthly basis clear wet or dry seasons are difficult to distinguish July 2005 saw the highest monthly rainfall with 211.6mm, August 24th 2005 saw the greatest daily maximum with 80.4 mm falling in 24 hours (Anon, 2005). The majority of the rainfall on St. Maarten is caused by convection (the air heating up and rising – thus causing rainfall), although the hilly areas in the centre of the island receive more rainfall suggesting they are high enough to cause orographic rainfall (air forced up by the height of the land causing rainfall).

There is very little variation in temperature over the year, with December to March being the cooler months at around 25ºC on average, and April to November being the warmer months on average with temperatures between 27ºC and 29ºC. The coldest temperatures recorded are around 18ºC, the hottest temperatures are around 33ºC. The precipitation/temperature graph below shows the average rainfall and temperatures from 1970 to 2005.

Figure 10: Average Precipitation and Temperatures for Princess Juliana International Airport St Marten, 1971 – 2002 (CBS, 2005). The wind rose below shows average wind speeds and direction from 1971-2001. St Maarten is located in the Northeast Trade Wind zone. 78% of the wind comes from the east, and 22% from east-south-east, with average wind speeds of 6/7 metres per second. The Wind is a significant, reliable natural resource on St. Maarten that benefits wind sports such as windsurfing, kite surfing and sailing.

Figure 11: Wind rose showing 1971-2002 wind speed averages data for Princess Juliana Airport St. Maarten (CBS, 2005). 26 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan St. Maarten is located in the Atlantic hurricane zone (Image Group 3) and on average one tropical storm or hurricane passes at a distance of less than 200 km each year. Once every 4 or 5 years St. Maarten is hit by a hurricane (see Table 1).

Image Group 3: The path taken by Hurricane Luis in 1995, and an image of Luis passing over St. Maarten.Hurricane Luis 1995 (Top). Track of Hurricane Jose and an aerial photograph of Jose passing St. Maarten. (Bottom) (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/).

DATE WIND SPEED MPH CATEGORY CPOA NAME 5 Sep 1960 138 h4 13 DONNA 26 Aug 1966 92 h1 42 FAITH 17 Jul 1979 46 ts 5 CLAUDETTE 3 Sep 1979 58 ts 13 FREDERIC 4 Sep 1981 40 ts 20 FLOYD 6 Oct 1990 69 ts 50 KLAUS 5 Sep 1995 132 h4 24 LUIS 8 Jul 1996 81 h1 11 BERTHA 21 Sep 1998 115 h3 50 GEORGES 21 Oct 1999 86 h1 16 JOSE 18 Nov 1999 144 h4 2 LENNY 22 Aug 2000 75 h1 5 DEBBY (source: http://stormcarib.com. Categories: ts= Tropical storm, h1= minimal, h2= moderate, h3= extensive, h4= extreme, h5= catastrophic. CPOA = Closest Point of Approach (miles). For further details on the hurricanes, refer to Appendix 2). Table 1: Hurricanes and tropical storms to affect St. Maarten since 1960.Hurricanes and Tropical storms to affect St. Maarten since 1960 In September 1995 St. Maarten was severely damaged by Luis, a scale-4 hurricane, followed only 10 days later by Marilyn. In 1996 hurricane Bertha passed by. In 1998 hurricane Georges damaged

27 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan many properties and in 1999, the island was hit by hurricanes Jose and Lenny causing mudslides, floods and considerable beach erosion.

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1.6 Geology and Geomorphology Sint Maarten forms part of the non-volcanic arc of the Lesser Antilles. The oldest layers of rock date back approximately 50 million years (Westermann, 1957). These older rocks are sedimentary – and made of marine deposits that were once on the ocean floor. More recently these layers were folded by tectonic forces, then pushed above the water surface (Image Group 4).

Image Group 4: Layered sedimentary Rock on the shores of St Maarten (source: NAFSXM)

These oldest layers, “The Pointe Blanche Formation” form two parallel chains of hills which include; Fort Hill (220 m), Cole Bay Hill (215 m), Sentry Hill (344 m), Saint Peters Hill (317 m), Flagstaff (386 m), Mount Paradise (400 m) en Naked Boy Hill (300 m). The hilly parts of the island were formed in the Oligocene Period (34 to 23 years before present).

In the Miocene Period (23 to 5.3 million years before present), the “Pointe Blanche Formation” was submerged by the sea, during a period of local subsidence of the earth crust. This allowed calcium and other marine deposits to accumulate, which now form the Terres Basses or Lowlands on the western part of the island. A second period of tectonic activity brought the area above sea level. Throughout the Pleistocene Era (1.8 million to 12,000 years before present) there was an ice age which locked up much of the earth’s water on land. The area, which incorporated Sint Maarten and the nearby islands of Anguilla and St Barthélemy, remained above sea level as one large land mass. During the coldest periods of the ice age in the Pleistocene Era, the sea level was 36 m lower than at present.

At the end of the Pleistocene glaciation, ice melted and the sea level rose. The large, single island flooded and only the highest parts remained above sea level – forming the islands of St Martin, Anguilla and St Barthélemy as they are known today. The Simpson Bay Lagoon, Great Salt Pond, 29 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Great Bay and other bays and lagoons are drowned valleys. The plateau the neighbouring islands sit on has a maximum depth of 36 m and is known as the Anguilla Bank.

More recent igneous rock formations include those in the Colombier Valley, Cul-de-Sac and Belle Plaine. The Williams Hill (264 m) is formed from dark coloured dolerite, which is a type of magma. The youngest rock formations, the coral reefs, are formed in the ocean and lie around 5 to 6 m above the sea level and can be found mainly on the Eastern part of the island.

A number of geomorphological landforms exist on St Maarten - including sand bars, and spits which are formed by water movement around the bays and coastline. Soils on the hill slopes are not very well developed due to the comparatively high rainfall and associated high rates of erosion. In the valleys, on the less porous rock, soils are generally well developed where they have not been removed for building foundations and other infrastructure development.

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1.7 Oceanography St Maarten is located on an undersea plateau, known as the Anguilla Bank, where depths do not exceed 36m. This is shared with St Barthélemy and Anguilla. St Martin and the neighbouring islands are affected by The Antilles Current. The Antilles Current was named in 1876, and flows northward east of the Antilles joining the Florida Current past the outer Bahamas. Its waters are concentrated into a strong northward Jet about 80-100 km wide centred at 400 m (Lee et al., 1996).

Mooring studies have indicated that the Antilles has mean transport speeds of 3.2 Sv1 northwards in the upper 800m of water (see Figure 12). In addition there is deeper flow from the Deep Western Boundary Undercurrent below 800 m carrying 33 ± 10.9 Sv southwards (Lee et al., 1996). The influence of this deep flow results in a large, mean southward transport for the entire water column.

Figure 12: The Antilles Current transports tropical waters from the North Equatorial Current north- westward. It is a significant source of warm water for the Gulf Stream system. (Source: http://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/)

The monthly average sea surface temperature ranges from 25°C in January-March to 29°C in August-November. Visibility ranges from 15m to 30+m. There are usually two high tides and two low tides every day in St Maarten, with about six hours between high tide and low tide. The average tidal range is around 45cm.

St Maarten lies within the Northeast Trade Wind zone, which causes wind swell for much of the year. Waves produced by the wind are generally highest from June to July and from December to March when the wind speeds are highest. Wave direction varies according to the time of year. Waves approach from a predominantly easterly direction. For this reason, the waves are highest on the east or windward coasts where average wave height is more than 1 m (3 ft). On the leeward coasts, average wave height is usually less than 0.3 m (1 ft). Wave energy is concentrated at headlands and spread out in bays. This is a result of wave refraction, a process which results in the wave fronts being ‘bent’ as they approach the shore (Bacon, 1978).

Waves, known as ground swell are produced by low pressure weather systems at sea. The majority of these form in the Western Atlantic and send waves towards St Maarten through winter months. A result of swell, large waves may be seen breaking on the coast even on calm, sunny days in winter. During each winter season, there may be from five to ten swell events, each lasting from one to eight days. Research has also shown that intense winter swell activity often runs in cycles, several active years being followed by several less active years (Deane et al., 1973). The height of swell waves on a usually calm leeward coast may vary between 1 m and 3 m (3–10 ft), although occasionally they may be as high as 5 m (16 ft). Hurricanes, which develop from areas of very low

1 The sverdrup, named after the oceanographers Harald and Otto Sverdrup, is an unit of measure of volume transport. It is used almost exclusively in oceanography, to measure the transport of ocean currents. It is equivalent to 106 m3/s 31 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan pressure produce very high energy sea conditions, where very large groundswells are driven by high winds.

Image Group 5: Contrasting coastlines of the high energy windward shore at Back Bay and low energy coastline at Great Bay on the leeward shore (Source: NAFSXM)

During swell wave conditions, leeward coasts, in particular, experience considerable erosion (Image Group 5). Sand is moved offshore and trees and walls are undermined, leaving their roots or foundations exposed. Swell waves may also cause changes in the shape of a beach by moving sand from one end to the other. Beaches tend to erode during the winter months and build up (or accrete) during the summer months. If the amount of winter erosion exceeds summer accretion, there is overall erosion with the land behind the beach being eroded as the beach retreats inland. The rate of retreat is called the erosion rate. Overall erosion may be due to one or more factors, for example: a particularly severe winter swell, a recent hurricane, the death of an adjacent coral reef or interference in the supply of sand. Conversely, if accretion exceeds erosion, the beach gets wider over time and deposition features, such as cuspate forelands, tombolos, spits and bars develop.

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1.8 Terrestrial Habitats, Flora and Fauna St. Maarten is irregular in form because of the many bays and lagoons. Steep rocky coasts alternate with sandy beaches. Most of the land is hilly, where three ridges can be distinguished lying in a north-south direction. Only the Lowlands in the west are flat. The climate of Maarten falls between a savanna and monsoon type climate. The high population density and burgeoning tourism industry has damaged or removed many of the terrestrial environments and several habitats continue to be under pressure.

At least 522 wild plants are known from St. Maarten, divided in 506 seed plants and 16 ferns. There are two endemic species; Calyptranthes boldinghgii and Galactia nummelaria. Both species are rare, having only been collected once in the early 20th Century. The geographical distribution of five of the islands plants is limited to just a few islands and 3.3% of the species is endemic to the Lesser Antilles and the Virgin Islands. With respect to the moss flora, only two true mosses are known, and no liverworts (for further details refer to Appendix 3). The majority of the areas on the Dutch side of St. Maarten that still have vegetation cover, have secondary vegetation originating from either seasonal or dry evergreen vegetation communities. Few patches of original semi-evergreen seasonal forest remain, making this special habitat vulnerable to further development. On a few of the slopes in the centre of the island, a dense secondary woodland vegetation is growing, preventing erosion. Orchids can be found especially on the hilltops of the middle part of the island, on Cay Hill, Cole Bay Hill, and Vineyard Hill (Rojer, 1997). A detailed biological inventory of St Maarten’s Terrestrial flora and fauna will take place in early 2007.

Image Group 6: Terrestrial flora and fauna of St. Maarten. Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) (NAFSXM), Semi-evergreen seasonal forest (Rojer, 1997), Endmic Anolis lizard (Anolis wattsi pogus) – a male specimen (source: Joe Burgess on:http://members.fortunecity.com)

Birds are the most numerous vertebrates. There are 39 permanently nesting bird species on St. Maarten and 68 species of visiting birds. These include 19 sea birds, of which 10 species breed on or around the island. Several small rocky islands just off the shore provide an ideal habitat for breeding colonies of seabirds.

The White Crowned Pigeon (Columba leucocephala) and the Red-Necked Pigeon (Columba squamosa), both regionally and locally rare because of hunting, are still found in the island. Among the breeding seabirds three are endangered; Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri lherminieri), the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis occcidentalis), and the Roseate Tern Sterna (Dougallii dougallii), are endangered and three, the Redbilled Tropicbird (Phaeton aethereus mesonauta), the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata fuscata), and the Least Tern Sterna (Albifrons antillarum), are possibly endangered. 33 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

Amphibians and reptiles are the next largest group of vertebrates. There are thought to be 17 different species of non-marine reptiles and amphibians living on St Maarten (Powell, Henderson & Parmerlee, 2005) species. The subspecies of the tree lizard Anolis wattsi pogus are endemic to St Maarten. The ground lizard Ameiva pleei, the tree lizard Anolis gingivinus, the gecko Sphaerodactylus sputator, the Grassnake Alsophis rijersmai and the subspecies of the gecko Sphaerodactylus macrolepis parvus are limited to St Maarten and neighbouring islands.

St. Maarten is less biodiverse in terms of terrestrial fauna than some of its neighbours because of habitat destruction, hunting and imported predators. One bird species, the Redtailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), and two species of lizard, the Antillean Iguana (Iguana delicatissima) and the original population of the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), no longer exist on the island.

Over a period of three years (2002-2004), NAFSXM undertook a survey resulting in the documentation of eight species of bats from the island of which three are reported on Saint Martin/Sint Maarten for the first time (Monophyllus plethodon, Ardops nichollsi, and Natalus stramineus). The first species of bat recorded from Saint Martin/Sint Maarten was based on individuals referable to Artibeus jamaicensis by (Cope, 1889). Subsequently, (Husson, 1960) in a review of the mammals of the Netherlands Antilles added three species of bats (Image 3)to fauna lists (Brachyphylla cavernarum, Molossus molossus, and Tadarida brasiliensis) as well as presenting additional information on A. jamaicensis. Finally, (Koopman, 1968) added the greater fishing bat Noctilio leporinus to the fauna of the island and commented on the other four species known from island. (Husson, 1960) also reported a single individual of the bat Myotis nigricans nesopolus; however, our re-examination of this specimen in light of 45 years of additional knowledge of the small Myotis sp. in the Lesser Antilles and northern South America has led SXM nature foundation to exclude this species from the fauna of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten. There are some concerns about the future conservation status of the chiropteran fauna of the island.

Image 3: Lesser Antillian Fruit Bat (Brachyphylla cavernarum) in a cave at Billy Folly (Rojer, 1997)

170 invertebrates are known to live on St Maarten. Including, one specie of scorpion, 4 species of mites, 116 species of insects (including 27 species of diurnal butterflies) and 47 species of land and freshwater snails.

The main threats to the biodiversity of St. Maarten are habitat destruction and degradation caused by the growth of inhabited areas, tourism development and pollution. Since the 1950’s, several groups have argued for the need to preserve valuable nature areas, not only for conservation but also for the benefit of tourism. Stinapa-St. Maarten, St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation, and Stinapa Netherlands Antilles, have struggled continuously to establish a hilltop protected area and a nature/culture reserve Belvédère/Bishophill.

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1.9 Marine habitats, flora and fauna The marine habitats represented within the Marine Park can be categorized as follows:

! Open water: supporting planktonic and pelagic sea creatures including fish and migratory species such as dolphin and turtles ! Sea bed (benthos): supporting coral reefs, sea grass beds and including surface dwelling animals and plants and infauna (burrowing creatures like molluscs and crustacean), invertebrates, reef and bottom living fish. ! Intertidal: formed at the interchange between land and sea including mangroves, rocky shores, sandy beach and dune areas

There is, of course, regular exchange between each of these habitats for feeding and reproduction and continuous movement of water and animals between the deep waters surrounding St Maarten, the coral reefs, seagrass and mangrove areas (see Image Group 7 and Figure 13). As the waters around St Maarten are relatively shallow, without much exchange between coastal and deep water currents, corals and other organisms on reefs are exposed to any terrestrial influences. This includes freshwater runoff, sediments, nutrients and any form of pollution, which all stress and eventually kill marine organisms

The mangrove, seagrass and coral reef habitats of St. Maarten have different species zonation within them and play a wider role in the well-being of the coast by providing a range of ecological services. The mangrove forested areas of the coast have 4 distinct ‘zones’ where the plants are different. These change as conditions become more saline towards the sea:

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Image Group 7: Red Mangrove (Rhizophora Mangel), Flying Gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans) over seagrass, Pillar Coral (Dendrogyra cylindrica) on a reef (source NAFSXM).

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Land and fresh water influence Lagoonal system Open sea interface MANGROVES SEAGRASS BEDS CORAL REEFS SERVICES: SERVICES: SERVICES: ! Trap fine land sediments ! Stabilise and bind ! Accrete Calcium Carbonate, ! Consume and accumulate organic sediments ! Accumulate organic matter and sediment matter and nutrients ! Accumulate, consume ! Recycle nutrients and organic matter ! Buffer changes in salinity and export organic ! Consume suspended organic matter ! Stabilise sediments matter and nutrients ! Produce sediment e.g. parrotfish droppings ! Reduce wave action ! Poor at withstanding ! Slow or divert water currents ! Export particles of organic matter wave action ! Protect from storm damage by reducing wave energy

On St. Maarten the Coral reefs are separated from the coastline seagrass by a sand and algae substrate

Terrestrial influence

Oceanic influence

Figure 13: Schematic diagram of a typical tropical coastal seascape. The majority of the coast of St Maarten has been developed to some extent and does not have seagrass or mangrove. The large arrows at the bottom symbolise gradients created by the buffering of the influences

of the land and the ocean on the seascape.

37

OPEN WATER

INTRODUCTION The open water area within the marine park is confined to the waters from the shoreline out to the 60m (200’) depth contour. The water is warm with constant salinity and is low in naturally occurring nutrients. The marine flora and fauna in the open waters around St Maarten, beyond the limits of the marine park but within the islands territorial waters are not very well known.

The water is full of phytoplankton (microscopic plants) which form the basis of the complex food web, supporting not only the island’s coral reefs and associated animals but also zooplankton (microscopic animals) which are often the juvenile stages of species found in other habitats. There are no known studies of the plankton communities around St Maarten.

The open water supports pelagic fish populations, most of which are highly migratory such as Tuna (Thunnus sp.), Dolphin (Dorado / Coryphanaena hippurus) and Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri see Image 4) as well as Marlin (Makaira SP.) and swordfish (Xiphias gladius). In general, these fish are found passing within the territorial waters of St Maarten, on occasion they can be found within the marine park itself.

Image 4: Dorado / Coryphaena hippurus (source: http://www.xcalak.info/images/florafauna/dorado_l.jpg)

All four Caribbean species of turtle can be found in St Maartens water: Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricate), Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas), Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea) and Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are a very occasional visitor (Powell et al XXX). A number of Cetaceans re regular visitors both to the reefs and the waters around St Maarten, including; Baleen Whale Species (Balaenoptera sp.), Pilot Whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Dwarf Sperm Whales (Kogia simus), Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Gervais's Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon europaeus), Killer Whales (Orcinus orca), Melon-Headed Whales (Peponocephala electra), Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus), Pantropical Spotted Dolphins (Stenella attenuate), Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris), Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncates), Cuvier's Beaked Whales (Ziphius cavirostris).

There are a number of birds that live almost exclusively in the open ocean environment, using St Maarten as a breeding ground or migratory stop over. These include Gulls such as Laughing Gulls (Larus atricilla), terns and cormorants.

St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

LOCATION Although not strictly part of the marine park, the waters around St Maarten from the shore line to the 12 mile zone (the boundary of internationally recognised territorial waters) do constitute the territorial waters of the island. There is currently no organisation charged with the management of the territorial waters and legislation should be drafted to regulate activities within this zone.

Pelagic zone With the exception of the seabed, everything in blue water beyond the 60m depth contour, which marks the seaward extent of the St Maarten Marine Park, can be considered the pelagic zone. The pelagic environment is commonly thought of as being made up of number of different ecological zones; most importantly, the epipelagic, mesopelagic and the bathypelagic. ! Epipelagic: The epipelagic zone stretches from the surface down to 200 meters. This is where most plants and animals (flora and fauna) live due to the abundance of of light and nutrients. Pelagic fish species found in this part of the sea around St Maarten include small bait fish such as Herring (Clupea harengus) – a major food source for marine mammals, and larger, predatory fish such as the tuna, Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri), Dolphin (Dorado - Coryphanaena hippurus) and Rainbow Runner (Elagatis bipinnulata) all of which are commercially important species. ! Mesopelagic: The water from 200-1,000 meters is classified as the mesopelagic zone, a twilight zone where some light filters through but does not reach a level of brightness necessary for photosynthesis to occur. ! Bathypelagic: The bathypelagic zone extends from 1,000-4,000 meters depth and is completely dark. Deep water animals rely on nutrients that rain down from productive surface waters. These nutrients arrive on the sea floor in a variety of forms dominated by decaying phytoplankton and zooplankton.

Sea bottom Soft-bottom habitats dominate much of the sea floor beyond the epipelagic (light) zone. The sediments are usually comprised of a mixture of biologically fixed silica and calcium carbonate, as well as clays, silts, and sand sediments. Varieties of mobile and stationary animals live on and within these sediments. Around St Maarten, these are likely to include mobile echinoderms such as brittlestars and sea cucumbers, crustaceans such as crabs, amphipods, and shrimps, molluscs such as snails and octopods, and a variety of worms such as polychaetes and nematodes. There are also many sessile (fixed) polychaetes, clams, sponges and other invertebrates. These mobile and sessile animals typically range in size from megafauna (>1 cm), to the smallest microbes. Microbes such as bacteria play an important role in breaking down organic material.

CONDITION There is little known about the deep water environments around St Maarten which are beyond the reach of SCUBA divers. However pelagic and deeper water habitats need to be considered in protected area management as they influence the ecology of other marine environments and are sure to be home to many as yet undiscovered life forms. The little available evidence indicates that water quality is generally good within open water environments. There have not been reports of ‘die offs’ of marine animals or birds or plants which could be attributed to poor water quality or pollution and St Maarten’s waters produce very little ciguatera. Ballast waters are not know to have caused any problems to date.

Overfishing of St Maarten’s territorial waters may be a potential problem. In this context it is also important to note that in addition to pelagic fish, globally endangered sea turtles, sea birds and dolphins are threatened by illegal fishing activities.

VALUE Research voyages in the Florida Keys which have explored deep water environments have recorded considerable numbers of new invertebrate and fish species. There is every reason to believe that the same would be true of the deep water benthic environment around St Maarten. Healthy and abundant migratory pelagic fish stocks of Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo are critical to support St Maarten’s small scale local fishing industry. Globally endangered cetaceans and sea turtles regularly migrate through St Maarten’s waters. 39 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

SEABED - SEAGRASS The two most important ecosystems found on the seabed within the marine park are sea grass beds and coral reefs. Both are highly productive, fragile and valuable marine resources

INTRODUCTION Seagrasses are flowering plants that live underwater. Like land plants, seagrasses produce oxygen. The depth at which seagrasses are found is limited by water clarity which determines the amount of light reaching the plant. Seagrass beds form in shallow coastal lagoon areas. The main species of seagrass found around St Maarten are Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) and Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme).

Seagrass ecosystems are considered to be amongst the most productive in the world; an average growth rate of seagrass leaves is about 5mm per day, with entire stands of seagrass being turned over every 16 weeks with 3-4 crops annually (Edwards, 2000). In addition to this, the blades of seagrasses provide a huge surface area for settlement of epiphytes (plants that live on the surface of another organism such as calcareous green algae, crustose coralline red algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms and epifauna (animals that live on the surface of another organism such as sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, foraminiferans). For a square metre of seabed, a dense seagrass stand may have 20m2 of leaf area for other organisms to settle on. The productivity of the epiphytes can be twice that of the seagrasses themselves,

The seagrass stands in around St Maarten are dominated by Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) together with Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) and banks of calcareous alga (Halimeda sp). Through a succession of growth (see Figure 14), seagrasses can turn vast areas of unconsolidated sediments into highly productive plant dominated, structured habitat with a diversity of microhabitats.

Solid Epilithic Coralline algae substrate algae Halimeda

Sandy THALASSIA substrate Syringodium

Rhizophytic algae Halodule

Muddy substrate Ecosystem Development

Stable environmental conditions Bare substrate Thalassia climax Low productivity High productivity Little shelter, habitat, food Disturbance Shelter, Habitat, Food Unstable substrate Stable substrate Few human uses Many human uses

Figure 14: Seagrass succession diagram (Edwards, 2000) Significant invertebrates in the seagrasses of St Maarten include a much reduced population of Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), Cushion Stars (Oreaster reticulata), Sea Cucumber (Holothuria mexicana), Sea Urchins (Tripneustes venricosus, Lytechinus variegates, Meoma ventricosa) and the Upside Down Jellyfish (Cassiopeia frondosa).

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LOCATION Seagrasses can be found mainly along St Maarten’s southern and south-western (Leeward) shores including Little Bay. Oyster Pond (Image 5) on the eastern coast also has some seagrass stands.

Image 5: A mixture of Turtle Grass (Thalassia testudinum) and Manatee Grass (Syringodium filiforme) at Oyster Pond (source: NAFSXM).

CONDITION The seagrasses in Simpson Bay Lagoon and in Oyster Pond have all but disappeared as a result of pollution, anchoring and eutrophication caused by excessive nutrients entering coastal waters. The overfishing of Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) has also disrupted the dense root networks of the seagrasses removing their sediment binding and trapping function which results in murkier waters and mobile sediments.

Dredging of vast areas of seagrass in the lagoons and bays for land reclamation has lead to the destruction of much of the seagrass habitat of St. Maarten. Dredging and landfill continue to threaten the remaining areas of seagrass around the island.

VALUE The seagrass beds of St Maarten provide a biological filter system for the waters within the bays and lagoons. This should give the water its striking azure blue colour which is an essential feature to attract Tourists to the area, which in turn supports local businesses. The seagrasses also prevent terrestrial sediments from reaching the reef where they would smother and kill coral reef organisms.

The seagrass beds also provide a nursery and habitat for numerous commercially and recreationally valued marine animals such as Conch and juvenile fish. Internationally endangered species such as turtles also depend on the well being of the seagrass for their survival.

SEABED – SAND AND ALGAE

INTRODUCTION Little is known about the sandy habitats between the shores of St Maarten and the off-shore coral reefs. The habitat is understood to be home to various species of crustacean, sea stars, shrimps and nudibranch. Marine plants also exist in some areas including species of seagrass and algae.

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SEABED – CORAL REEFS

INTRODUCTION Most reefs on St. Maarten are patch reefs, small isolated reef areas that develop from the substrate. The upper reef slopes have spur and groove features i.e. coral ridges alternated by sand channels. The spurs are typically dominated by massive coral species. Algae, sponges and corals have established themselves on the spurs. The sandy groove areas support little coral or algae growths because of the mobile, scouring nature of the sand. The grooves often open out to an area of rubble and coarse sand.

During a survey carried out in 2000-2001, experts involved with The Reef Environmental Education Foundation survey counted 153 species of reef fish over 24 different coral reef sites. The five most common species encountered were; Blue Tang (Acanthurus coeruleus), Bluehead (Thalassoma bifasciatum), Sergeant Major (Abudefduf saxatilis), Spotted Goatfish (Pseudupeneus maculatus), Ocean Surgeonfish (Acanthurus bahianus). The five least common species encountered were; Yellowtail Hamlet (Hypoplectrus chlorurus), Tiger Grouper (Mycteroperca tigris), Shortstripe Goby (Gobiosoma chancei), Orange Filefish (Aluterus schoepfii), Chain Moray (Echidna catenata). See Appendix 3 for further details.

Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) are seen frequently around St Maarten and have become a tourist attraction. Other sharks are infrequently seen at various points around the island indicating that they are present but cryptic, including; Blacktip Sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus). There are also periodic sightings of rays including manta rays, stingrays and spotted eagle rays. Most sightings come from the dive sites off the East coast.

A joint survey between NAFSXM and ReefKeeper International in 2001 looked in detail at the coral reefs at 3 dive sites; Hen & Chicken, Molly Béday and Mike’s Maze (see Appendix 3). At Hen and Chicken dive site the most abundant species was Fire coral (Millepora alcicornis, Millepora squarrosa). Fire coral and Boulder star coral (Montastrea annularis) were the most abundant at Molly Béday. Symmetrical Brain coral (Diploria strigosa), Fire coral and Mustard hill coral (Porites asteroides) were the most abundant at Mike’s Maze. Rough star coral (Isophyllastrea rigida) and Ten-ray star coral (Madracis decactis) were the least evident species of coral, only covering 1.3% of the study site at Molly Beday.

Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) and Staghorn coral (Acropora cerviconis) are not common in St Maarten’s waters. By contrast, Pillar Coral (Dendogyra cylindrica), sponges and soft corals such as sea fans, sea whips and other gorgonians are abundant.

Countless species of invertebrates such as Banded Coral Shrimp (Stenopus hispidus), Lobster (Panulirus argus), Queen Conch (Stombuis gigas), Helmet Conch (Cassis flammea), Long Spined Urchin (Diadema antillarium), Lettuce sea slug (Tridachia crispate), Azure Vase Sponge (Callyspongia plicifera) and the Cushion Sea Star (Oreaster reticulates) live on the coral reefs of St Maarten. As do many different species of algae from the aptly named Sea pearl (Ventricaria ventricosa) and Mermaids Tea Cup (Udotea cyathiformis) to the reef building crustose coralline algae’s.

In addition to supporting a wealth of marine organisms (Image Group 8), the coral reefs of St Maarten also support the Islands economy which is dependant on tourism. The reefs are the basis of the fishing activity that takes place on the island and the structure of the reef protects coastal developments from waves and storm surges.

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43 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

44 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

Image Group 8: A selection of Marine animals found on the coral reefs of St. Maarten, clockwise from top left; Flamingo Tongue (Cyphoma gibbosum) on a gorgonian, Longlure Frogfish (Antennarius multiocellatus) between pink sponge, Azure Vase Sponge (Callyspongia plicifer), Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Palometa (Trachinotus goodei) and a Roughhead Blenny (Acanthemblemaria aspera) in a Brain Coral (Diploria sp.) (all sourced from NAFSXM).

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LOCATION

Rocky outcrops/spur and groove reefs Shallow spur and groove reefs can be found at ‘Spanish Rock’ (3-8m). At ‘Molly BeDay’ dive site a large rock and smaller boulders show considerable coral cover at depths down to 20m. The crevices made make this an ideal habitat for many crustaceans. ‘Hen and Chick’ (Image Group 9)is a series of rocks with a mini sub-marine wall dropping down 20+m to a sandy bottom, giving the area the appearance of a crater. At a depth of 8m, the reef is topped with Elkhorn Coral and many types of fish thrive here.

Image Group 9: Rocky reef at Hen and Chick (left), Fish Bowl Cavern (right) (source: NFSXM).

Patch reefs ‘Fish bowl’ reef is a coral garden, housing many species of fish, which also attracts Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum). ‘Little Sister’ is a reef formation lying in +/-30m of water, in the middle of a large sandy area. Sponges and seafans provide refuge for fish, lobsters, moray eels Hawksbill Turtles. A deep reef – ‘Isabella Reef’ lying in 35+m of water, is the home to large stingrays, Garden Eels (Heteroconger halis), lobsters and giant tube sponges. A dive site known as ‘One Step Beyond’ is one of the larger patch reefs of St Maarten. Staghorn Coral and many other coral species are home to fish in large quantities. At +/-30m depth, barracuda, moray eels, turtles, and lobster can be found Explorers reef is home to many soft corals, crinoids and anemones.

Caves The Maze reef offers some mini-cave diving where turtles, rays and large French Angelfish are common. Long submarine canyons run parallel to each other at depths of 20m at a site known as Time Tunnels, where sightings of Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari) and Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma 46 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan cirratum) are frequent. The 'Alleys' is a series of rock formations with a cave at their base. Further south is 'Cable Reef' with more caves and an abundance of fish life.

CONDITION Increases in nutrient and sediment runoff due to coastal development are harmful to coral reefs. The higher concentration of particles in the water leads to increased turbidity and lower light availability for coral growth. The raised nutrient concentrations stimulate the growth of algae, which can out compete hard corals for settlement space. Nutrients usually enter the marine environment as part of a sewage or runoff cocktail that includes pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals and toxic chemicals, all of which kill corals and effect fish life.

From the study carried out in 2001 (Appendix 3) Hen & Chicken Reef is the shallowest and closest to shore of the three reefs studied. It also has the highest percent bottom cover by algae. This suggests that unsustainable coastal development on St Maarten (nutrients, run off and pollution) is directly affecting the coral reef communities (Image Group 10).

Image Group 10: Poor waste water disposal in Simpson Bay and terrestrial runoff (shown here by the river of dirty water running down the road) into Great Bay are likely to be responsible for considerable damage to St. Maarten’s coral reefs (Source: NAFSXM).

St Maartens coral reefs face a number of pressures, some natural and some man-made, though global warming is clearly the most significant. In addition to storm damage, significant natural impacts on Maartens reefs during the 1970s and 1980s include an outbreak of white band disease (1980-1982), which caused the death of 90% of the standing stock of Staghorn Coral (Acropora cervicornis) and Elkhorn Coral (Acropora palmata). This was followed by the mass mortality of Black Spiny Sea Urchin (Diadema antillarum) one of the most important grazers on Caribbean reefs. Both 47 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan events were thought to have been caused by a water-borne pathogen and both impacted on the entire Caribbean Basin.

There have been repeated Caribbean wide coral bleaching events since 1989 some of which have caused wide spread mortality of corals. Particularly sever episodes were recorded in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, with the most significant global mass bleaching event ever recorded in 1998. Most recently, in 2005 a particularly intense coral bleaching event occurred which affected most parts of the Caribbean.

General comments on the health of St Maarten’s coral reefs by Thomas J. Goreau are given in Box 1.

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General comments on St Maarten Reef Health by Thomas J. Goreau, PhD, President, Global Coral Reef Alliance (October 2006)

The high algae cover by Dictyota indicates that there are moderately high nutrient levels even in areas that are not exposed to land based sources of nutrients. This suggests that there are high natural inputs from deep cold waters, probably caused by the shallow thermocline and the activity of breaking internal waves in Atlantic waters to the east of Sint Maarten. The high background of nutrients is also indicated by high turbidity caused by suspended plankton, high abundances of sponges, which are bacteria feeders, of soft corals including gorgonians and Palythoa, many of which can take up suspended organic matter, and of jellyfish, primarily Aurelia aurita, which feed on zooplankton that eat the phytoplankton that bloom in upwelling nutrient rich waters. High natural nutrient backgrounds offshore indicate that even stricter control of land-based sources of nutrient pollution is needed to prevent explosive weedy algae overgrowth, or eutrophication, of coastal waters.

Coral diseases were relatively low in frequency compared to most Caribbean sites. No White Plague was seen, the most common and fastest spreading coral disease in the Caribbean. Nor was White Pox noted. Only a few cases of Yellow Band and White Band disease were seen. However Dark Spot disease was fairly common, and Sea Fan disease (Asperillogosis) was fairly common. The relatively low amount of coral disease may be due to the low density of corals and their location upstream of the major sources of Caribbean pollution.

There was a fairly high level of residual coral bleaching, in late stages of recovery, remaining in corals that had survived the 2005 bleaching event, the worst to affect the northeast Caribbean to date, primarily in Montastrea cavernosa and Agaricia agaricites. Long-term satellite sea surface temperatures in the region, tabulated for Anguilla, St. Kitts, Barbuda, and Antigua, show about a 1 degree C increase in the last 20 years. Increased severity of bleaching in the coming years is certain as global warming accelerates, making the importance of coral reef restoration projects using Biorock technology especially crucial because this is the only method that can increase coral growth rates and survival from environmental stress.

Although there have been few studies of reefs in St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Bathelemy, and Anguilla, all observers agree on the rareness of well developed coral reefs, compared for example to the well developed (but almost entirely dead) reefs that surround Antigua and Barbuda. The general low coral cover and small coral size suggest that this area has never had very well developed reefs, and that corals were in early stages of colonizing the region. Due to the fact that this corner of the Caribbean is upcurrent of the rest of the region, it is very difficult for coral larvae to reach this area upstream of the normal currents, so it is one of the last parts of the region to develop reefs. This makes protection of existing reefs, and expansion of live coral coverage especially crucial, since the coral reefs have had little chance to develop and mature prior to their current severe stress from accelerating global warming.

Many of the corals seen were small and young, and the coral larvae that produced many of them may have been due to the exceptional reverse movement of Hurricane Lenny in 1999, which may have transported coral larvae against the normal current directions. Several distinctive features include unusually high levels of young corals of species that are especially common in Curacao and Bonaire, where Lenny originated, especially Flower Coral (Eusmillia fastigiata), abundant young corals of colors that are very unusual in other parts of the Caribbean, including pink Porites divaricata, green Diploria clivosa and Diploria labyrinthiformis, and low morphotype diversity of most coral species. This suggests that the area has an unusual and restricted range of coral genetic diversity.

The referenced text and further site-specific details can be seen in Appendix 5

Box 1: Comments on the general reef health of St. Maarten by T.J. Goreau (2006)

49 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

VALUE The coral reefs of St Maarten attract thousands of visitors a year, who spend millions of tourist dollars on St Maarten. Most of the visitors come for and make use of the marine environment, whether they are lounging on a beach, sailing a yacht, snorkelling or SCUBA diving (Image Group 11). St Maarten’s economy depends on this tourism which provides income for business as diverse as coral reef education visits, cruise lines, restaurants and realty. The building blocks of the reef, hard corals, give protection to shore side developments by reducing wave energy. Hard corals and calcareous algae along with other organisms with shells produce coral sand which has been used for building and a range of other applications, and more importantly helps to replenish the islands beaches through sediment transfers after storm events.

Image Group 11: Cruise ships in Great Bay with many passengers taking part in diving, Divers have a close encounter with a Hawksbill turtle (Eretomychelys imbrocota) on a reef (Source: NAFSXM).

The reefs are valuable as a habitat for many fish which commercial, artisanal and sport fisheries depend on. The coral reefs of St Maarten also provide a habitat for numerous creatures other than fish and coral. Countless species of crustaceans, worms, anemones, jellyfish, molluscs, echinoderms (cucumbers and star fish) bryozoans, sponges and tunicates live on the reefs and form part of an intricate and highly evolved ecosystem.

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INTERTIDAL -BEACHES AND SAND DUNES

INTRODUCTION Sand dunes form when sand is carried by the wind from the beach towards the land. Dunes are highly dynamic coastal features, and especially when they are not anchored by vegetation, they may undergo rapid changes over short time periods. They can move inland as a result of onshore winds and are eroded by wave action and high water associated with severe storms. The vegetation cover represents the difference between a mobile pile of sand and a stabilized dune (Anon., 1998) Generally, native dune grasses, trailing vines and small perennials are the most hardy species and are found on the seaward face of the dunes. Shrubs and trees are more abundant in the back-dune zone.

Image 6: The beach and dunes at Guana Bay are a favoured turtle nesting site, here the nest has been protected from trampling (source: NAFSXM).

Beaches are formed by waves, currents and tidal action, with waves generally being the predominant force. Within the surf zone, deep water waves begin to interact with the seabed. This results in changes in the direction and height of the incoming waves, which tend to align themselves in a direction parallel to the shoreline. Depending on the actual direction from which these waves approach, sand or other material may be transported along the shore or in an onshore/offshore direction, or a combination of both.

LOCATION St Maarten’s beaches are active and mobile and their features depend on the maritime conditions at any point in time. Beaches exist on the west and south and east shores:

! West: Cupecoy Bay; Mullet Beach; Maho Bay; Burgeaux Bay. ! South: Simpson Bay; Lay Bay; Cole Bay; Cay Bay. South: Little Bay; Great Bay. ! East: Geneve Bay; Guana Bay (Image 6); Gibbs Bay. East: Red Pond Bay; Dawn Beach. Pointe Blanche Bay; The Devil's Cupper; Back Bay.

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CONDITION Dunes and beaches around much of St Maarten have been developed for tourism resulting in destruction of flora and threats to wildlife such as nesting turtles (see Image Groups 12, 13). The recent construction of the Westin Beach Resort at Dawn Beach has had a significant impact on the dunes and the beaches. The dunes have been built on and vehicles continue to drive on the beaches, endangering the animals and plants that live there. Development and human activity on beaches disrupts nesting turtles that require low light conditions and no disturbances to lay their eggs.

Image Group 12: Clockwise from top left – all photographs from Dawn Beach; Run off polluting the beach, extensive construction, heavy machinery operating on the beach near materials stored ontop of vegetation, tyre tracks on the beach (Source: NAFSXM).

VALUE The value of St Maarten’s beaches and dunes lies not only in the money which can be made from selling the sand for construction and to create artificial beaches but also in tourism dollars. Tourists demand various physical attributes of the tropical destinations they visit and sandy beaches are definitely one of the features in high demand (TourMap, 2005). Additionally, beaches support fragile but important flora which binds the sand, prevents erosion and speeds further sand accumulation. Beaches are important nesting sites for 3 species of turtles; Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) and occasional Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) nests (Powell et al., 2005). The main turtle nesting sites are; Dawn Beach, Gibbs Bay, Guana Bay, Simpson Bay, Oyster Pond.

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st Image Group 13: The development of Simpson Bay Lagoon from the 1970s to the 21 century (Source: A. Caballero).

INTERTIDAL - MANGROVES

INTRODUCTION Mangrove forests world-wide are under severe pressure and disappearing in an alarming rate. It is estimated that about 60% of the total mangrove areas in the world have disappeared. This is mainly contributed to large scale land clearance for coastal development. Mangroves are trees growing in inter tidal areas. Around St Maarten, four species of mangroves can be found; Rhizophora mangle (Red mangrove), Avicennia germinans (Black mangrove), Laguncularia racemosa (White Mangrove) and Conocarpus erectus (Buttonwood). Simpson Bay had the most significant stand of mangroves on St Maarten, although coastal developments in the past have removed much of the forest.

Mangrove forests grow in a pattern from the native terrestrial plants through to the highly adapted Red Mangroves with their specialised prop roots. Table 2 summarises the characteristics of the different vegetation zones.

Vegetation that grows on land and is intolerant of salty soil or water, such as Terrestrial A Pepper Cinnamon (Canella alba), Black Loblolly (Pisonia subcordata), Choaky vegetation Berry (Eugenia axillaris), and ferns. The white mangrove, Laguncularia racemosa, usually occupies the highest elevations farther upland than either the red or black mangroves. Unlike its red White or black counterparts, the white mangrove has no visible aerial root systems. B mangrove The easiest way to identify the white mangrove is by the leaves. They are zone elliptical, light yellow green and have two distinguishing glands at the base of the leaf blade where the stem starts (See Appendix 3). The black mangrove, Avicennia germinans, usually occupies slightly higher Black elevations upland from the red mangrove. The black mangrove can be identified C mangrove by numerous finger-like projections, called pneumatophores, which protrude zone from the soil around the tree's trunk. The red mangrove, Rhizophora mangle, is probably the most well-known. It Red typically grows along the water's edge, especially around Simpson Bay. The red D mangrove mangrove is easily identified by its tangled, reddish roots called ‘prop roots’. The zone roots are usually exposed at low tide but covered at high tide.

Table 2: Typical Mangrove zonation in St Maarten The mangrove forests on St Maarten provide a habitat for a number of different plants and animals dispersed from the muddy sediments through the trees into the canopy (see Figure 15). These include many invertebrates, reptiles, fish and birds.

Arboreal (tree) fauna e.g. birds, reptiles, insects

Marine hard bottom High tide flora and fauna e.g. hydroids and Marine fauna bivalves. visitors at high tide e.g. fish, crabs and

Marine soft-bottom prawns

fauna e.g. Polychaete worms, molluscs, Low tide crustaceans

Figure 15: The vertical distribution of large animals in mangrove forests

St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Significant invertebrates in the mangroves of St Maarten are similar to those found in seagrasses e.g. Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), Milk Conch (Strombus costatus), Cushion Stars (Oreaster reticulata), Sea Cucumber (Holothuria mexicana), Sea Urchins (Tripneustes venricosus, Lytechinus variegates, Meoma ventricosa) and the Upside Down Jellyfish (Cassiopeia frondosa). The Atlantic Triton (Charonia variegate).

Many different fish species use the mangroves of St Maarten as a habitat. The species most likely to be seen include; Striped Parrotfish (Scarus croicensis), Bluehead (Thalassoma bifasciatum), Silversides, Herrings and Anchovies (families Atherinidae, Clupeidae, Engraulidae). Other interesting species that use the mangroves include Spotted Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari), various species of Moray Eels and young sharks.

Image 7: A Red Mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) at Oyster Pond with its characteristic stilt roots. (Source: NAFSXM)

Several species of birds breed in the on and around the mangroves of St Maarten, these species include: American Coot (Felucia Americana), Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), Yellow-crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea), Green Heron (Butorides striatus), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus) and several plovers. Simpson Bay Lagoon is an important nesting ground for many more species and a roosting ground for migratory species on their route south (Brown & Collier, 2005).

LOCATION Remains of mangrove woodlands can be found at Oyster Pond and Simpson Bay. Around Oyster Pond lagoon all four mangrove species can found however the populations of Red Mangroves (Image 7) (Rhizophora mangle) and Black Mangroves (Avicennia germinans) are scarce.

All four mangrove species are found along the south side of Simpson Bay. Red Mangrove dominates near the airport and followed by a strip of Black and White Mangroves, while Button Wood grows further inland. This Mangrove stand becomes denser near Mullet Bay, where White Mangrove dominates. The cove at Cupecoy and Little Bay Pond also have stands of mangrove woodland.

CONDITION All of the mangroves on St Maarten are currently threatened by pollution and development (Image Group 14), even though they only cover a very small area of the coastline. Around Little Bay Pond, Red Pond and Fresh Pond small Mangrove stands remain, but without any significant Red Mangrove 55 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan growth. Hurricane Luis in September 1995 caused severe damage to the mangrove forests, especially to the Red Mangroves. This highlighted the importance of mangroves in their coastal protection role. Some seedlings did survive the hurricane which alongside a NFSXM initiated planting programme in 2004/2005 should help to re-establish mangroves in critical areas.

Image Group 14: Dead and disturbed mangroves at Mullet Bay (Source: NAFSXM).

VALUE The mangroves that still exist on St Maarten are an important sanctuary, breeding and foraging ground for many wetland birds, marine invertebrates and fish. In the past, the bays have also been home for two globally endangered species: Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Queen Conch (Strombus gigas).

Mangroves act as a filter for water being washed off the land by preventing harmful sediments from smothering the coral reef. By establishing themselves successfully, the mangrove trees become a thriving habitat for many other plants and animals as well as an important nursery for many species of fish. Fish using the mangroves as a nursery include Schoolmasters (Lutjanus apodus), Gray Snapper (Lutjanus griseus), Great Barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and the Foureye butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus).

The well being of the bays and mangroves is essential for a range of human uses. Bays attract beach users, snorkellers and kayakers that financially support local tourist orientated businesses.

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INTERTIDAL - ROCKY SHORES

INTRODUCTION Rocky shores form the transition between terrestrial and marine environments, and are thus exposed to very different physical conditions. In the course of a day, rocky shores are covered with seawater at high tide and exposed directly to the air at low tide. With high tides and storm surges, the rocky shores become covered, at low tides, rock pools form.

Most rocky shores are the remains of ancient coral reefs filled in by pieces of calcareous algae and the skeletons of microscopic amoebas, the foraminiferans, all cemented together by intense pressures over time (Image Group 15). The resulting limestone is highly soluble. It dissolves readily as the warm seas create agitation against it, as the pure rainwater runs down its sides, as the boring sponges and sea urchins grind holes into it. The result is a pitted, gouged surface, weathered grey and so eroded that it is often hard to stand on, with channels, gullies, and pools that swell with water at each surge of the sea.

Various forms of algae dominate the intertidal area, since other organisms find it difficult to cope with extreme heat, desiccation and ultraviolet ray stress. Species of snails are very abundant in the rock pools of St Maarten, and they graze on algae contributing to bioerosion of the limestone. Barnacles are conspicuous by their absence. Mussels are often absent or below the low water mark. Intertidal communities in the Caribbean are restricted to a relatively small area because of the small tides (a maximum tidal range of around 45cm).

Image Group 15: Rocky shores of St. Maarten (Source: NAFSXM)

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LOCATION Three different areas within the intertidal rocky shore have been identified. These were first described by (Kaplan, 1988), and are outlined in the table below;

Zone Description Black Is wetted completely during spring tides and some high tides, but during much of the month it remains dry except for spray. There are usually cracks and fissures in the rocks and these are often inundated, forming a habitat for cryptic animals and plants. Microscopic algae colours the rock black by forming a thin blanketing. Yellow Is a truly intertidal zone, with its upper limit delimited by average high tide. It is inhabited by many exclusively marine organisms. The powdery yellow-gray colour is probably due to the algae that inhabit this area Pink Is a zone of encrusting pink coralline algae. It is usually a white to bright pink band, composed of a smooth crust of encrusting calcareous red algae. Table 3: Zonation on Rocky shores. Rocky shores with significant intertidal communities can be found at a number of locations around St Maarten, including Dawn Beach, Guana Bay, Harbour, Great Bay, Cay Bay, Pelikan Poin – Lay Bay, Simpson Bay Lagoon, Beacon Hill, Cupecoy Bay Burgeaux Bay; Little Bay; Pointe Blanche Bay; The Devil's Cupper; Back Bay; Geneve Bay; Guana Bay Point.. Marine life found here include: mussels, chitons (Acanthopleura granulate), sea urchins, grazing snails, sea stars, hermit crabs, sea anemones and mosses. A species list of organisms found in these areas can be seen in Appendix 3.

CONDITION Around St Maarten the rocky shores are mostly intact, although development pressure is threatening the removal of some to make way for tourist developments (Image Group 16). Some interesting formations exist, the significance of which is unknown.

Image Group 16: Residential and Tourist developments clinging to rocky shores Pont Blanch and Cupecoy (Source NAFSXM) The limestone around St Maarten is continually being eroded by chemical, biological and physical erosion. These processes take many years to operate, and result in the formation of craggy cliffs and plateaus as well as complex drainage channels (Anon, 2003).

VALUE The rocky shores provide essential protection from the sea by acting as a barrier from the pounding waves. Little is known about the many different plants and animals which inhabit the rock pools, and their importance within the wider environment.

The shore line (including sandy areas) also provides a habitat for birds such as the endangered Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) and Royal Terns (Sterna maxima) as well as the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata). On the rocky islets offshore, the endangered Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri)

58 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan and Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) can be found nesting. The Magnificent Frigate Bird (Fregata magnificens) can also be found roosting in the same areas (Brown & Collier, 2005).

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1.10 Special interest habitats and species

HABITATS OF INTEREST There are a number of habitats associated or occurring within St Maarten Marine Park that have significant environmental value.

Salt Ponds and Lagoons St. Martin is one of the few islands in the mostly dry region of the eastern Caribbean containing expansive wetlands, making it critical habitat for transient, over-wintering, and resident waterbird species (Image 8). The brackish or sometimes hypersaline character of these ponds results from their proximity to the sea, rainfall, and evaporation. But the salinity can fluctuate considerably: after heavy rains for instance, the water will be more brackish than in the dry season because of the diluting effect of the rainwater.

These variable salinity conditions mean that only well adapted plants and animals can live in and around the ponds. Mangroves, Manchineel Trees, brine flies, small marine snails and several fish species are able to tolerate the extreme conditions (species lists for Simpson Bay Lagoon are presented in Appendix 3). Such small animals make the ponds important foraging areas for birds, including plovers and sandpipers. The endangered Snowy Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), uses the wetlands as a nesting area. Other regionally important species such as Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates), Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia), and Stilt Sandpiper (Calidris himantopus) have been observed in the wetlands. (Brown & Collier, 2005) – see Appendix 3.

Image 8: Panoramic view of the great salt pond (Source: NAFSXM)

Unfortunately, the salt ponds of St Maarten are threatened by filling for land reclamation and erosion which both lead to eutrophication and sediment loading. Changes in the sediments and nutrients in the salt ponds leads to the loss of the areas plants and animals.

The ponds are also used by boat traffic and they act as a hurricane safe haven.

Caves and Karsts Karstic (Limestone) Caves located in the marine and terrestrial fossilised coral reefs around the Island are distinctive ecosystems. The caves and tunnels underground contain many species of invertebrates, and are likely to be home to fish species that only live in caves (Wagenaar Hummelinck, 1979). Relatively little is known about these environments and they are a challenge to explore.

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SPECIES OF INTEREST

Endangered Species St Maarten is a home, migratory stop over or breeding site for 3 IUCN Red List Species, 10 CITES Appendix I species and 89 Appendix II species, including many fish, crustaceans and all of the corals found in the surrounding waters (Table 4 and Image Group 17). Further details on the classifications can be found in Appendix4, or on the websites; www.redlist.org or www.cites.org.

Species Common Name Status Physeter catodon GREAT SPERM WHALE CITES Appendix I Balaenoptera acutorostrata MINKE WHALE CITES Appendix I Balaenoptera edeni BRYDE’S WHALE CITES Appendix I Balaenoptera physalis FIN WHALE CITES Appendix I Megaptera novaeangliae HUMPBACK WHALE CITES Appendix I Chelonia mydas GREEN TURTLE IUCN Red List, CITES Appendix I Dermochelys coriacea LEATHERBACK IUCN Red List, CITES Appendix I Eretmochelys imbricata HAWKSBILL TURTLE IUCN Red List, CITES Appendix I Caretta caretta LOGGERHEAD TURTLE CITES Appendix I Lepidochelys olivacea OLIVE RIDLEY CITES Appendix I Falco peregrinus PERIGRINE FALCON CITES Appendix I Table 4: Internationally endangered species.

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Image Group 17: Clockwise from top left; Endangered species: Laughing gull (Larus atricilla), Green Iguana Iguana iguana, Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) (Source: NAFSXM)

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Other Significant species Species Common Name Significance Great Salt Pond - Regionally significant Larus atricilla LAUGHING GULL stop-over site2 Little Bay Pond Fresh Pond - Regionally Fulica caribaea CARIBBEAN COOT significant Near Threatened population Circus cyaneus NORTHERN HARRIER;HEN HARRIER Marine Park is a migratory stop over Falco columbarius MERLIN Marine Park is a migratory stop over Monophyllus plethodon LONG NOSED BAT Ardops nichollsi COMMON TREE BAT Natalus stramineus FUNNEL-EARED BAT Artibeus jamaicensis JAMAICAN FIG-EATING BAT Regionally significant populations Brachyphylla cavernarum PIG-NOSED/BLOSSOM BAT Molossus molossus VELVETY MASTIFF BAT Tadarida brasiliensis BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BAT Noctilio leporinus FISHING BAT Iguana iguana GREEN IGUANA CITES Appendix II Table 5: Significant species on St. Maarten.

2 Further, detailed information on the bird species of St Maarten can be found at: http://www.epicislands.org/ 63 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

1.11 Human use of the Marine Environment The most important human use of the marine park is for recreational activities on and around the coast. Including recreational fishing and yachting. Commercial fishing activity in the park is very limited as most of it is focused off shore. The marine park is also used by cruise boats and commercial shipping traffic.

TOURISM AND RECREATION The top 3 primary attractions for thousands of visitors to St Maarten are a warm climate, attractive beaches and attractive scenery (TourMap, 2005). This makes beach recreation and related marine activities are the mainstay of St Maarten’s economy.

Around 250,000 stay over tourists and some 1.5 million cruise ship passengers make use of the marine environment (Image Group 18). Cruise ship visitors have risen significantly in number over recent years (Figure 16) and are expected to increase further in the near future with the construction of a new dock in Great Bay. Many additional visitors also arrive by private yachts. The majority of visitors and locals alike take part in diving and snorkelling activities. 67% of cruise visitors take part in marine activities including diving, fishing, boat trips, beach visits and other water sports. 77% of stay over tourists take part in some marine related activity – boat trips, water sports and scuba diving.

Figure 16: Cruise tourist growth 1999 – 2005 (source: (TourMap, 2005)) Many other water activities take place on St Maarten including Power boating (including Banana Boat rides and parasailing), jet skiing, kayaking, glass bottom boating, waterskiing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and yachting. The latter wind sports benefit from the constant trade winds from the East.

Image Group 18: Currently up to 8 cruise boats can visit Great Bay at one time (left). Tourists experience a close encounter with a turtle (source: NAFSXM).

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FISHERIES Recreational fishing takes place on St Maarten in the form of casual shore fishing and sport fishing, including deep water charters where Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish and other pelagic species are targeted. Artisanal fishing also takes place using beach seine nets and hand lines. There are 27 commercial fishing vessels employing around 50 fisherfolk. A fish market that is subsidised by the government takes place every day north of Simpson Bay Lagoon (see Table 6 for prices). Illegal spearfishing takes place to some extent, and Conch are also taken unsustainably.

Species Common name Price per Kilo Panulirus argus Caribbean Spiny Lobster $12-18 Lutjanus campechanus Red Snapper $8 Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail snapper $8 Strombus gigas Queen Conch $7-8 Acanthocybium solandri Wahoo $8 Coryphaena hippurus Dolphin fish $8 Thunnus sp. Tuna $6-8 Selar crumenophthalmus Big Eye Scad $4-5 Table 6: Commercially targeted species and market prices (Dilrosun, 2004)

SHIPPING Great Bay has developed as the main area for cruise boats since it is a large natural harbour, with deep waters allowing ships with drafts in excess of 12m (40ft) to approach the harbour. Great Bay is also used by the main petroleum companies for storage, which is a source of shipping traffic for fuel transhipment. The freight container port for the whole island located at the south of Great Bay.

Other shipping traffic makes use of the industrial zone area at Cay Bay, and the area close to the Simpson Bay Bridge for storing cement and bricks. Some fuelling from tankers which is potentially hazardous for the marine resources of the island takes place within the marine park.

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1.12 References

Anon. (2003). Ecological Study on Rocky Shores from St Maarten (Netherlands Antilles), Universidad de Sevilla. Anon. (2005). Climatological summary 2005. The Meterological Service of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Curacao. Anon. (1998). Manual for Sand Dune Management in the Wider Caribbean, pp. 66. Caribbean Environment Programme, United Nations Environment Programme. Bacon, P. R. (1978). Flora and fauna of the Caribbean, an introduction to the ecology of the West Indies. Key Caribbean Publications Ltd,, Port of Spain, Trinidad. Brown, A. & Collier, N. (2005). Pond Surveys of St Maarten: 2005 Report, pp. 19. Environmental Protection in the Caribbean, Riviera Beach. CBS. (2005). Central Bureau of Statistics: www.cbs.an. Cope, E. D. (1889). Synopsis of the families of Vertebrata. American Naturalist 23, 849-877. De Palm, J. (1985). Encyclopedie van de Nederlandse Antillen. De Walburg Pers, Zutphen. Dilrosun, F. (2004). Inventory of the Fishery Sector of St Maarten. EcoVision/AID Environment. (1996). Zoning plan for the Hillside-area Sint Maarten. Edwards, A. (2000). Seagrasses. MSc Lecture Notes. Husson, A. M. (1960). De Zoogdieren van de Nederlandse Antillen. Uitgaven "Nat.Wet.Werkgr.N.A.", Curaçao. Kaplan, E. H. (1988). A Field Guide to Southeastern and Caribbean Seashores. Petterson Field Guides. Koopman, K. F. (1968). Taxonomic and Distributional Notes on Lesser Antillean Bats. Am.Mus.Novitates. 2333, 1-13. Lee, T. N., Johns, W. E., Zantopp, R. & Fillenbaum, E. R. (1996). Moored observations of western boundary current variability and thermohaline circulation 26.5°N in the subtropical North Atlantic. Journal of Physical Oceanography , 962-963. Mc Elroy, J. L. (2003). Tourism Development in Small Islands Across the World. Geogr. Ann. 85 B, 231-242. Powell, R., Henderson, W. H. & Parmerlee, J. S. (2005). The Reptiles and Amphibians of the Dutch Caribbean. St Eustatius, Saba and St Maaarten. St Eustatius National Parks Foundation, Gallows Bay. Rojer, A. (1997). Biological inventory of St Maarten, pp. http://www.mina.vomil.an/Pubs/RojerSXM- index.html. Carmabi Foundation, Curacao. TourMap. (2005). St Maarten Tourism Masterplan. Wagenaar Hummelinck, P. (1979). Caves of the Netherlands Antilles. Natuurhistorische Reeks, No.1. Westermann, J. H. (1957). De Geologische Geschiedenis der drie Bovenwindse eilanden St. Martin, Saba en St. Eustatius., vol. no. 7, pp. 127-168. Nat.Wet.Werkgr.N.A.

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2 MANAGEMENT ENVIRONMENT

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2.1 Introduction Understanding the goals and objectives of a protected area and the range of direct and indirect threats are essential elements of any management plan. Nature Foundation St Maarten chose to adopt an adaptive management framework for its management planning for the St Maarten Marine Park. Adaptive management provides a logical approach to management planning which is highly prioritised and threat orientated. The stepwise implementation of this plan coupled with the continued participation in the DCNA Management Success Project will provide the framework for actions and feedback, allowing effective actionbs to be identified.

The key elements of the adaptive management framework are:

1. Identifying and describing the significance and condition of natural values within the marine park 2. Identifying and describing the threats and issues facing the natural values 3. Assessing which threats pose the greatest risk to the natural values 4. Developing and prioritizing management objectives 5. Developing and implementing management actions to address threats 6. Measuring the success of those management actions 7. Adapting management approaches based on the outcome of measured actions.

Information on the significance of the ecosystems, habitats and species found within the St Maarten Marine Park as well as their general condition has been presented in Part 1. This is summarized and highlighted in the statement of significance and values. Part 2 goes on to identify the threats and issues facing the marine park. Together with the Park’s goals and objectives this information is used to build a framework for management.

This approach is based firmly on the IUCN management cycle which seeks to ensure that there is continuous learning by reassessing and re-evaluating the success of management actions, programmes and initiatives.

The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, of which Nature Foundation St Maarten is a member, is in the process of developing a uniform tool to measure management success of the terrestrial and marine parks on each of the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean. This newly developed St Maarten Marine Park management plan is an important component of the management success project. Setting clear goals and objectives for the marine park makes it possible to begin evaluating management effectiveness and management success and assisting park managers to become ever more effective in their management planning and implementation.

Natural values: The intrinsic natural values of the marine park include: ! Rich diversity of marine life and habitats (biodiversity) ! Ecological processes such as reproduction and foraging ! Unique marine life including species with limited distribution and endemic species ! Internationally and/or locally threatened and vulnerable marine life ! Geomorphological significant features

Issue: A situation or concern which requires a resolution at some stage. Some issues, if not addressed, could develop into a threat.

Threat: A threat is a biological, chemical or physical process or entity which has the immediate potential to harm the natural values of the park. A threat can be an entity such as a marine organism which becomes a pest, or a process such as an increase in sedimentation which damages habitat.

Impact: An impact is the effect that a threat has on the natural assets of the park. For example increased sedimentation may impact on a seagrass bed by causing reduced visibility so that the sea grass is no longer able to photosynthesise (grow) optimally causing a reduction in the amount of seagrass.

Box 2: Definitions of key terms used in section 2 68 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan 2.2 St Maarten Marine Park

The St Maarten Marine Park surrounds the Dutch side of the island from Oyster Pond to Cupecoy Bay, extending form the average high water mark to the to the 60 m depth contour. It was established in 1997 and it covers 5128 hectares, linking up with the marine reserve on the French side in the North East. The marine park is a voluntary protected area and is awaiting the approval of the Marine Park Ordinance. Some initial financing was received by from the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK) in 2001.

The main use of St Maarten Marine Park is for tourism and recreation. Staff maintain 20 permanent dive moorings on dive sites such as Molly B’day, Pelican Rock, Hen and Chicks and Proselyte Reef. The marine park encompasses a range of habitats, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, and salt water ponds, beaches and rocky shores

The Marine Park is managed by Nature Foundation St Maarten. The manager is responsible for the day to day management of the marine park, whilst NAFSXM is responsible for policy decision making, finances and personnel. NAFSXM Headquarters are located at the Great Bay Marina, Unit #3 near Philipsburg (Image Group 19).

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Image Group 19: NAFSXM offices located at the south of Great Bay (source: NAFSXM).

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2.3 Statement of Significance and Values

A statement of significance explains the protected area’s importance. The statement of significance expands upon the identification of values by adding unique qualifiers and placing the marine park within a regional, national and international context.

Key features or values are the features or values that must be protected and preserved to maintain the significance of the marine park. They may not be limited to those within the protected area boundary, and have all been recognised during the stakeholder consultations of January 2006.

Box 3: Significance and values explanation The purpose of this section is to explain why the St Maarten Marine Park is important, describing the values associated with the park, explaining why it was designated and what its benefits to society are.

Frequently the initial reasons for creating a protected area are subjective or poorly understood and badly communicated. Unless protected area values are understood, there is a risk that management actions, either deliberately or inadvertently, will adversely affect not only the natural resources but also the social and economic situation, especially that of residents. It is therefore critical that the significance and value of the marine park are clearly understood and are reflected in the park’s goals and objectives. This will ensure that everyone is ‘on the same page’ when it comes to how the marine park is to be managed and will avoid use being made of the park which is incompatible with its future conservation. As more emphasis is placed on including a range of stakeholders in the planning process, it is important to have a mechanism through which the values they hold for the area can be identified and described.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The marine environment of St Maarten includes more than 15km2 of globally threatened coral reef as well as seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. St Maarten’s marine environment is a home, migratory stop over or breeding site for 3 IUCN Red List Species, 10 CITES Appendix I species and 89 Appendix II species. The beaches and waters attract in the region of 2 million visitors a year, creating employment for 85% of the islands population. Tourism and the marine industry contribute $500 million and $30 million to the economy respectively and both depend on the well being of St Maarten’s marine resources (TourMap 2005).

Box 4: Statement of Significance.

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A SUMMARY OF VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH ST. MAARTEN MARINE PARK.

Identified through stakeholder consultation in October 2006

Environment ! Habitat that is home to many species including endangered, rare and endemic plants and animals. ! Variety of marine ecosystems ! Breeding grounds especially those for birds at Pelican Rock and the East Coast. ! Fish spawning areas on shallow reefs ! Migratory stop over for birds and sea turtles ! Shoreline protection

Fisheries ! Income for very few residents, fishery resources in near-shore waters have been depleted.

Recreation ! Yachting industry ! Diving and snorkelling ! Beaches and related activities ! Boating (power craft)

Cultural ! Traditional fishing methods used, such as traps ! Traditional fishing sites at Proselyte Reef ! Education for sciences, art etc ! Aesthetic values - Views of Saba, St Barths ! Religious offering site – some residents make religious offerings to the sea. ! ‘Beach life’ and activities

Industry ! Shipping – freight construction materials and fuel. Great bay is the only freight port for the entire island. ! Tourism – which is the mainstay of St Maarten’s economy which is dependent on the well being of the marine resource

Institution ! NAFSXM is valuable as a conservation body ! Networking capabilities ! Centre for outreach and education ! Coordinator of research and monitoring ! Government and stakeholder facilitator.

Natural features ! Hen and Chicks ! Molly Beday ! Pelican ! Cow and Calf

Historical / Archaeological sites ! Fort Amsterdam and Little Bay Cannons ! Proselyte Reef – The site of a Spanish Warship that sank in 1801 ! 5 other shipwrecks including some sunk as artificial reefs.

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OTHER VALUES

Ecological processes Sediment traps. St Maarten’s salt ponds and lagoons are a critical component of the island’s ecology and play a vital role in trapping and containing storm water and associated sediments. Foraging grounds. The salt ponds and lagoons are vitally important foraging grounds for juvenile green turtles which can be found cropping on manatee and turtle grass. Nesting grounds. The sandy beaches around St Maarten are important turtle nesting grounds. Spawning grounds. Fish spawning can be found at a number of locations around St Maarten, which are important sites for ensuring the well-being of fish populations into the future. Nursery grounds. The lagoons are important role as nursery grounds for many species of marine fish and for the globally threatened Queen conch.

Coral reefs, Mangroves and Seagrasses Coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds are all considered globally endangered ecosystems. The latest figures indicate that 70% of the world’s coral reefs could be lost in our lifetime whilst estimates suggest 60% of mangroves have been destroyed globally through mostly due to dredging, aquaculture and land conversion. The following table outlines some of the more general values† associated with these key ecosystems on St Maarten.

Coral reefs Seagrasses Mangroves ! Habitat for many animals and ! Provide habitat and food for many ! Habitat for many plants and plants animals and species animals ! Tourism ! Tourism ! Tourism ! Recreation – diving and other ! Provide shelter for juveniles of ! Fishery watersports many commercial fish species ! Nursery for fish ! Fisheries ! Consolidate sediments and reduce ! Recreational value for windsurfers ! Shoreline protection through wave energy and other watersports reduction of wave energy ! Traditional uses e.g. weaving, roof ! Traditional uses: charcoal and lime ! Production of coral sand thatch, compost, production Table 7: General values of Coral Reefs, Mangroves and Seagrasses

Endangered Species St Maarten is a home, migratory stop over or breeding site for 3 IUCN Red List Species, 10 CITES Appendix I species and 89 Appendix II species, including many fish, crustaceans and all of the corals found in the surrounding waters (Table 4 and Image Group 17). Further details on the classifications can be found in Appendix4, or on the websites; www.redlist.org or www.cites.org.

Species Common Name Status Physeter catodon GREAT SPERM WHALE CITES Appendix I Balaenoptera acutorostrata MINKE WHALE CITES Appendix I Balaenoptera edeni BRYDE’S WHALE CITES Appendix I Balaenoptera physalis FIN WHALE CITES Appendix I Megaptera novaeangliae HUMPBACK WHALE CITES Appendix I Chelonia mydas GREEN TURTLE IUCN Red List, CITES Appendix I Dermochelys coriacea LEATHERBACK IUCN Red List, CITES Appendix I Eretmochelys imbricata HAWKSBILL TURTLE IUCN Red List, CITES Appendix I Caretta caretta LOGGERHEAD TURTLE CITES Appendix I Lepidochelys olivacea OLIVE RIDLEY CITES Appendix I Falco peregrinus PERIGRINE FALCON CITES Appendix I

† Not all values are related to the direct use of the resources. For example, the well-being of the environment of St Maarten has a value for; 1. future generations that will want to use the resource and may find new uses such as medicines, and 2. the present generation who value the knowledge of the continued existence of a healthy marine resource. 73 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

2.4 Vision, Mission and Goals

VISION . MISSION GOALS A thriving actively managed and To manage, conserve 1) Manage St. sustainably used and restore St. Maarten’s marine marine environment Maarten’s marine environment around St. Maarten natural, cultural and successfully as a historical resources for regionally and education, ecological globally significant functionality and protected area, sustainable use with within an effective continued stakeholder legislative participation, for the framework and with benefit of current and commitment from future generations. stakeholders.

2) Conserve and restore, through practical conservation and active management;

a) the natural values of the marine park,

including threatened, rare and endangered species, habitats, water quality, biological diversity, ecosystem processes and aesthetic values. b) the cultural and historical marine resources of St Maarten

3) Facilitate the use of St. Maarten’s marine environment for: a) Tourism, yachting and 74 diving b) education, c) research, St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

2.5 Stakeholders Involving local communities (and other stakeholders) to regular, effective participation is essential for successful MPA management. It is particularly important in the management of marine environment to work very closely with those using the marine resource directly and those using adjacent water and terrestrial environments. This is because these areas are intrinsically linked by natural flows and processes.

An important step in establishing effective stakeholder relationships is to identify the stakeholders and their roles within the marine environment. Table 7 summarises the stakeholder groups of St Maarten Marine Park, further details of the stakeholder groups can be found in Appendix 5.

STAKEHOLDER ROLE Partnerships with environmental, cultural, heritage and animal welfare NGOs non-governmental / non-profit groups on St. Maarten and within the Caribbean region. User group catering for charter boats, and privately own vessels, Marinas and boat services mainly operating from the Simpson Bay Lagoon and Great Bay. User group encompassing activities such as diving, snorkelling, sailing, power boating, kayaking, kite surfing, windsurfing, jet-skiing and Watersports surfing. Divers and snorkellers are a particularly important stakeholder group as they depend highly on the well being of the marine resource. User group including industries in addition to tourism on St. Maarten Industry which directly or indirectly affect the marine park, such as energy production, oil and gas storage, construction. Artisanal fishing user group. High value placed on the tradition of Fishermen fishing. The law enforcement agencies, including the coastguard, customs, police and prosecutors office, advise on legal matters, the formation of Law enforcement legislation, and maintaining/enforcing the legal attributes of the marine park Permitting and maintaining the law. Communication towards user Government groups. The Marine Park Management agency, manages the marine park on behalf of Government. The tourism sector is dependent on the marine environment to a great Tourism extent, especially the condition of beaches and coral reefs for diving. Tourists Tourists use the marine park on a daily basis The local community depends on the well being of the marine park Community indirectly for income. Educational establishments use the marine park as an education tool. Partners such as the DCNA and Widecast, in addition to other Marine Parks and in particular the Reserve Naturelle on the French side of St. Partners Martin, add capacity to the marine park institution through communication and information sharing.

Table 8: Stakeholders of St Maarten Marine Park.

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2.6 Stakeholder Input

INTRODUCTION Beginning in October 2006, St. Maarten Nature Foundation carried out a series of stakeholder consultations to obtain feedback on various aspects of the Management Plan. The consultations were carried out using meetings and questionnaires. Input was also received via individual communications, list servers and existing recent reports (see Table 8).

Group Other Meeting Questionnaire Report Non-governmental organisations " Individual communications Town Fisherfolk " Marinas and boat services " Water sports " Law Enforcement " Government " Public Departments " Tourism operators " " TourMap Report 2005 Researchers and scientists " Via Coral List - server3 NAFSXM Staff " NAFSXM Board " Tourists " " TourMap Report 2005 Local people " Table 9: Stakeholder consultation methods.

The planning documents, positioning documents and detailed minutes from each of the meetings can be seen in Appendix 5, along with copies and the results of the questionnaires.

3 The Coral List server is a discussion forum subscribed to by 4000 scientists working in Tropical Marine Science. Feedback on the SXM MPA Management Plan was requested from those involved with any relevant research on the Island. 76 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

MEETING FEEDBACK The following pages summarise the main threads of input from the stakeholder meetings held in October 2006. Each of the comments below involved either extensive discussion or occurred in more than one meeting. Feedback from stakeholder meetings relating to the marine park Vision, Mission, Goals and the Management Plan structure, and values of the Marine Park have been incorporated into the text. Full meeting minutes can be found in Appendix 5.

USES ! Yachting / boating ! Diving and snorkelling ! Small scale commercial and artisanal fishing. - Main species targeted by ‘Town’ fisherfolk; Yellowtail, Jacks (targeted with Jack nets seasonally), Snapper - Request for fishing permits – and a ban for part of the year and/or a ban for 2-5 years. Permits should be for people and not boats. - Some confusion over the process of issuing fishing permits. ! The use of Jet-Ski’s is opposed – several accidents have occurred in the Great Bay. No current laws against jet-skis.

ZONATION ! Confusion over zonation and related legislation ! Effective outreach for each of the zones is needed ! Clear marker buoys for each of the zones ! Questions over the viability of Oyster pond as part of the conservation zone, and related enforcement. ! Simpson Bay Lagoon should be part of the MPA, and its conservation and restoration should be a priority. ! Anchoring zone is generally opposed by the marinas and boat services for a number of reasons. ! Requests for more conservation zones where there is currently a multiple use area encompassing a significant seagrass bed. ! Additional conservation zone requested on the western side of the MPA around Gregory’s Reef and Emma’s Reef, Frenchman’s Reefs and Moonscape – these sites have relatively little fishing and the reefs are good quality. ! Stricter rules required for the conservation zone ! No-take zones requested ! Special zones for sea-turtles incorporating breeding and feeding grounds. ! Regatta race marker buoys will need to be placed in the conservation zone

ISSUES

Historical issues ! Lack of funding ! Lack of management / regulations / legislation ! Lack of enforcement / limited enforcement officers ! Overfishing in the 70’s/80’s particularly by Haitians and Dominicans. ! Lack of integration with French side ! Over development for tourism and related pressures including pollution.

Current Issues ! Coastal Development ! Terrestrial influences on the MPA going unchecked User conflicts ! Conflict between fisherfolk and divers leading to fish taps being tampered with and moorings being cut. ! Hidden community of immigrants and users from neighbouring islands 77 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Yachts and boating ! Lack of moorings resulting in unsustainable anchoring practices, and during Regatta ! Poor management of yachts in Simpson Bay lagoon. ! Anchoring during regatta, for extra boats, start line and marker buoys Pollution ! Sewage and waste in Simpson Bay Lagoon. ! Oyster Pond water is Dutch owned but half of the surrounding is French owned. Oil storage facility located in the centre of the pond is used mainly by the French and leaks hydrocarbons into the water ! Oil spills – concern over protocol to tackle spills. SOL are the only company on the island with the equipment to contain spills and loose productivity of their own operation cleaning up other spills. ! Illegal fuelling – tax avoidance by fuelling from water based barges, fuel also delivered to yachts. Spills and leaks result. ! Litter from religious practices where items are given to the sea as offerings Fisheries ! Poor fish stocks, trips to Saba Bank exclusive to those with bigger boats ! Poaching of sea-turtles needs investigating ! Some gill net fishing ! Spearfishing taking place around tourists snorkelling Diving ! Shark dives are attracting sharks closer to shore especially in high season, a 5ft Black Tip has been seen in Great Bay from the dock. Sharks are taking fish catches. ! Dive Safari’s want to continue running shark dives, French side dive operators also feeding sharks.

Management Issues Governance ! Population accepting laws ! Government support ! Lack of buy-in from Yachters and marinas for marine park legislation, concern over the future of the yachting industry on St. Maarten. ! Responsibility for legislation and related actions such as mooring placement for the traffic zone. ! Extensive work being carried out on terrestrial issues, when the resources are not available ! The role of the nature foundation is currently confused between a management agency for the marine park and a nature foundation for the island. ! Zonation and boundaries need to be worked on with the French - sewage transfer is an issue. ! Legislation is incomplete in places and misses important aspects for the future ! Anchoring zone exemption process (specifically relevant to the Heineken regatta) Resources ! Lack of human resources and physical resources ! Insufficient moorings system Finance ! Unsustainable finances – environmental levy mentioned, tags mentioned ! Concerns over how a diving/snorkelling fee might be imposed. ! Support for a environmental levy at the airport and port from Law enforcement authorities Monitoring ! Lack of monitoring and professional research ! Large scale assessment studies of the reefs of St. Maarten are recommended

Future issues ! Politics of making changes – issues over how to manage developments ‘sensitively’ ! Exclusion of the Lagoon in the MPA as a political issue ! Overexploitation from tourism and development ! Natural disasters such as hurricanes ! Lagoon and terrestrial run-off into the park from uncontrollable sources ! Conflicts of interest 78 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan ! Lack of enforcement ! Megayachts – cleaning and painting boats, disposal of waste. ! More cruise ships are expected to visit the port, an extra arm is expected to be built to accommodate up to 8 cruise ships – so the port can accommodate 12 at any one time. Major concerns over manoeuvring and not hitting the reefs. ! Loss of traditional fishing practices

MARINE PARK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

Patrols ! Increased patrolling, especially at night when fishermen approach ! Concerns over where the responsibility for patrolling and enforcement lies - 6 authorities have been identified as being involved (Coastguard, NAFSXM, SLAC, Ports Authority, Customs, Police)

Training ! Training for rangers especially in enforcement procedures and IT ! A programme of staff development and training is required

Resources ! Boats and 2 dinghy’s requested ! Uniforms requested ! Computers ! New GPS required to update old GPS system ! Office space for visiting researchers and scientists/accommodation and work space ! An extra vehicle is required ! Power supply for VHS radio ! Maps, rules and guidelines are required for surveillance

Outreach ! Outreach needed on dive boats, along with books and brochures ! University contacts required to increase research being carried out. ! Booklet for yacht users, addressing dumping of waste, anchoring and plant/animal life. ! Visitor centre requested ! Dive orientation required for operators to appreciate the value of the reef. ! A video of the MPA would be useful to show on local channels

Monitoring ! Monitoring and research required for the reefs and fish stocks. Fish stock population estimates can also be used for bird research. Monitoring also required for spawning aggregations and water quality testing. ! Approach divers to carry out monitoring ! Possibility of involving fishermen in monitoring fish stocks ! Fishermen may take part in fish monitoring, many have observed individuals sizes, egg content etc already. ! Monitoring of coastal constructions requested

Maintenance ! Possibility of involving fishermen in maintenance activities ! Fishermen volunteers to place temporary marker buoys

PARTNERS ! DCNA support is seen as essential ! Exchange programme with other DCNA islands and islands in the region. ! Ocean care will help with a mooring buoy programme and provision of rangers aged 15-17 ! Investigate how other countries establish and operate mooring protocols

79 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan ! EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) has received funding to conduct a year long programme entitled ‘Love the Lagoon’, to address pollution issues relating to the yachting industry.

FURTHER DISCUSSION AND COMMENTS ! Discussion about establishing a blue flag project for the beaches of St. Maarten ! The tourism bureau would like to market diving as a major attraction of St Maarten ! Lack of good mapping resources, including GIS. ! A terrestrial PA is essential for the well being of the marine environment. ! Suggestion to have an Environmental Impact Assessment process written into new development proposals. ! Saba Bank fishery under dispute ! Lack of centralised voice for fisherfolk (possibility for a fisherman’s cooperative) ! Town fishermen have issues with the lack of access fish markets and docks ! Adequate patrols are essential ! User safety and security are overseen by VROM ! Oil spill management procedure ! Communication plan required for new legislation ! Any new legislation will require a grace period, lots of initial resistance is anticipated.

80 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

QUESTIONNAIRE INPUT A total of 581 questionnaires were completed by Hotel Tourists, Cruise Tourists, Local people and School students. Four key questions (Box 5) were asked and answers were provided in a structured format. Copies of the questionnaires can be seen in Appendix 5.

1. What has been the most memorable part of your visit? / What is the most important part of SXM MPA? 2. Which activities have you taken part in? 3. What do you see as the most important challenge facing the Marine Park? 4. Did you see or make use of marine park maps, brochures, presentations, staff or buildings?

Box 5: Key questions asked in the stakeholder questionnaire.

The results were analysed in detail to evaluate the responses of each stakeholder group (Table 9). Actual figures for the responses are in Appendix 5.

OUTCOMES

1. What is the most important part of SXM MPA? / most important part of your visit?

Natural environment, Recreational Activities and Culture all occur in the top 2 of each stakeholder group consulted as values of the marine environment of St Maarten. Residents as well as tourists consider the natural environment to be an important value, whereas school students place a high priority on the culture and recreational activities

2. Which activities do you take part in?

Using the beaches for recreation, picnicking and barbeques are the most popular activities of the stakeholders questioned. Boating, jet-skiing and waterskiing are also popular activities for the hotel and cruise tourists.

3. Which of the following do you see as the most important challenge facing the Marine Park?

Pollution and litter were seen as important issues by the cruise tourists, residents and school students. Residents were also concerned about development and changes in land use. Too many divers and snorkellers was an issue for hotel tourists and school students, and hotel tourists also saw boating as a major issue facing the marine park.

4. Did you see or make use of marine park maps, brochures, presentations, staff or buildings?

Maps were the most popular product of the marine park for the Cruise Tourists, Locals and School students. Of the 60 hotel tourists asked, some 30% had seen or made use of marine park staff or the offices. Guidelines and presentations were used by the residents and school students.

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Hotel Tourists % Cruise Tourists % Local People % Schools % Number of consultees 60 66 186 269 Culture 30 Recreational activities 39 Natural Environment 32 Recreational activities 29 1. What is the most 30 32 32 26 important part of SXM Natural Environment Natural Environment Recreational activities Culture MPA? / most Recreational activities 27 Rare species 21 Rare species 24 Natural Environment 23 important part of your Historical sites 22 Culture 18 Historical sites 22 Historical sites 19 visit? Rare species 22 Historical sites 15 Culture 17 Rare species 19

Beach lounging 77 Beach lounging 61 Picnicking / BBQ's 42 Picnicking / BBQ's 58 2. Which activities do Boating 72 Cruise boating 30 Beach lounging 28 Beach lounging 43 you take part in? 52 29 22 41 (only top 5 responses Jet skiing Tours Hiking Hiking out of 20 displayed). Waterskiing 48 Boating 21 Cycling 20 Diving / snorkeling 34 Animal/plant spotting 47 Diving / snorkeling 15 Jet skiing 19 Cycling 32

Boating (including powercraft) 30 Litter 38 Pollution 33 Too many divers / snorkellers 25 3. Which of the 23 27 22 23 following do you see Too many divers / snorkellers Pollution Development / change of land use Litter as the most important Litter 17 Development / change of land use 27 Litter 21 Pollution 22 challenge facing the Development / change of land use 15 Fishing 20 Boating (including powercraft) 16 Boating (including powercraft) 19 Marine Park? Pollution 12 Poaching 18 Too many divers / snorkellers 15 Fishing 19

Marine Park Offices 35 Maps 23 Maps 46 Maps 55 33 17 22 24 4. Which of the Marine Park Staff Marine Park Staff Guidelines Presentations following do you see Guidelines 30 Guidelines 11 Presentations 15 Guidelines 15 often or make use of? Maps 27 Presentations 8 Marine Park Staff 12 Marine Park Offices 10 Presentations 8 Marine Park Offices 5 Marine Park Offices 6 Marine Park Staff 9

Table 10: Stakeholder questionnaire feedback.

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ST MAARTEN TOURISM MASTER PLAN REPORT INPUT

The following text has been adapted from TourMap (2005).

Findings The fundamental appeal of St. Maarten is nature-based – scenery, topography, the ocean and the natural attractions of the island. As such the destination and the quality of the experience which it delivers are extremely sensitive to the quality of the environment. Tourists assigned a high priority to good environmental practice and identified several issues which the tourism strategy would need to address. These issues included:

! Protection of the natural environment ! Waste management/pollution ! Land use planning ! Visual pollution.

Emerging from the consultations and interviews with tourism operators the principal concerns focused on:

! Unregulated development and encroachment of coastline and hillsides ! Marine and waterway pollution, including the Salt Pond, the Lagoon and bays ! Litter, rubbish collection and dumping, disposal of used vehicles and batteries etc. ! Visual pollution – advertising hoardings, building designs incompatible with surroundings, etc. ! Vehicle emissions and noise pollution.

Only one out of four tourism operators consider the performance of government to be ‘adequate’ or better in regard to protection of the environment.

Almost two thirds of tourism stakeholder respondents considered that the tourist industry on St Maarten is not sufficiently conscious of the relationship between the environment and tourism. This would suggest an opportunity for the tourism sector to project a more pro-active role in this critical area. However, there is some scepticism as to whether the tourism sector is prepared to bear the cost of good environmental management practices within the sector.

Box 6: Tourism Master Plan Key findings

Recommendations Government should: ! publicly engage with the St. Maarten Nature Foundation and other relevant parties ! develop a consensus on the critical environmental issues facing St. Maarten ! take steps to update and, where necessary, strengthen the existing legislation to close any loopholes ! work with the Nature Foundation and relevant government departments to provide the resources needed to ensure compliance in all practices which do or are likely to impact negatively on the quality of the St. Maarten physical environment.

Regular monitoring (to international standards) of pollution levels within the St. Maarten physical environment would, in many cases, makes it possible to identify pollution in the early stages of development and help prompt corrective actions before environmental damage becomes irreversible.

Box 7: Tourism Master Plan Recommendations.

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Summary Tourism, which is the primary source of income on St. Maarten, often fuels or in some cases is the sole catalyst of many of these issues, when improperly managed. Traditional tourism management can cause many negative social and environmental impacts and in so doing threatens the tourism industry’s prospects for continuous prosperity. Over- and improper development destroys mangroves and wetlands, yachts and divers damage coral reefs, and hotels and cruise ships often discharge raw sewage into ponds, lagoons and the sea. It is of vital importance to a tourism destination that nature and environment are healthy and well maintained. Tourists are drawn by the islands biodiversity and unique natural and cultural characteristics. The preservation of these aspects all depend on a clean environment. A polluted environment or lack of natural values, if not properly addressed, could in time lead to the demise of tourism. While improperly managed tourism development often has negative impacts on the environment, tourism can also pay a significant contribution to environmental protection when managed in a sustainable manner. This emphasises the fact that tourism and environmental protection are interrelated and co-dependent.

The implementation and enforcement of proper environmental legislation, planning and assessment procedures are important aspects of environmentally sustainable tourism development. In order to achieve a sustainable balance between environmental protection and tourism development Sint Maarten’s Government Departments (VROM, ROB), Environmental as well as Community based NGOs and community representatives should have a more prominent role in deciding which opportunities for tourism development can be sustained over the long term. Acceptance of the limits to development due to the lack of space, the carrying capacity of the island’s natural resources and the need for sustainable action should be a guiding principle in the management of Sint Maarten’s tourism development.

Box 8: Tourism Master Plan Summary

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2.7 Uses of SXM MPA Table 10 below outlines the nature of the main uses of St Maarten Marine Park.

Use Detail Most fisherfolk are based in Simpson Bay, although there are also a small number based in Town. Traps, hand lines and beach – seine Artisanal fishing fishing are the main methods used. The Dutch fishermen are not permitted to fish on the French side of St. Martin. Simpson bay lagoon has around 10 sport fishing operators and around 5 Sport fishing are based in town. Travel mostly to deeper waters outside the marine park. Full day of half day charters Some commercial fishing occurs offshore at the Saba Bank and the Commercial fishing landing sites are in Great Bay and Simpson Bay 10,000 - 15,000 divers and 50,000 – 100,000 snorkellers visit 22 dive Diving / snorkeling sites within the Marine Park per year. Power Boating Power boats are used mainly for recreation, to travel to nearby islands. Yachting is a significant contributor to the islands economy, along with the associated marine services. The main event of the yachting year Yachting being the Heineken Regatta during March. Several smaller scale regattas also take place including the Classic Regatta in January. Jetskis are rented out by operators on the beach at Great Bay. Jet skiing Residents also own private jet-ski’s which are often used in Great Bay Around 650 cruise ships visit St Maarten every year, making use of the Cruise boats docking facility and anchoring zone in Great Bay. This number is set to increase with the docks planned increase in capacity for 8 to 12 ships. A few small scale ferry companies operate within the marine park on a daily basis, transporting passengers to Saba and St. Barths (from Ferries Pelican, Philipsburg and Oyster Pond) Some charter companies also offer a transport service between islands, taking groups to Anguilla, St. Barths and Prickly Pear. Commercial shipping Includes freight and tankers. Tours Boat trip – one day excursions Parachute sports Pelican Water Sports – parasailing behind a boat in great bay Kayaking Tri-Sport, Simpson Bay lagoon Waterskiing Some water skiing takes place in Great Bay Surfing is increasing in popularity as St Maarten’s surf sports are being Surfing re-discovered. The islands exposure to waves makes Cupecoy, Mullet Bay and Guana Bay ideal locations. Table 11: Uses of St Maarten Marine Park

85 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

2.8 Zoning Six zones are to be established in the St Maarten Marine Park to ensure the sustainable use of the marine resources. These zones include a conservation zone, anchoring zone, a traffic zone, The Great Bay Large ship anchorage zone and a shipping/industry zone. The marine park also has other areas that have been allocated as multiple-use zones. The zones for the marine park form the basis of the Marine Park Ordinance and were originally proposed in: ‘Sint Maarten Marine Park Boundaries and Zones’ (March 1998) by Carmabi and EcoVision N.V. This report is presented in Appendix 6.

ZONING DESCRIPTION

SEAWARD BOUNDARY

The marine park is set to extend to the 20 metre depth contour to the East, and the 30 meter depth contour to the south (depths to encompass reefs). For ease of identification these boundaries were simplified to straight lines between buoys which run more or less parallel to the suggested depth contours. The exact points that have been marked out are presented in the draft MPO. At the time of drafting, it was not considered important for the MPO to encompass the Islands Territorial waters due to uncertainty over the conservation value of deep water and the goals of the marine park being unclear in terms of coastal and pelagic conservation.

SHORESIDE BOUNDARY Since the initial recommendations were made to use the St Maarten Beach Policy as a basis for establishing the shoreside boundary, changes have been made. For legislative reasons, the shoreside boundary has since been defined as the average high water mark. Simpson Bay Lagoon and Oyster Pond were initially omitted from the SXM MPA zoning plan because of the number of stakeholders and complexities involved with establishing effective zones.

Each of the zones is summarised in Table 11 and described further below. Their locations are shown on the map on the following page. Further descriptions of each zone are presented in Appendix 6.

Activity Conservation zone Anchoring zone Traffic zone Shipping/industry zone Multiple use zone Swimming " x x x " Beach Recreation " " x x " Snorkelling, diving. " x x x " Jet-ski/power boats x " x x " Fishing x x " x " Anchoring x " x " x Commercial shipping x x " " x Notes ! In the conservation zone only a small amount of swimming and beach recreation is permitted and small boats and yachts are allowed to within 100m of the shore. ! In the anchoring and shipping/industry zones, where possible mooring buoys should be used. ! In the traffic zone, cruise ships may anchor if they cannot use the pier ! Multiple use zones; jet skis are permitted but not within 100m of the shore and permits are required. Boats with a draft <5m are permitted to pass beyond 100m from the shore.

Table 12: Zonation permissions 86 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

CONSERVATION ZONE (green)

Conservation areas aim at preserving natural values by excluding all potentially damaging activities. Conservation zones have been defined because of their significant natural values such as the presence of unspoiled coral reefs and their function as nursery areas for many marine animal species.

ANCHORING ZONE (Pink)

Anchoring causes damage to seagrass beds and coral formations. Yachts, cruise ships and other vessels have been anchoring in an unregulated fashion for years because there are insufficient suitable alternatives (moorings, marinas). As long as this is the case, it is best to concentrate anchoring zones where the least damage to natural values will be inflicted. Since moorings cause less damage, a sufficient number of moorings will be placed to diminish and eventually eliminate anchoring completely.

TRAFFIC ZONE/SHIPPING LANES (Light Orange)

A traffic zone is defined particularly for the large cruise ships that frequent Great Bay. Some large cruise ships have a draft that exceeds 8 meters. Some important reef formations, such as those outside of Great Bay can be found at relatively shallow depths. The traffic zone serves for safety reasons, preventing cruise ships from navigating close to hazardous reefs and dive sites. Also this zone can serve as a stand-by area for cruise chips awaiting pilot- assistance.

THE GREAT BAY LARGE SHIP ANCHORAGE ZONE

Established for cruise ships to anchor in and possibly tankers if the need arises. The Port Authority need to permit any anchoring activity. The shape of the large ship anchoring zone is based on; the need to avoid a fibre optic cable near fort Amsterdam, prevailing currents and ease of navigation (cruise ships travel across 330 degree bearing to the harbour and which is why the transport zone has been extended to the west from original plans).

SHIPPING / INDUSTRIAL ZONE (Purple)

Industrial activities, including oil transhipment, cargo transport, takes place in the general direction of Cole Bay and the Great Bay Harbour. Because of the specific risk factors it is important to designate a separate zone for industrial use. In addition, shipping lanes to Cole Bay are indicated for freighters and tankers. These vessels have a draught of up to 5 meters. A reason to indicate shipping lanes for industrial purpose is (besides safety aspects) to decrease the risk of coastal pollution, e.g. oil spills. The shipping lanes converge to the coast so that as little as possible of the coastline is exposed to the risk of ship traffic.

MULTIPLE USE ZONES (Blue)

The remaining part of the Park area is meant to be a multipurpose recreational area, open for swimming beach recreation, sailing etc. Ship traffic is not permitted to use this zone. Yachts and small boats are advised to avoid buoys for the safety of divers.

87 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

ZONE LOCATION

The following coordinates for the Marine Park Zones are stated in the draft Marine Park Ordinance. The letters correspond to mooring buoy locations as illustrated on the zoning map on the following page (Figure 17). A full copy of the zoning map in Dutch can be seen in Appendix 7.

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Activity Conservation zone Anchoring zone Traffic zone Shipping/industry zone Multiple use zone Swimming ! x x x ! Beach Recreation ! ! x x ! Snorkelling, diving. ! x x x ! Jet-ski/power boats x ! x x ! Fishing x x ! x ! Figure 17: Zonation of St Maarten Marine Park. Anchoring x ! x ! x Commercial shipping x x ! ! x

2.9 Governance Sint Maarten Nature Foundation is a Non-governmental Organisation established in 1997 to primary concern is to protect nature, while in the process strengthening its economical and educational value, and potential of its natural resources. NAFSXM has 7 board members who meet once a month, and a number of institutional arrangements for the staff.

BOARD Years on Position Name Background Board General manager, Windward Islands Bank. Involved in many Chairman Jan Beaujon 8 aspects of the community. Has been chairman since 2000. Frank Retired biology and English teacher. Provides assistance and Secretary 5 Boekhout local scientific expertise in the field of nature conservation. Plays as active role in fundraising and community service Treasurer Malou Carty 4 oriented activities. Robbie Local fisherman, activist and computer/IT technician. Member 6 Cijntje President of the Big Game Fishing Foundation. Gloria Member <1 Financial accountant Heyliger Robby Shipping agent and cargo vessel owner specialising in inter- Member <1 Lawrence Caribbean trade. Experienced fisherman and sailor. Andy Member <1 Environmental consultant and former marine park manager. Caballero Table 13: Board members

The management body meets with the manager/director on a monthly basis minutes are circulated amongst board members, the marine park manager and the office manager. Weekly meetings between the manager and staff are minuted and the minutes are circulated to all staff.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS The following provisions have been made to help organise and structure NAFSXM and the Marine Park

Board book / operational manual ! Daily board x Staff work book x See handbook Appendix 8 Job descriptions for staff ! Uniforms for staff ! ID badges x Staff Evaluations x Table 14 : Institutional arrangements

St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) Economic Recovery Funds (ERC) St Maarten Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) Committees NAFSXM is Environmental conference involved in Enviro-1 Heineken Regatta Steering Committee St. Maarten Classic Yacht Regatta Recent Reports Mid-year report 2006 Audit Pre-audit carried out in August 2006 – full audit for March 2007 Table 15: Other internal arrangements.

St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

Legal Framework As of 2006, the St Maarten Marine Park has no legal status. The draft Marine Environment Ordinance is presented below and is in the process of being signed by the island government.

ST. MAARTEN MARINE PARK ORDINANCE

Please note that this is a draft ordinance, the final version of the Ordinance may differ. Please also note that the English translation has not been legally approved. The explanatory accompanying MvT document can be found in Appendix 9.

ARTICLE 1 In this Ordinance, the terms below are defined as follows: (a) nature park: the nature park meant in Article 2, first paragraph; (b) manager: the entity or person mentioned in Article 7, first paragraph of Island Ordinance Nature Conservation and Protection Sint Maarten that is designated as the manager of the nature park; (c) beach: the undeveloped and mainly barren coastline between the main low water mark and the more or less uninterrupted vegetation, the seawall, or buildings on the other side.

ARTICLE 2 1. There is a nature park entitled: St. Maarten Marine Park. 2. The nature park is demarcated by an imaginary line which runs from the geographical point on the East coast with the coordinates 18’03'.11 NB and 63’00'.51 WL to the geographical point on the West coast with the coordinates 18’03'.08 NB and 63’08'.24 WL, by means of the geographical points 18’02'.36 NB/62’59'.22 WL, 18’00'30 NB/62’59'.44 WL, 17’58'.33 NB/63’02'.24 WL, 17’58'.33 NB/63’04'.20 WL and 18’02'.10 NB/63’09'.15 WL, and along the average high waterline to the geographical point, with the understanding that the beaches along the entire East coast from Pointe Blanche up to and including Oyster Pond fall within the marine park. 3. The boundaries of the nature park are indicated on the chart with descriptions that are attached as an Appendix to this Ordinance. 4. The essential characteristics of the nature park are: (a) the coral reefs; (b) the sea grass beds; (c) the mangrove communities; (d) the beaches of Gibbs Bay, Guana Bay, Red Pond Bay and Dawn Beach; (e) the islands Molly Beday, Hen and Chicken, Cow and Calf and Pelican Rock. 5. Within the nature park there are specific zones as are indicated on the map mentioned in paragraph three where certain activities are not allowed: (a) zones with high protection value; (b) anchor zones; (c) shipping areas; (d) and an industrial zone.

ARTICLE 3 1. The following activities are considered as damaging activities in the nature park as defined in Article 15, second paragraph, sub-paragraph (b) of the Island Ordinance Nature Conservation and Protection Sint Maarten: (a) feeding of animals, with the exception of household pets brought on the beach, (b) sinking of vessels or other objects, without the manager’s prior written permission, (c) fishing with: i. trawlnets; ii. fish traps with a mesh size of less than 38 mm; 91 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan iii. fish traps that are not equipped with an escape opening which has been covered by a panel of biologically degradable material, that after use in marine water falls apart so that after a period of around 20 days an opening appears on the sides of the trap of at least 15 cm by 15 cm; iv. explosive substances; v. bait, existing of flesh of marine mammals; vi. gillnets; vii. mechanical underwater hunting devices within 300 metres off the coast; viii. hand spears within 300 metres off the coast; (d) diving and snorkeling with hand gloves; (e) using or discharging biological and chemical products; (f) placing anchor buoys without the manager’s prior permission; (g) discharging or dumping effluents from land or from a vessel; (h) anchoring or the use of anchors as a means of navigation with the exception of anchoring as instructed by the harbour master in Great Bay.. 2. In an area with a high protection value of the nature park the following activities are defined as damaging activities as meant in Article 15, second paragraph, of the Island Ordinance Nature Conservation and Protection Sint Maarten: (a) the use of water scooters; (b) fishing, other than with trawling - or hand lines; (c) fishing from a vessel with more than four trawling - or hand lines; (d) sailing with a vessel with an average draught of more than six meters; (e) removing live or dead animals or plants; (f) possessing live or dead fish or other sea animals or plants that are found not to originate from elsewhere. 3. By General Island Resolution, in contravention to the first paragraph, sub-paragraph (e), it is possible to allow the use of certain biological or chemical resources for the relevant indicated purposes .

ARTICLE 4 Contrary to Article 3, first paragraph, sub-paragraph (h) it is permitted for ships to anchor in an anchor zone or the industrial zone of the nature park.

ARTICLE 5 1. Ships making use of a motor or with a draught of more than 1 metre, sailing outside the routes to and from ports must keep a distance of at least 100m with respect to the coast. 2. Ships that arrive from abroad with destination Great Bay or depart from Great Bay to elsewhere, have to make use of the shipping areas as much as possible.

ARTICLE 6 1. The manager of the nature park is authorized to place maritime signs and direction boards for demarcation of the nature park and the areas within the park with high protection value, anchor zones and shipping zones. 2. The manager is furthermore authorized to place anchor buoys for vessels which are used for the transport and the support of snorklers and scuba divers. 3. By General Island Resolution it is possible to establish further regulations with respect to the use of anchor buoys.

ARTICLE 7 It is prohibited to move or remove anchor buoys without the manager’s prior written permission.

ARTICLE 8 1. The manager is authorized to - verbally or in writing - forbid entrance to a person entering the nature park and ask them to leave the area immediately if the presence of that person can in all reasonableness lead to prohibited activities as described in Article 15, first paragraph Island Ordinance Nature Conservation and Protection Sint Maarten. 2. The person to whom the prohibition as described in the first paragraph is directed is obliged to obey.

92 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan ARTICLE 9 1. Everyone that scuba dives, snorkels or makes use of the anchor buoys placed by the manager in the nature park is charged a user fee. 2. The user fee is determined by a General Island Resolution. 3. The manager is entitled to the collected fees. 4. The proceeds of the collected user fees will be spent on the management and the protection of the nature park.

ARTICLE 10 1. The responsibility of payment of the user fees defined in Article 9, first paragraph, furthermore rests on the captain of the vessel with which the persons concerned, meant in Article 9, first paragraph, are transported within the nature park, as well as on the organizer of the transport vessel. 2. The persons as mentioned in the first paragraph are liable for the payment of the user fee due by the persons as mentioned in Article 9, paragraph one in the understanding that payment by the one releases the other.

ARTICLE 11 The user fee is levied by means of a dated written notification.

ARTICLE 12 1. The manager is authorized to issue the notification defined in Article 11. 2. The notification is issued to every person described in Article 9, first paragraph. 3. The notification can be issued furthermore to every person who has indicated to the manager or the manager’s representative that they will dive, snorkel or make use of the anchor buoys within the nature park. 4. The manager is authorized to give form and content to the notification.

ARTICLE 13 The manager can authorize an organizer of transport as defined in Article 10, first paragraph, to issue the notification or have it issued on his behalf, taking into account the regulations the manager has set forth.

ARTICLE 14 1. Payment of the user’s fee occurs, by choice of the manager, simultaneously or immediately after the issuing of the notification, meant in Article 11. 2. The collection of the user’s fee takes place by the manager or by a designated authority chosen by the manager. 3. The designated authority carries the burden of providing the collected fees to the manager in accordance with the manager’s instructions.

ARTICLE 15 1. Anyone who lodges an objection against a notification as meant in Article 11 can submit a request for review to the manager within six weeks after the date of the notification . The manager decides by means of a motivated decision with regards to the objection as soon as possible but no later than two months after receipt. He notifies the objector of the decision through registered mail or in exchange for a stamped receipt.

ARTICLE 16 The party concerned can lodge an appeal with the Appeal Council Tax Affairs against a decision as is meant in Article 15, second paragraph, within six weeks after the day that notice of the decision is given.

ARTICLE 17 Artikel 15, second paragraph of the Island Ordinance Nature Conservation and Protection Sint Maarten will read: “Activities that are defined as damaging in the first paragraph are considered as: (a) activities which possibly damage the general characteristics of the nature park, (b) activities as mentioned in the Island Ordinance in Article 8, first paragraph.”

93 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan ARTICLE 18 This Ordinance goes in effect as of the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the Ordinance is proclaimed, with the exception of articles 9 to 16, which go into effect as of the first day of the tenth calendar month following signing of the ordinance or on an earlier date as determined in an island decree.

ARTICLE 19 This Ordinance can be cited as “Ordinance Sint Maarten Marine Park”.

OTHER RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE AND POLICY TOOLS A range of relevant legislation and policy tools exist on St Maarten. From international treaties and conventions through National legislation to Island legislation. It should be noted that the St. Maarten Beach and Hillside Policies are not official legislation, yet policy is important as it gives guidance from the Island Governments. If made public it also has legal consequences because it gives direction to everyone in the community.

The DCNA has produced a booklet to bring all the existing legislation concerning the use and conservation of the marine environment for the windward Netherlands Antilles islands. The booklet is designed to be used by wardens, rangers and managers to help with the enforcement of legislation relating to the marine environmental. This will be made available through www.dcnanature.org.

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS

CITES Convention Of International Trade In Endangered Species The Convention For The Protection And Development Of The Marine Environment Of Cartagena The Wider Caribbean Region IAC Inter American Convention For The Protection And Conservation Of Sea Turtles CBD Convention On Biological Diversity CMS/Bonn Convention On The Conservation Of Migratory Species Of Wild Animals Ramsar Ramsar Convention On Wetlands MarPol International Convention For The Prevention Of Pollution From Ships Table 16: International treaties and conventions relevant to St Maarten Marine Park.

NATIONAL LEGISLATION

A1 - National Fisheries Ordinance - Ao1991, No. 74 A2 - National Fisheries Resolution - Ao1992-108 A3 - National Prevention of Pollution from Ships Ordinance - Ao1993, No. 108 A4 - National Civil Liability Oil Tankers Ordinance - Ao1998, no. 169 A5 - National Oil Pollution Compensation Ordinance -Ao1998-170 A6 - National Nature Conservation Ordinance - Ao2001, No. 41

ISLAND LEGISLATION AND POLICIES

D1 - St. Maarten Lobster Ordinance - Ao1963, No. 07 D2 - St. Maarten Lobster Resolution - Ao1963, No. 11 D3 - St. Maarten Waste Ordinance - AB1993, No. 03 D4 - St. Maarten Development Planning Ordinance- AB1993, No. 13 D5 - St. Maarten National Nature Conservation Ordinance - AB2003, No. 35 D6 - St. Maarten Beach Policy Summary D6A - St. Maarten Great Bay Pilot Beach Policy D7 - St. Maarten Hillside Policy D7A - St. Maarten Hillside Policy Extended 94 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan (D8 - St. Maarten Marine Park Ordinance DRAFT) D9 - St. Maarten Waste Water Ordinance - AB2002, No. 05 D10 - St. Maarten Monuments Ordinance - AB2000, No. 01 D11 - St. Maarten Development Planning Amendment - AB2000, No. 03 D12 - St. Maarten Development Planning Amendment - AB2004, No. 01 D13 - St. Maarten Monuments Registration Resolution - AB2004, No. 14 D14 - St. Maarten Monuments Ordinance Explanation D15 - St. Maarten Monuments Resolution Addendum

For full copies of the National and Island legislation and policies see Appendix 9.

PERMITS Permitting is currently under discussion as part of the ongoing development of the Marine Park Ordinance. During management planning the following process and permits were in place.

The current permitting process by-passes Nature Foundation St. Maarten as a statutory advisory body. The permitting process is generally as follows:

1. Stakeholder writes letter to Executive Council (if they are concerned by following rules) 2. Executive Council send request to VROM 3. VROM write advice and send back to Executive Council 4. Executive Council approve (or not)

Permit Detail All mooring activity should be approved by the St Maarten Ports Moorings authority. For collection –requests have to be made to NAFSXM. The application is then forwarded to the executive council receive and the SXM advise. NAFSXM have an outline agreement with any researchers that they give Research/Collection any data and a report or other products to NAFSXM. Other issues; Protected organisms need permission from central government. Hygiene department and others need to be consulted for any export. Watersports operators, Business licence from economic affairs dept. Dive stores also need an Tour operators. operations permit. The Draft Marine Park Ordinance stipulates that fishing is allowed in the Marine Park (minimum 200 m from the coast) EXCEPT in the two conservation zones. Exemptions are required to fish in conservation Fishing zones. Currently, fishing 2 miles or more off the St. Maarten coast requires a permit from the Dept. of Economic Policy and Research as these waters belong to the Central or Federal Government not to the Island Territory of St. Maarten. Building, Land clearance Buildings go through VROM, some advisory roles as a public consultation. Table 17: Permitting procedures

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RULES AND GUIDELINES The Marine park rules as published in leaflets and on the website are as follows:

DIVING " Respect the Marine Environment " Do not chase, harass or try to ride marine life " Do not remove anything living or dead from the water (except recent litter) " Don’t throw anything overboard " Fish feeding is not allowed. Please do not introduce food into the marine environment that does not belong there. " Maintain good buoyancy control; do not stand or kneel on the bottom unless there is sand " Secure all gauges so that they cannot get caught on or drag along the bottom " Do not wear gloves unless you are going down a mooring line or wreck diving " Always pass seaward of park mooring buoys, and always steer clear of dive vessels " Always place a diver down flag when diving. Never leave your vessel unattended

TURTLES " Turtles are completely protected in the Netherlands Antilles by the CITES Convention (Endangered Species Act), and fines can be given if caught or harassed. The Coast Guard of Sint Maarten and the Marine Park keeps a close watch over turtles surrounding the coastal waters of Sint Maarten. Further information on the status of Turtles and CITES is available from the marine Park. (Image 9)

Image 9 : Brochures and leaflets used by Nature Foundation St Maarten. Further outreach materials are presented in Appendix 10.

MOORINGS " Respect the marine environment " Do not damage the marine environment " Do not throw anything overboard. Trash containers are available ashore and arrangements can be made for collection

96 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan " Watch out for SCUBA divers: You need to watch out for divers (bubbles on the surface) and snorkellers (tubes and splashing) wherever you go. Steer clear. As an additional safeguard always pass seaward of dive moorings and boats at anchor. " Dive moorings may only be used by vessels less than 12m (38’) overall length. " The holding capacity of the Manta Ray mooring system ranges between 18,000lbs-40,000lbs. (Note: On average, a 65 foot sailboat requires approximately 30,000psi of holding capacity. " Only one boat is permitted per mooring at one time (first come, first served). " A scope line at least as long as your vessel must be put out between your vessel and the mooring line. " Up to 3 inflatables may share one mooring as long as they are less than 4m (12’) in length. " Vessels may only tie on by the bow to the moorings. " You are encouraged to check all mooring lines before use. " Please never leave your vessel unattended. " You are requested to confine use of the MP moorings between 8:00am and 5:00pm, except when a night dive is scheduled. " If you intend to use the dive moorings, please note the following: o The Marine Park will, in the future, place a system of moorings within the proposed anchorage zone which will be used for visiting pleasure crafts and others. Information and rates will be made available as soon as they are ready for use. o Remember: Mooring buoys need to be maintained at all times. If you ever see a damaged mooring, call the Marine Park so we can do the necessary repairs. o The mooring buoys that will be used for the dive operators are 18” hard plastic floats, UV coated, and have a blue stripe. The name NAF from Nature Foundation Sint Maarten will be placed on the buoy, along with the dive site number. o Moorings will run through an intensive maintenance plan every 3 months. Replacements of shackles, lines, pick-up lines, and cleaning of the buoy will be done on a more regular basis, every 2 weeks if chafing occurs. Dive operators are asked to call the MP if one of the buoys is not working properly for immediate repair. o Vessels use moorings at their own risk. The Marine Park cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage. All moorings will be checked and maintained carefully by the marine park staff. However the SXMMP does not accept liability for any loss, damage or injury resulting from a defective mooring.

VHF COMMUNICATION " The Port Authorities channel is VHF 12 or 16. The Marine Park has a VHF radio (channel 16) which you can contact us by. The Coast Guard, Port Authorities and the Marine Park can be reached on channel 16 in case of emergency. The Coast Guard can also be reached at Tel: 37603.

BOATING SAFETY " Do not pass within 50m (165’) of a boat on a mooring. Please establish radio communication if you need to approach a boat with divers down. " All vessels should always show a light when they are underway at night (As proposed by the SXM Port Authorities) " The maximum allowable speed within 75m (250’) offshore, around the piers, bridge, and anchored boats, is 5 knots. " Always pass seaward of white and blue buoys. " Always place ‘diver down’ flag when diving. This announces to other dive vessels that there are divers in the area. " Never throw an anchor overboard when you suspect that divers are down. " Never leave your vessel unattended.

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2.10 Physical Resources

Resource Details Offices 8 year old, NASXM soon to move to new premises Buildings Storage 5 year old 20ft container used for storage 4*4 truck 1*Nissan 2WD, 10 years old, 88,000 miles Transport Boat 26 ft 6 year old hard hull boat with 2 90hp OB engines Fax machine 1 Canon fax, copier, scanner Land Line 3 telephone units Communication Radios VHF radio 1 Manta 10 public Manta moorings Moorings Halas 15 public Halas moorings Hide 2 Land Litter bins Sign boards Desk top 3 old computers Camera 1 digital camera with underwater housing Pentax Optio W20 7.0 Megapixels. Video Camera 1 Electronic Projector 1 Internet Wireless broad band Television Sony 22” VCR Toshiba Stereo 1* Sony cassette recorded/CD Player BC 10 Regulators 6 Tank 12 Weights (sets) 100lbs (2 belts) Dive Wetsuits 12 (+ 4 pairs booties and 1 pair gloves) UW scooter 1 Mask 9 Fins 12 Snorkel 15 Fridge 1 Field glasses 1 CTD probe pH meter Water quality test kit 1 Scientific GPS 1 hand held Drill Mooring Shared with Saba and St Eustatius equipment First aid kit 1 Oxygen kit Depth Sounder, 7 bales of rope, 5 manta ray anchors, 15 stainless steel pins, 10 stainless steel shackles, 3 galvanized shackles, 3 underwater lift bags (1500kg, 1000kg, 500kg), 40 can floats, 100ft chafing hose, 1 cotton boom for containing oil Other spills (donated by island Water World), 2 epoxy dispense gun, Reef Ball moulds and equipment. Other miscellaneous storage items, 1 tent (10ft x 20ft), 7 x plastic chairs, 5 x mongoose traps, 4 diving knife, 4 flashlight, 2 net bag, 1 propulsion vehicle. Table 18: Physical resources available to St Maarten Marine Park

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MOORING PROGRAMME DETAILS

Site # Dive Site Avg Depth Type of Mooring Working Status Depth 1 Molly B’day 40-60ft Sand Anchor 57ft In Operation 2 Cow and Calf 45-55ft Sand Anchor 53ft In Operation 3 Pelican Rock 30-50ft Sand Anchor 44ft In Operation 4 Hen & Chicks 20-70ft Sand Anchor 60ft In Operation 5 Fish Bowl 40-55ft Pin Anchor 51ft In Operation 6 Fish Bowl 2 40-55ft Pin Anchor 51ft In Operation 7 Mike’s Maze 1 45-60ft Pin Anchor 41ft In Operation 8 Mike’s Maze 2 45-60ft Pin Anchor 43ft In Operation 9 Proselyte Reef 1 45-60ft Wreck Attachment 42ft In Operation 10 Proselyte Reef 2 45-60ft Pin Anchor 47ft In Operation 11 Split Rock/Cable Reef 45-60ft Pin Anchor 47ft In Operation 12 Tiegland 45-65ft Pin Anchor 69ft In Operation 13 Lucy’s Barge 45-65ft Pin Anchor 50ft In Operation 14 French’s Reef 1 15-20ft Pin Anchor 23ft In Operation 15 French’s Reef 2 15-20ft Pin Anchor 22ft In Operation 16 The Bridge 40-50ft Wreck Attachment 47ft In Operation 17 Isabella Reef 60-80ft Pin Anchor 75ft In Operation 18 The Gregory 1 50-60ft Wreck Attachment 39ft In Operation 19 The Gregory 2 50-60ft Wreck Attachment 47ft In Operation 20 Fuh Sheng 100-110ft Wreck Attachment 100ft In Operation 21 One Step & Beyond 45-50ft Pin Anchor 63ft In Operation 22 Carib Cargo 50-70ft Wreck Attachment 45ft Marker Buoy

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2.11 Human Resources

Licence

ive Qualifications Years of Service Academic Qualifications Special Police Powers First Aid Captains VHF Radio D Vehicle Maintenance

Marine Park Manager 0.5 MSC ! Advanced Beverly Mae Nisbeth

Assistant Marine Park 5 CXC Manager 8 ! ! ! Advanced ! qualifications Paul Elinger

Office Manager Open 5 BA ! Eseld Imms water

Outreach/ Education Open Coordinator 2 MSc water Dominique Vissenburg

Table 19: Marine Park Staff

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2.12 Issues

St Maarten Marine Park has faced a range of historical issues, some of which continue to pressure management and the natural resources. The marine park is currently challenged with constraints on management and external issues that can be human-induced or natural, and may originate from within the protected area or from beyond its boundaries. Management and external issues are often manifested in the form of social or economic demands upon the protected area.

As part of effective planning, expected future issues are accounted for at the end of this section.

GLOBAL ISSUES AND NATURAL DISASTERS

GLOBAL WARMING Globally, coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangroves are being degraded by global warming, pollution and coastal development. Reefs are particularly sensitive to climate change because they bleach easily if there are changes to sea surface temperatures (SSTs).

Corals get their colour from tiny single-cell plants - zooxanthellae - which provide for the reef- building creatures, the polyps. If there is an increase in SST for a prolonged period, the zooxanthellae are driven away, the coral loses its colour, the polyps lose their food and the reef is weakened. The reefs then become more vulnerable to other threats, such as: overfishing; pollution; creatures that eat them; sedimentation from storm surges and snorkellers; and coastal developments.

To mitigate the damage to coral weakened by warming water,s the recent IUCN reports have called for the adoption of a range of measures, such as:

" improved reef monitoring " use of marine protection areas " transplanting healthy coral to degraded reefs " use of coastal and fishing management schemes

Mangroves provide shelter for spawning fish, they also provide a source of income and food for millions of people, delivering about $30bn (£16bn) worth of benefits in goods and services globally. Although mangroves are well suited for harsh conditions, rising sea levels and deforestation threatens to undermine some of the plants' long-term survival. The IUCN and TNC, highlight 10 strategies that could help protect the forests, including:

" identify and protect areas naturally positioned to survive climate change " manage human demands on the forests " establish green belts and buffer zones to allow mangrove migration " restore degraded areas that have displayed resilience to climate shifts

NATURAL DISASTERS St Maarten faces threats from annual hurricane damage. Hurricanes damage coral reefs and add to runoff into the ocean through increased rainfall. In a healthy marine environment, coral reefs and mangroves are known to protect the coastline from hurricane swell by reducing wave energy. Healthy reefs and mangroves are also capable of regenerating after a hurricane event. The regeneration of coral reefs and mangroves is prevented when water is polluted by terrestrial sediments, chemicals, and sewage from direct input and runoff. This continues to be a significant threat to St Maarten’s marine environment.

Other natural events that may have an impact on St. Maarten’s marine environment include volcanoes. Such events are very difficult to manage for, since they tend to be on a catastrophic scale. However, the ability for the environment to recover is still directly related to the amount of other impacts effecting the marine environment.

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HISTORICAL ISSUES A number of historical issues and threats that have faced the Marine Park were identified during the stakeholder meetings. These have included:

" Lack of funding " Lack of management / regulations / legislation " Lack of enforcement / limited enforcement officers " Overfishing in the 70’s/80’s particularly by Haitians and Dominicans. " Lack of integration with French side " Over development for tourism and related pressures including pollution. " Hurricanes, including Luis and Lenny

CURRENT MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Lack of sustainable finance A lack of financial resources has and continues to be a severe threat to the existence of the marine park. Limited finance reduce the access of the NAFSXM to human and physical resources which greatly reduces the capacity of those involved to manage the marine resources.

Lack of management / legislation / enforcement Stakeholders have identified that a poorly defined management structure, goals and objectives of the marine park have lead to resources being spread too thinly. Coupled with a lack of legislation and enforcement capabilities, the marine park continually struggles to effectively manage St. Maarten’s Marine resources.

Lack of integrated coastal zone management With no terrestrial protected area on St Maarten and terrestrial conservation being sidelined by continuing development, the aims of the marine park are not integrated within and island wide conservation strategy. This is essential since the terrestrial and marine environments of St Maarten are intrinsically linked through natural flows and processes. St Maarten also faces a unique integration issue, since a large part of the marine environment is directly effected by actions on the French side of the island.

During the stakeholder input sessions held for the management plan, a range of management issues were identified. These include:

Governance " Population accepting laws " Government support " Lack of buy-in from Yachters and marinas for marine park legislation, concern over the future of the yachting industry on St. Maarten. " Responsibility for legislation and related actions such as mooring placement for the traffic zone. " Extensive work being carried out on terrestrial issues, when the resources are not available " The role of the nature foundation is currently confused between a management agency for the marine park and a nature foundation for the island. " Zonation and boundaries need to be worked on with the French - sewage transfer is an issue. " Legislation is incomplete in places and misses important aspects for the future " Anchoring zone exemption process (specifically relevant to the Heineken regatta)

Resources " Lack of human resources and physical resources " Insufficient moorings system

102 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Finance " Unsustainable finances – environmental levy mentioned, tags mentioned " Concerns over how a diving/snorkelling fee might be imposed. " Support for a environmental levy at the airport and port from Law enforcement authorities

Monitoring " Lack of monitoring and professional research " Large scale assessment studies of the reefs of St. Maarten are recommended

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CURRENT ‘EXTERNAL’ ISSUES

St Maarten Marine Park has been through a threat identification process for the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance Management Success Project (2006, for full details see Appendix 11). Issues were also a key topic during stakeholder consultation for the management plan. From these processes, two sets of issue analyses can be carried out before summarising the key current issues and threats facing the marine park.

EXTERNAL ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY THE DCNA MANAGEMENT SUCCESS PROJECT The DCNA Management Success Project used the WWF method of ranking issues and threats. The manager of the marine park was presented a list of issues facing the marine park and asked to give them a number relating to the extent, impact and permanence of the threat presented by that particular issue. Numbers were allocated from 1-4, 1 being low extent, impact or permanence and 4 representing a high extent, impact or permanence. These figures were analysed and resulted in a number for the degree of threat to St Maarten Marine Park that each issue represented, as presented in Figure 18. Further details of the methodology can be found in Appendix 11.

Figure 18: Results of the Management Success Project threat Analysis

Grading method Issue / Threat Grade Development / conversion of land use 1 Score Threat Grade 64 Diving / snorkeling 1 48 Severe 1 Pollution 2 36 Boating 2 32 High 2 27 Yachting 2 24 Jet skiing 3 18 Moderate 3 Anchor damage 3 16 12 Fishing 3 9 Low 4 Sport fishing 3 8 6 Invasive species 4 4 Nutrient enrichment 4 3 No Threat 5 Cruise boats 4 2 1 Ferries 4

Commercial shipping 4

104 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Table 20: Threat classification grading (see text for scoring explanation)

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EXTERNAL ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION For simplicity, the main issues raised during the stakeholder consultations have been analysed by counting the number of stakeholder groups that raised each issue and considered it important (Figure 19 / Table 20). To fit with the scoring method from the management success project the issues have then been ranked, with 1 being the most frequently raised issue. Issues not included in the table were not brought up in the stakeholder meetings. Full analyses can be seen in Appendix 11.

Figure 19: Stakeholder groups expressing concern over issues and threats (Total of 15 Groups consulted).

Grading method Issue / Threat Grade Pollution 1 Score Threat Grade Development/conversion of land use 2 >10 Severe 1 Boating 3 9 Jet Skiing 3 8 High 2 Fishing 3 7 Diving and snorkelling 3 6 Anchor damage 3 5 Moderate 3 Cruise boats 3 Yachting 4 4 Sport fishing 4 3 Low 4 Invasive species 4 2 Nutrient enrichment 4 1 No Threat 5 Ferries 4 Score = number of groups concerned. Commercial shipping 4 Table 21: Issue/Threat identification from stakeholder consultation.

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ANALYSIS Table 21 summarises the most significant external issues facing St Maarten Marine Park as identified by stakeholder consultation and the management success project. The most significant issues are placed at the top of the list. Pollution and development/conversion of land use both had high and severe grading in both issue consultations.

Management Stakeholder Input Issue Total Success Grading Grading Development / conversion of land use 1 2 3 Pollution 2 1 3 Diving / snorkeling 1 3 4 Boating 2 3 5 Yachting 2 4 6 Jet skiing 3 3 6 Anchor damage 3 3 6 Fishing 3 3 6 Sport fishing 3 4 7 Cruise boats 4 3 7 Invasive species 4 4 8 Nutrient enrichment 4 4 8 Ferries 4 4 8 Commercial shipping 4 4 8

Table 22: A hierarchical list of the issues identified by the threat analysis identified.

DETAILS OF THE CURRENT ‘EXTERNAL’ ISSUES IDENTIFIED AS SIGNIFICANT

Development/conversion of land use Building developments for tourism are often carried out near to the waters edge. This presents particular problems for pollutants entering the marine park through bad practice. When it is windy or it rains, cement, sediments, bags and other site rubbish can be blown or washed into the sea if preventative steps are not taken. These can then cause considerable damage to coral reef organisms, seagrasses and mangroves. Other changes in land use such as agricultural development, new car parks, beach creation installation of platforms and piers can increase the amount of pollutants entering the sea through increased run-off and other changes in hydrology. Habitats can also be removed or affected by a change in land use or land use patterns e.g. turtle nesting beaches and coral reef. The main issues arising from stakeholder consultation input were:

" General severe concern over all new buildings on the island. " The continuing development of hotels including the planned 3500 new rooms by 2010 (TourMap 2005, St Maarten Tourism Masterplan) a severe threat to the natural values and use of St Maarten’s marine resources. " Concerns over the development of a new arm to the pier to support up to 8 cruise boats at once.

Pollution Sewage is a source of major damage St Maarten’s marine environment. Sewage makes its way into St Maarten’s marine environment through inadequate waste water treatment and use. Sewage is a cocktail of substances, a number of which are dangerous marine ecosystems and can cause human illness. Terrestrial run-off from St Maarten into the marine environment is a source of nutrients, sediments and other pollutants such as hydrocarbons (oil based chemicals), pesticides and herbicides, heavy (poisonous) metals. Ballast waters that are ejected from ships can contain and a range of pollutants and exotic species which can become invasive, displacing native organisms. Jet 107 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan fuel expelled from aircraft using the runway at Princess Julianna airport may also be having an impact on the marine environment. The main issues with pollution mentioned in the stakeholder meetings include:

" Considerable amounts of sewage and waste in Simpson Bay Lagoon. " The water in Oyster Pond is Dutch owned but half of the surrounding land is French owned. The Oil storage facility located in the centre of the pond is used mainly by the French and leaks hydrocarbons into the water. " Oil spills – concern over the protocol and ‘ownership’ of spills. SOL are the only company on the island with the equipment to contain spills and loose productivity of their own operation cleaning up other spills. " Illegal fuelling – tax avoidance by fuelling from water based barges, fuel is also delivered to yachts. Illicit re-fuelling often results in leaks and spills. " Litter from religious practices where items are given to the sea as offerings is an eyesore.

Diving and snorkelling Recreational SCUBA diving and snorkelling are often considered a non-extractive use of coral reefs causing relatively little environmental damage. Recently, it has become clear that this is not the case. With the continued growth in the popularity of the sports in St Maarten, divers and snorkellers can have a considerable effect on the reef. This comes from the direct contact of people and their equipment with reef organisms and also from the more serious indirect impacts resulting from diver associated anchor damage, sewage discharges, sedimentation and other forms of pollution from the tourist developments. Issues raised in the stakeholder meetings include: fish feeding and anchor damage. The main issue raised in the stakeholder consultation in relation to fish feeding was that shark dives are attracting sharks closer to shore especially in high season. A 5ft Black Tip reef shark has been seen in Great Bay, from the dock prompting safety fears. Sharks attracted by fish feeding practices are taking fish catches.

Boating / anchor damage The main issue identified as a result of boating is anchoring. Poor anchoring practices damage the marine environment mainly through heavy anchors hitting and being dragged though marine communities such as coral reefs and seagrasses (Image group 20). Anchor chains also clear habitats around anchor points as the boat moves around on the surface, dragging the chain in circles. A shortage of available moorings is blamed for poor anchoring practices on behalf of boat users.

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Image Group 20: Anchor and anchor chain damage (Source: NAFSXM)

Yachting Yachting is an issue for the marine park since it contributes considerably to the St Maarten economy, and some stakeholders consider the industry to be sensitive to any changes in legislation relating to mooring practices and fees. Issues raised in the stakeholder meetings include:

" Lack of moorings resulting in unsustainable anchoring practices, " Increased need on moorings during Regatta " Anchoring during regatta, for extra boats, start line and marker buoys " Poor management of yachts in Simpson Bay lagoon.

Jet Skiing Jet Skis are considered to be noisy, polluting and a danger to other water users and marine life.

109 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Fishing Artisanal and small scale commercial fisheries operate alongside sport fishing on St. Maarten. Due to overfishing through the 1970’s and 1980’s, the fish stocks of St Maarten’s near shore waters have all but collapsed. To catch fish, only the fisherfolk with larger boats can travel to the Saba Bank. The main issues arising from the stakeholder consultations were:

" There are some issues with local fishermen taking undersized fish. " Conflict between fisherfolk and divers, fish taps being tampered with and moorings being cut. " Hidden community of immigrants and users from neighbouring islands " Poaching of sea-turtles needs investigating " Some illegal gill net fishing still takes place

Sport fishing Spearfishing takes place around St Maarten which targets certain species, and offers an unfair advantage from use of Scuba equipment. This results in the decline of specific fish stocks and is an unsustainable practice. Spearfishing also takes place around tourists whilst they are swimming, snorkelling and diving, this has raised safety issues.

Cruise boats Around 650 cruise boats visit St Maarten per year, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors. The boats can be a source of pollution, where sewage and ballast are emptied into the marine environment. Visiting boats have also been known to have oil leaks and be the occasional litter. With so many large boats manoeuvring inshore the likelihood of an accident involving St Maarten’s valuable coral reefs is increasingly likely. The impact of cruise ships is relatively low when the intensity of their usage is taken into account, with the exception of issues possibly caused by discharge, including wastes from film processing and dry cleaning..

Invasive species Barnacles and other organisms find their way into the marine environment of St Maarten when cruise ships and other boats are cleaned, or they empty ballast waters. This is particularly a problem when ships have travelled from other oceans such as the Pacific and are likely to introduce new species.

Nutrient enrichment Nutrients are chemicals that are used by plants and animals for growth and energy. The main nutrients used in the marine environment are nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. Sewage from the human population is the main source of nutrient pollution around St Maarten. This enters the marine environment during heavy rain and from poorly maintained and managed waste water treatment. Corals usually thrive in nutrient poor environments and coral reef ecosystems are designed to quickly recycle any excess nutrients in the system. When there are elevated levels of nutrients around coral reefs algal growth and eutrophication4 kill coral. Chemicals and microbes associated with nutrient pollution also harm corals. Any damage to the corals on a reef will affect the whole reef and the human use of the reef e.g. a decline in diving tourism because damaged reefs are less attractive to visitors, and a further decline in fish stocks that depend on the reef for food.

Ferries and commercial shipping Ferries and commercial boats are a potential threat to the marine park through poor anchoring practices, pollution and physical damage.

FUTURE ISSUES FACING ST MAARTEN MARINE PARK Since planning is about the future, the factors which can affect the future of St Maarten Marine Park must be identified and evaluated. Whilst such predictions are at best uncertain, the identification of future trends in ecological change, visitor use, conflicts, economics and related pressures should be attempted. An understanding of the socioeconomic environment is of particular importance.

4 Eutrophication occurs in an aquatic ecosystem where high nutrient concentrations stimulate blooms of algae, especially in areas where there is limited water circulation 110 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Predictions are not just about future issues – they also help to identify opportunities for planning, beneficial change, remediation or restoration. The following expectations of change come from stakeholder consultation:

" Politics of making changes – issues over how to manage developments ‘sensitively’ " Exclusion of the Lagoon in the MPA as a political issue and will continue to be so. " Overexploitation from tourism and development " Natural disasters such as hurricanes " Lagoon and terrestrial run-off into the park from uncontrollable sources " Conflicts of interest " Lack of enforcement " Megayachts – cleaning and painting boats, disposal of waste. " More cruise ships are expected to visit the port, an extra arm is expected to be built to accommodate up to 8 cruise ships – so the port can accommodate 12 at any one time. Major concerns over manoeuvring and not hitting the reefs. " Loss of traditional fishing practices

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SUMMARY OF ISSUES

The main issues facing the St. Maarten Marine Park have been identified through extensive stakeholder input and management opinion in the Management Success Project (Box 9). The top 5 external issues only are listed in Box 9 since these have been identified as those pressures that are inherently threatening to the MPA values. The other issues mentioned are important but with further commitment to better practice and consideration of the scale of the impact in relation to the activity their significance is reduced within the framework of this management plan.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES " Lack of sustainable finance " Lack of management / legislation / enforcement " Lack of integrated coastal zone management

EXTERNAL ISSUES " Development and change of Land use " Pollution " Diving and Snorkelling " Yachting / boating / powercraft " Fisheries

Box 9: Key Issues facing St Maarten Marine Park.

Over the coming years, pressures on St Maarten Marine Park are likely to increase through development pressure and increased visitation. It is essential that an effective management strategy for the issues and threats is established. By choosing an effective course of action to deal with one of these issues, value will be added by outcomes that will have a knock on effect and go some way to tackle other issues that have been identified. An example of this would be to establish some method of sustainable financing to secure further human and physical resources to improve the Marine Parks capacity to deal with the external issues.

Alternatively, St Maarten Marine Park can identify essential projects which deal with multiple issues, an example of this might be a mooring programme which not only prevents anchor damage, but can also raise funds through mooring fees, tackle fisherfolk/diver conflict, and address issues with watercraft industries.

The recognition of the key issues facing St Maarten Marine Park is essential to the production of an effective work plan and key strategic actions.

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3 MANAGEMENT PLAN

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3.1 Marine Park Management Activities

The way PA management responds, or fails to respond, to the critical threats and persistent issues, is likely to be the single most important factor affecting the long-term viability of the Marine Park. The ultimate mission of St Maarten Marine Park is;

‘To manage, conserve and restore St. Maarten’s marine natural, cultural and historical resources for education, ecological functionality and sustainable use with continued stakeholder participation, for the benefit of current and future generations.’

Activities that build capacity, engage stakeholders, and/or promote policy actions are important contributors to the pursuit of the Marine Park’s mission. By carrying out specific actions to address particular threats and issues identified by stakeholders, the marine park will continue to address it’s mission and goals effectively. Activities in the past year are described in the Mid year Report in Appendix 12, and the full budget can be found in Appendix 12.

This section has three parts;

1. Key issues and actions Boxes outlining strategies to address the key issues and threats facing the marine park as an institution and environment.

2. Work schedule A detailed list of activities illustrating when they will take place over the calendar year.

3. Planned activities A sectioned table detailing all the planned activities relating to income generation, salaries, consultants, transportation, office, visitor centre, park equipment, monitoring and research, law enforcement, information and education, travel.

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KEY ISSUES AND ACTIONS The key issues and threats facing St Maarten Marine Park have been identified following stakeholder input and the DCNA management success project. The following strategies are considered critical for St Maarten Marine Park to deal with and should form the basis of management actions in pursuit of the mission, and goals. Stakeholders should be involved as much as possible and partners consulted, especially the DCNA for information and best practice sharing.

MANAGEMENT ISSUES

ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE FINANCE MECHANISMS

Without sufficient, sustainable finance, St Maarten Marine Park is at risk of becoming a ‘paper park’ where management agreements for the islands marine resources may turn out to be little more than statements of good intentions. The establishment of a dive fees system has already been investigated with a literature study, information sharing with St Eustatius National Parks and a stakeholder consultation in February 2006.

There is an urgent need to establish a sustainable financing mechanism for St Maarten Marine Park with plans already established to start charging dive fees in January 2007. In the light of stakeholder feedback the following actions should be taken;

Actions

Establish finance system Sensitise stakeholders and interested parties within a wider marketing and communication campaign. Launch any new aspects in a positive light emphasising the need for conservation and what the funds raised will be used for. Suggest that it is made a legal requirement for divers to display their tag. At the request of NAFSXM staff and board this action has been planned initially as presented in Appendix 13.

Stakeholder input Consult with key stakeholders regarding the implementation of the chosen finance strategy

Monitor progress Monitor any issues that arise and act upon them. Continually consult with stakeholders to ascertain successes and issues.

Explore possibilities for finance Stakeholder input identified that there was concern over a diver fee. Other options should be considered fully e.g. user fees, environmental levy, etc.

Feasibility study Financial, Legal, Administrative, Social, Political and environmental feasibility issues – including willingness to pay, and careful consideration of workload on those collecting the funds.

Business plan A business plan should be written to detail the amount of required revenue to meet the needs of the marine park, this should also include any alternatives considered and justifications for and against each case. The chosen finance strategy should include a range of options including souvenir sales etc.

Lobby Government Use business plan and feasibility study to solicit government buy in. Use examples from around the world.

Key reference: Spergel, B. (2004). Financing Marine Conservation. A Menu of Options, pp. 67. World Wildlife Fund Inc., Washington D.C.

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ESTABLISH MANAGEMENT, LEGISLATION, AND ENFORCEMENT STRUCTURES

The management planning process for St Maarten Marine Park established a clear vision, mission and goals. This has created issues with the current mandate of the Marine Park within Nature Foundation St Maarten since Marine Park resources (human and physical) spend a significant proportion of time dealing with Terrestrial issues. Legislation does not exist at present, although the Marine Park Ordinance will be signed before 2007 – some stakeholders requested that the ordinance be put aside until any issues are addressed. Stakeholders also identified enforcement mechanisms for the proposed ordinance are unclear.

Actions Establish a clear management structure Within Nature Foundation St Maarten, a clear role for the marine park and its resources is required. The Board of NAFSXM should work with partner organisations such as SXM Pride, EPIC to establish responsibilities for a Terrestrial Conservation Programme.

Establish Marine Park Ordinance Pursue the signing off of the Marine park Ordinance; consult with the government and law organisations on at least a weekly basis to discuss issues as they arise.

Effective enforcement Work with government, law organisations and stakeholders to establish clear enforcement procedures. Explore possibilities for self – policing and involving individuals in enforcement such as fisherfolk.

NEED FOR INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT

St Maarten is surrounded by waters capable of supporting rich marine life in seagrass, mangrove and coral reef habitats. Everything that happens on land directly effects the marine environment, yet the draft MPO states the Marine Park only has jurisdiction to the high water mark, with the exception of lagoons. Not only is there a lack of integration between terrestrial and marine environmental protection, but the unique divide between the Dutch and French side of the island requires international integration and close consultation. For the marine park to be able to effectively manage St Marten’s marine resources, it needs to be a statutory consultee for all terrestrial issues, especially development.

Actions Petition the island government to address the lack of integrated coastal Zone Management. Suggested improvements from stakeholder input include to insist on a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment for any new developments, with the Marine Park being a statutory consultee along with Terrestrial NGO’s.

Educate the government through outreach and frequent consultations about the importance of the marine environment to the island and the impacts of development

Support the pursuit of a Terrestrial PA via the board of NAFSXM support to international and local partners.

Lobby the French side for support and establish close a close working relationship with conservation organisations. Follow up on intentions between VROM and the French Environmental Department to establish a bi-national park, as described in the 1998 Carmabi / EcoVision Zoning document.

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EXTERNAL ISSUES

PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND CHANGES IN LAND USE

Unsustainable development on St Maarten is the most serious threat to the islands resources. Thoughtless landscaping and building near the waters edge, and even inland, removes habitats, causes sedimentation and nutrient enrichment of marine environment. This removes the values of the marine resources especially for the tourism industry, the mainstay of the St Maarten economy. Recommendations have been made to keep building to cope with the demand for rooms.

Actions

Raise awareness Identify stakeholders and interested parties and target with materials emphasising the importance of the natural environment on St Maarten and the effect of development. Include comparison photographs of Simpson Bay from 1970’s to early 21st century.

Lobby for integration and legislation see ‘Need for integrated Coastal Zone Management’

Develop a programme of construction best practice Develop best practice construction guidelines and an incentive programme in liaison with terrestrial NGO’s and other stakeholders. Market, publish, monitor and maintain the profile of the guidelines. Launch any associated programmes.

REDUCE POLLUTION

Pollution on St Maarten mainly comes from sewage, fuel and litter. These directly affect the health of the marine environment and humans using the marine environment. As St Maarten depends on a perceptibly healthy and clean marine environment for attracting tourist activity pollution levels must be reduced.

Actions

Raise awareness Continue with awareness programmes in schools and litter programmes, working in partnership with other NGO’s. Identify and target main sewage polluters and oil polluters (e.g. barge in Simpson Bay Lagoon) with specific outreach materials. Approach religious groups about making offerings and littering the marine environment.

Interpret MPO for pollution legalities Clearly define implications of MPO for potential polluters

Set enforcement methods Establish enforcement procedures by working closely with government and law organisations

Lobby government Approach the government for support for pollution reduction, emphasising the importance for the tourism industry.

Monitoring Establish monitoring protocols with clearly defined goals and objectives to asses the impact of sewage, hydrocarbons and litter.

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MANAGE UNSUSTAINABLE RECREATIONAL PRACTICES

Unsustainable practices relating to divers and other users are harming the very reefs and marine resources people visit St Maarten to enjoy. Anchoring near to dive sites is destroying corals, and anchoring by boats in seagrass beds is removing vast areas of habitat. Inexperienced divers continue to enter the water and damage the marine environment through direct contact with marine organisms. Fish feeding practices are also altering the behaviour of some species.

Actions

Diver orientation programme A structured diver orientation programme led by the dive operators and guided by SXM Marine Park would address issues relating to inexperienced divers. Such a programme should be made compulsory for all divers and be used as an outreach tool to convey messages to divers as well as operators.

Anchoring control With the forthcoming MPO as a framework, dive operators and boat owners should be targeted to receive outreach relating to permissions for anchoring

Fish feeding management Licences for fish feeding should be introduced within a best practice framework as defined by leading international conservation bodies such as The Coral Reef Alliance, World Wide Fund for Nature, The Shark Trust etc.

Outreach Beach users and snorkellers should be approached with relevant outreach materials to empower decisions and educate about the marine environment.

MANAGE ARTISANAL AND SMALL SCALE COMMERCIAL FISHERIES

Traditional fishing practices on St Maarten are dieing out due to overfishing throughout the past decades. As catches are marginalised, fisherfolk are becoming involved with conflict with other user groups, especially divers who interfere with equipment. The target species on St Maarten are Snappers, Groupers and other large predatory reef fish that are non-migratory and also have slow reproductive rates. Stocks will take time to recover. To re-establish a viable small scale fishing industry in St Maarten significant steps must be taken.

Actions

Information gathering Gather evidence and information about historical fish stocks and the causes of the decline.

Stakeholder consultation Involve the fishing community at all levels, including the French side. Involve those fisherfolk that volunteered in a monitoring programme to establish the current status of stocks.

Identify possible responses Present a range of options for managing the fish stocks of St Maarten’s inshore waters e.g. FPA’S , permits, tools, catch limits etc

Implement fisheries programme, Monitor results

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WORK SCHEDULE FOR 2006/2007

Timeframe

Output: Activity Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1. OFFICE OPERATIONAL COSTS SALARIES - STAFF Director Administrator Marine Park Manager Assistant marine park manager Chief ranger Rangers Education officer Other staff (Land Park Manager) Other staff related costs CONSULTANTS Accountant Auditor TRANSPORTATION Car 1 Insurance Car 1 Tax Car 1 Fuel Car 1 Maintenance Car 2 Insurance Car 2 Tax Car 2 Fuel Car 2 Maintenance Boat Insurance Boat Tax Boat Fuel Boat Maintenance Boat - new engines

Italic type with shading indicates activities under consideration.

119 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Work schedule continued

Output: Activity Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec OFFICE Rent Office supplies Utilities Telephone Internet Postage Maintenance (cleaning 90 p/m) Moving costs New office deposit

2. VISITOR CENTRE Create a plan for a visitor's centre Buy new computer for volunteer use Set up online research system Organise and expand on library

3. RESEARCH AND MONITORING Develop fundraising strategy Terrestrial Biological survey Create a species database for St. Maarten Sea turtle tracking and data collection Bird watching cabins Marine biological survey Fish stock assessment Underwater documentary Coral reef health monitoring programme

120 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Work schedule continued Output: Activity Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 4. LEGAL / LAW ENFORCEMENT CITES permits Environmental legislation handbook Investigate possibilities of protection through legislation Special agent police training for Marine Park Staff 5. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION Education programme materials Printing of Educational worksheets Development of lesson boxes Junior Nature Foundation Club Website Printing Annual Reports Print/distribute newsletters Christmas cards Environmental Conference (Ecofest) Sea turtle Signs Printing Calendar 2008 Printing flora/fauna books/brochures Annual Photography competition Enviro-cards for hotels "Scout" sea turtle T-shirts and beakers VIERS environmental camp Plastic bag reduction campaign Research and analysis Information sheets for retail staff Poster printing campaign Radio jingle/psa broadcast Office expenses (paper, photocopies, email, telephone) Making and broadcast of tv commercial Documentary Contingency and unforeseen costs Finalise communication strategy Volunteer Coordination Programme (T-shirts) Clean ups Set up an electronic information system (press cuttings)

121 St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan Work schedule continued Output: Activity Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

6. TRAVEL Education SSS Islands Programme DCNA Sea Turtle symposium Trainings / conferences

7. MARINE PARK Produce Marine Park management plan Finalise marine park ordinance Sign management agreement with ExCo Introduce dive/snorkel fee collection infrastructure Implement Marine Park Management Plan Create/produce new marine park maps Patrolling and law enforcement Replace engines on boat Purchase dinghy Replace damaged diving equipment Purchase mobile and AV equipment Mooring Program Ranger exchange programme Phase II Management Plan (focus - yachting sector) Develop a network with marine research institutions

8. TERRESTRIAL AND WETLAND PROTECTION Secure funding to set up TPA(s) on SXM Conduct a biological inventory Create a sustainable scheme for the birdwatching cabins Set up guided eco-tours Mangrove restoration project or similar Maintenance of Fresh Pond fountains

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PLANNED ACTIVITIES INCOME ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES Income generation Government subsidies Make case for receiving government subsidies. Plan and execute approach. Service (admission) fees Aim to reach minimum of $50,000 per year via dive fees (based on 10,000 dives). Fee collection will start as of January 1st 2007. Actual fees could end up being much more. Work with Island Government to receive additional fees from taxes etc Grants Seek grants for dinghy, new engines for boat, additional ranger Prepare financial and technical progress reports for funders (IUCN, Stichting DOEN, PBCF, INNO-WWF, MINA, KNAP) Green Financing Pursue previously agreed "green financing" contribution from St. Maarten Ports Authority OilMop Pursue previously agreed contribution from Oil recycling company OilMop Donations, souvenir sales Increase souvenir sale range (including calendar, postcards, T-shirts, posters, books, regatta bands etc)

Increase distribution of donation boxes on island Plan and implement eco-tours Work with current corporate sponsors (Classic regatta, Heineken, Volvic, PJIA, Jake Richter) and work to gain additional corporate sponsors Other income Transfer outstanding funds from Reef Ball project to operational account, as agreed. Create a fundraising strategy document

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OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES Salaries Director No Director at present. There are ideas to combine the Director and Office Manager positions until the park is more sustainable financially, however this is still under discussion. Marine Park Manager Marine Park Manager coordinates all activities in Marine Park. Directs ranger(s). Assistant marine park manager None at this time. Former Assistant Marine Park Manager will leave organization in December 2006. Administrator Book-keeping, budgets, reception, reporting, fundraising, administration, legal issues and legislation (among others) Chief ranger None Rangers Ranger will be employed in November 06 and trained during Nov/Dec. (mooring maintenance, patrolling, enforcement, research and monitoring) Education officer Shared between STENAPA, SCF and NFSXM until June 2007. Hosted and employee of Nature Foundation St. Maarten. Other staff (Land Park Manager) We wish to find money for and hire a Terrestrial Park manager before the end of 2007 (depending on funds) Other staff related costs Ongoing activities include T-shirts for staff members and small trainings. Consultants Accountant Yearly accounts done by Office Manager in association with Hassink & Roos (early February) Auditor Ernst & Young, engaged by DCNA. Transportation Truck 1 truck for which the bodywork was redone in 2006. Currently seeking second car as fairly urgent requirement. Vessel 1 marine park vessel. Currently seeking funds to purchase new engines (as the current engines are on their very last legs) and a dinghy for use in patrols and fee collection once the Marine Park Ordinance and Management Plan comes into effect Jan 1st 2007 Office Purchase / move to new office In January 2007, Nature Foundation will purchase and move to a new office (as current offices to make way for a marina) with associated costs. Rental payments will remain about the same as they are now. Administration Office supplies. Administration and correspondence. Telephone/Internet. Utilities (To date utilities have been included in our rent, however as of January 2007, we will need to pay separately.). Reception point Sale of souvenirs, information for visitors and guests, book-keeping, volunteer care etc Visitor centre Services Set up visitors centre in new office Acquire computer for visitor/volunteer use Set up online research system Organise and expand on library Update information displays Expand souvenir selection Include use of internet as fundraising Increase use of meeting room for seminars/lectures

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OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES continued Park Equipment Mobile Our VHF radio will be maintained in reception, and on boat. Staff have their own cell phones which are occasionally refunded for work costs. communication AV equipment A lap top and projector are available in the office for use in presentations, instruction, education, meetings and seminars/workshops.

Diving equipment A list of dive equipment is available and equipment is checked and maintained on a regular basis. There are 2 full sets of diving equipment available for staff. New masks need to be purchased. Buoys etc NF SXM maintains 22 moorings currently and plans to create 8 more in early 2007.. Engines for boat Engines for the marine park vessel are desperately needed in 2007. Seeking funding for these engines is of high priority. The current engines have been fixed in 2006 but temporary fixes are no longer cost efficient. $3000 has been pledged from WIB. Numerous letters have been sent to corporations, however as yet, positive feedback has not been received. Dinghy A dinghy is required in 2007 in order to patrol effectively in accordance with the Marine Park Ordinance and Marine Park Management Plan. Funding will be sought as priority. Monitoring and Terrestrial and Biological survey of flora and fauna will take place in first half of 2007 in collaboration with Conservation International (following scoping study research wetland protection in August 06). Project will be funded by KNAP. Project will be combined with various other projects (production of brochures on flora and programme fauna, species database)

Birdwatching cabins: Bird count surveys (with EPIC) Marine Park Sea turtle tracking and data collection will continue in 2007 with funding from INNO-WWF (night and daily patrols during nesting season (May - October) It is hoped we can undertake a marine biological inventory in 2007, in addition to or as part of, the terrestiral and wetland Biological survey.

Fish stock assessment baseline study (seeking funding) Coral reef health monitoring programme (with Ocean Care Foundation)

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OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES continued Law enforcement CITES permits Continue role as CITES representative on St. Maarten. Possibly organise training for new staff with Eric Newton of MINA- VOMIL. Environmental legislation Handbook Distribute and train rangers in use of Legislation Handbook International legislation Investigate possibilities of implementing international and national legislation at the St. Maarten level (in particular, the possibilities of upgrading the Nature Ordinance to include SPAW index III species to protect the mangroves)

Marine Park Special agent police training for Marine Park staff Weekly patrols on random days Checks of dive tags on dive boats Checks of snorkel tags on snorkel boats Terrestrial and Wetland programme Checks in response to incoming complaints Checks of development projects in environmentally sensitive areas Travel Education SSS Islands Programme Travel to Statia and Saba for Environmental Education programme DCNA Travel by St. Maarten based DCNA Board representatives to DCNA Board meetings (bi-yearly) Sea Turtle symposium Sea-turtle coordinator attends sea turtle symposium in February (USA) Trainings / conferences Staff/manager to attend trainings and conferences where relevent (such as setting up a Ranger Exchange Programme within the Dutch Caribbean)

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OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES continued This years theme is water. Education programme materials and worksheets will be created and programme taught in schools to grades x to x on Education Programme in schools St. Maarten, Statia and Saba, from September 06 to June 07. Lesson boxes will be developed for the educational programmes from the last 2 years (i) using Scout the sea turtle as a flagship species for Sustainable environmental environmental protection (ii) the "Waste Watchers" programme on pollution and littering, so that teachers can continue the classes on thier own. education programme for schools Boxes wil be for rent or purchase. With money from Volvic, we hope to make "Scout" beakers to encourage the reuse aspect of waste control. Junior Nature Foundation Club Club set up to give monthly walks and workshops for children aged 8-12. VIERS Environmental Camp Ensure 4 students receive opportunity to attend environmental camp in August with chaperone Continuation of press releases, Regular radio and TV interviews. Development of 5 PSA's for radio (in collaboration with Island 92) Media Development of a commercial for television and cinema (in collaboration with Enviro-conference project) Increase international and regional media exposure Attend sea turtle symposium and other events/conferences

Research and analysis Information sheets for retail staff Poster printing campaign Plastic bag reduction campaign Radio jingle/psa broadcast Making and broadcast of tv commercial Production of a documentary (in style of Klokhuis) Annual Reports Produce and distribute Annual Report in April/May 2007

Information and education Newsletter Newsletter produced and distributed 4 times a year (Feb, May, Aug, Nov) Website Rebuild website as high priority. Functional design already made. Seeking designer and funding. Annual Photography Competition Launch second year of Nature Foundation Photography Awards to increase awareness of natural environment and wildlife of St. Maarten Produce a calendar for 2008 to celebrate 10 year anniversary of Nature Foundation, celebrate St. Maarten's natural environment and wildlife, Calendar 2008 raise awareness of work of Nature Foundation and as fundraising initiative. Photos from photography competition 2006 and 2007 to make up part of calendar. Book or brochures to be produced to provide information to community and visitors on the flora and fauna of St. Maarten. Research for the Flora/fauna books/brochures books/brochures will take place in combination with the Biological surveys of the land and water. Informative signs to be erected on main sea turtle nesting beaches to inform community and visitors of the species and how to protect them. Sea turtle Signs Proposal complete. Looking for funding. Completion of postponed project to create cards for hotel rooms to remind visitors of the various ways they can reduce the detrimental Enviro-Cards for hotels environmental impact whilst staying on the island Communication strategy In 2007, a communication strategy will be drawn up for Nature Foundation Sint Maarten as part of our long-term strategy planning Volunteer programme Further improvements will be made to the volunteer programme in 2007 (T-shirts printed for volunteers, coordinator sought, brochure printed) Ongoing programme on land, marine and coastal environment, often in collaboration with St. Maarten Pride organisation. Continued throughout Clean-ups 2007.

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3.2 Recommendations The following recommendations provide an outline of the extra issues needing to be addressed in the longer term. These should be dealt with as and when the opportunity arises.

DETAILED ZONING PLAN A revision of the initial zoning pan is required to include updates made since 1998 and take the MPO into account. This should incorporate the existing zoning plans for Simpson Bay Lagoon and Oyster Pond. The shoreward and seaward boundaries of the marine park should be explicitly defined in consideration with existing policies and legislation (especially the Beach Policies of the government). The original 1998 zoning document included suggestions for future marine park areas:

! Cupecoy – a characteristic cliff area with unspoilt beaches ! Little Bay Pond, important for waterfowl and as a buffer between the marine and terrestrial environments ! Parts of Point Blanche as well as the area from Back Bay to Guana Bay, a characteristic, mostly unspoiled rocky coast, providing nesting sites for seabirds ! Red Pond and surroundings which harbour waterfowl and mangroves and also act as a buffer between the marine and terrestrial environments.

INFORMATION GAPS. The following sources of information have been identified as useful for protected areas by Kenchington, R. A. (1990. Managing Marine Environments. Taylor and Francis, New York). The development of those that are not available to the marine park management will increase the management capacity of the institution. This should be done as soon as and when the opportunity arises.A database of the literature references is presented in Appendix 14.

Information Source Comments

Geological maps x GIS topography map and map of marine PA pending Maps of currents x outdated info Bathymetric charts x outdated info – some may be developed in 2007 Tide tables " can be found at SXM weather channel Only for terrestrial vegetation through The Nature Conservancy, possibly outdated. A marine Baseline habitat maps x baseline study is needed to help establish the conservation ststus of SXM MPA. Community descriptions " Aid environment study on "Marine environment of St. Maarten" (1990's) CITES list and Red List for Netherlands Antilles. SXM does not currently have a marine Species lists - biological inventory. Note: Species listed on CITES list and that of Netherlands Antilles may not necessarily be present on St. Maarten. Status of commercially Note: Commercial fishing is done outside the MPA. Fishing within the MPA is artisanal. important species x Catches include: snapper, grouper, butterfish, yellowtail, jacks, hinds and grunts. Endangered, threatened, CITES list of species and Red List for NA, no known endemics left on SXM endemic species status x Aerial photographs " See CD and Google World

Hydrological survey x Rocky Shores Study only Land use plans " Zoning Plan for St. Maarten (VROM dept.) Topographical maps " GIS (Arcview program) Economic valuation x Currently unknown. Future SocMon survey may would provide some information Cultural valuation x Currently unknown. Traditional usage " Recreational and commercial fishing Current use / usage Little information other than for cruise ships levels x

Socio-economic survey x

Table 23: Information sources within St Maarten Marine Park

St Maarten Marine Park Management Plan

MONITORING AND REVIEW

A strategic programme for monitoring the health of natural resources in the marine park is needed. AGGRA, REEFCHECK and CARICOMP sites should be maintained. Any historical monitoring data should be summarised and used to form a comprehensive monitoring plan. Fish stock monitoring can be established with the fishermen. Partnerships with International academic institutions should be sought to increase the amount of research available to the park management. St Maarten Marine Park should continue to contribute to the DCNA Management Success Project to ensure marine park management activities are also monitored for success.

Extensive usage statistics should also be sought for yachting, cruise ships, divers and the other key users. For divers, this information should be captured from the sale of dive tags. To record the numbers of divers visiting the various dive sites should be a legal requirement in the MPO for operators to fulfil.

UPDATE WEBSITE Generally, the population on the Internet is well-educated and affluent. Most own a computer; others have access to one. Internet users and are interested in convenience. Many prefer the ease of finding information directly from their computer screens. This includes researchers, holidaymakers, local people, government and a range of other SXM MPA stakeholders. On completion of the management plan and the signing of the MPO, the SXM MPA website should be updated. There are a number of reasons why an effective website is beneficial;

1. Reaching stakeholders and interested parties quickly and Inexpensively i) Advertise the work of SXM MPA and any products sold. ii) On-line publishing 2) Leveraging Funding Dollars; i) Increasing funding ii) Reduce the cost of printing and mailing you’re a range of information iii) Updating information quickly iv) Make more people aware of SXM MPA vi) Making pictures, sound and film files available 3) Reduce the Costs of contacting stakeholders and interested parties; i) Making a range of information available ii) Answering frequently asked questions iii) Receiving feedback from stakeholders and interested parties iv) Creating a 24 Hour information source 4) Public Relations; i) Releasing time-sensitive materials ii) Reaching the media 5) Streamline Information Distribution i) Staying in contact in any time zone ii) Employees abroad can access a range of information

FREQUENT STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION Stakeholders should be consulted with frequently and in a structured fashion to increase the feedback that the marine park receives. Bi-monthly meetings at a set location with all stakeholders who wish to take part is one option. Such meetings should be used to identify key issues and as a marketing and update platform.

Table 23 outlines the stakeholder functional groups, objectives of communication and methods of contact. Outreach and education should form part of a wider marketing and communication strategy.

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NAGEMENT PLAN

GROUP DETAIL OBJECTIVES NEWS - WEBSITE LIST SERVERS ANNUAL REPORT NEWSLETTER E BROCHURE, LEAFLETS SIGNAGE PRESENTATIONS MEETINGS PRESS /TV/RADIO MA Promote: nature as good business and its value Government Governor, commissioners, ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! to the island economy Government Developing practical solutions to conservation DROB, DEZA, LVV, JAZ ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! departments and management issues Tourism Boards, FCCA , associations, Establish BNMP as a premier dive and Tourism trade shows, fam trips, airlines, travel watersports destination in the Caribbean and ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! agents, resorts the role of conservation Dive operators, wind/kite surfers, Emphasis the need for practical hands on Local kayakers, sailors, power boaters, conservation effort on the part of the industry ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Watersports fisherfolk etc to protect the reefs and their role Importance of marine conservation and visitor Tourists Visiting tourists, ! ! ! ! ! ! ! role in conservation management Muster continued interest through involvement Volunteers Local and international volunteers ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! and active feedback Research Stimulate relevant management orientated International, regional ! ! ! ! ! Institutions research into issues of interest to BNMP Companies, individuals, business Value of the marine park (to their business) Private sector ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! associations and fund raising Stimulate interest in BNMP, educate about Islanders, especially special interest Islanders conservation management and build support ! ! ! ! ! ! ! groups such as fishermen for management decisions Current/future funders, AMFO, Build donor confidence in BNMP and donor Funders ! ! ! ! ! ! ! foundations, individuals cultivation Promote conservation management activities International Regional institutions, international and build relationships with other similar ! ! ! ! ! conservation NGOs, conferences initiatives Educate about the marine environment and Local Education Schools, colleges and school children ! ! ! ! ! ! ! need for conservation

Table 24: Outreach strategy for St Maarten Marine Park

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3.3 Appendices

1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA 2 CLIMATE INFORMATION 3 BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION 4 IUCN RED LIST AND CITES CLASSIFICATIONS 5 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION 6 INITIAL SXM MPA BOUNDARIES AND ZONES 1998 7 MARINE PARK MAP 8 NAFSXM DOCUMENTS 9 LEGAL DOCUMENTS 10 BROCHURES, LEAFLETS AND PRESS RELEASES 11 ISSUES ANALYSIS 12 MID YEAR REPORT AND BUDGET 13 FEES IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDATIONS 14 LITERATURE DATABASE

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4 ADDITIONS AND DEVELOPMENTS

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