Exclusive Economic Zone

Ecosystem profile for the 15 European Overseas entities in the Caribbean region.

The Caribbean Islands are composed of 30 nations and overseas entities: 12 independent nations, 3 U.S. territories (Puerto-Rico, US Virgin Islands, Navassa Island) and 15 European Overseas entities that are politically attached to France, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The region is considered as a biodiversity hotspot of international importance, which encompasses over 7,000 islands, islets, cays and reefs ranging in size from just 5 km2 to over 100,000 km2.

BEST – an initiative to promote conservation in European overseas

The Caribbean region comprises one of the seven regions in the world, in which European Union (EU) Overseas entities are located: from the Arctic to the Antarctic, in the Atlantic, the Pacific, and Indian Ocean, and even in parts of the Amazon. Combined their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) make the largest marine area worldwide, covering 15% of the ocean. They host 20% of coral reefs and lagoons, provide the last refuge to 6% of globally threatened and endangered species and are acknowledged as biodiversity hotspots for their immense diversity of species, ecosystems and landscapes. Together, the 9 EU Outermost Regions (ORs) and 25 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) host more than 70% of Europe’s biodiversity. 

Date
2016
Data type
Other resources
Theme
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
Saba bank
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of St. Eustatius and Saba

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) map of St. Eustatius and Saba (GIS). Includes contiguous zone and territorial sea. Based on the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS, 1982) an Exclusive Economic Zone is a maritime zone over which a state has sovereign rights for the exploration and use of marine resources. See this report for more info.

 

Data type
Maps and Charts
Theme
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Saba
St. Eustatius

BioNews 3 - March 2013

From a global perspective, March has been busy when it comes to regulatory affairs with the CITES meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, in which worldwide protection for several shark species and manta rays was established and, closer to home, with the EEZ Meeting on Curaçao which will be showcased as the ‘Meeting of the Month’. This report is complemented by a short article on the importance of marine mammal conservation in the Dutch Caribbean.

Amongst others, you will find in this third issue:

 

Date
2013
Data type
Media
Theme
Education and outreach
Research and monitoring
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten
Author

Management plan for the natural resources of the EEZ of the Dutch Caribbean

On the 10th of October 2010 the governmental entity known as the Netherlands Antilles is scheduled to cease to exist. Each island will aquire a new status within the kingdom. Following the declaration of an Exclusive Fishery Zone (EFZ) in 1993, an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) has been declared in the Dutch Caribbean on the tenth of June 2010.

The EEZ area concerned, is a large expanse of sea which harbours exceptional biodiversity, and represents an important natural renewable resource potential. The Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and The Netherlands have, therefore, opted to draft a management plan for the EEZ. This initiative began in the year 2005 when the first conference regarding the management of the biodiversity in the EEZ was held. The consensus was that despite a fragmented Dutch Caribbean, the EEZ should always be integrally managed. In 2009 the participants of the second conference confirmed the need for common management and developed common goals, principles and a framework for the management of the Dutch Caribbean waters. Resulting from this conference a management plan was drafted, circulated to all stakeholders and discussed on the 1st of June 2010. Based on the input and feedback received, as well as subsequent correspondence, this final management plan was jointly developed.

The Dutch Ministery of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality (LNV) gave financial support to facilitate the process. This management plan initially stems from the framework policy plan “Natuurbeleid van de Nederlandse Antillen” (2000) that recognized the urgent need for a management plan for the Saba Bank, situated inside the EFZ waters, to ensure sustainable fisheries and protection of its rich biodiversity. It also closely follows the intention of the Kingdom with regards to the goals set forth in the Dutch biodiversity policy programme “Beleidsprogramma Biodiversiteit 2008-2011”. In this respect, as a party to the Convention on Biodiversity, The Netherlands also has a strong international commitment to help stem the global decline in biodiversity.

This management plan outlines the purposes and manner in which the Caribbean Exclusive Economic Zone and Saba Bank in particular may be used in a sustainable manner, based on a shared vision and common set of goals. It outlines the management objectives, as well as key policies, and strategies with which to achieve sustainable management. It also addresses the administrative structure, resource use, financial support, key information needs, and action points most urgently required to set sustainable management in place.

To set the stage for implementation and properly initiate this process governments of The Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and The Netherlands have, among others resolved to:

  1. take those steps needed to legally designate the Saba bank as a specially protected national marine area,
  2. take all steps necessary to legally designate the Dutch Caribbean EEZ as a Marine Mammal Sanctuary,
  3. install a EEZ Marine Resourses Committee to guide the process of further management implementation and
  4. allocate the required core funding.

These important intentions are formalized and set in action by means of an agreement between parties. 

Date
2010
Data type
Research report
Theme
Legislation
Research and monitoring
Report number
C100/10
Geographic location
Aruba
Bonaire
Curacao
Saba
St. Eustatius
St. Maarten