MacRae, D.R.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Bonaire National Marine Park was established in 1979. The marine park protects 2,700 hectares of coral reefs, seagrass beds and mangrove forests. Seventy-five IUCN Red List critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable species, and 15 CITES Appendix I species, are recorded in the marine park. The marine park includes two Ramsar sites: Lac Bay (the largest semi-enclosed bay in the Dutch Caribbean) and Klein Bonaire (an uninhabited satellite island located approximately 700 m offshore). Bonaire’s coral reefs are considered some of the healthiest in the Caribbean.

The marine park forms the cornerstone of the island economy. Bonaire is consistently ranked in the top five diving destinations in the Caribbean. Year-round trade winds increasingly attract wind- and kitesurf enthusiasts. Nature-based tourism is the largest economic sector on the island accounting for over 38% of the economy and more than half of all jobs.

But success comes at a price. The pace of economic growth since the constitutional change in 2010 has been unprecedented. Rapid population growth and increasing number of tourists are driving land conversion and coastal development. The pressure on the Bonaire National Marine Park has never been greater, and the task of balancing economic development with nature conservation never more acute.

The management plan provides specific recommendations for the period 2022-2028, centered around six conservation strategies:

1. Optimize protection of key habitats and species.
2. Improve sustainable recreation.
3. Encourage sustainable fishing.
4. Control invasive species and disease.
5. Support restoration of key habitats and species.
6. Influence policy and legislation to improve park management.

This management plan was developed in close co-operation with local stakeholders. The plan is organized in eight chapters. This document also serves as the management plan for the Ramsar sites Lac Bay and Klein Bonaire.

The Mount Scenery Nature Park management plan consists of four sections as outlined below:

Part 1: Background Information.

The physical, social and political environment within which the management takes place greatly influences the operations of the protected area. Those using the management plan may not be aware of the circumstances of the Mt. Scenery National Park 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 where appropriate. Part 1 can be used as a stand-alone introduction to the island and the Mt. Scenery National Park 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 for the Saba Conservation Foundation. Resources available to the SCF are described, including the legal instruments, institutional arrangements and human and physical resources. The main issues facing the Mt. Scenery National Park 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 likely to face the Mt. Scenery National Park.

Part 3: Management Plan.

Management strategies and goals are clarified for Saba Conservation Foundation and others involved in park management. Part 3 is of concern to those with an interest in the current activities of SCF and the Mt. Scenery National Park and the rationale 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 protected area. 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 the Mt. Scenery National Park 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.