Saba marine park

An Economic and Social Study of the Saba Marine Park, Saba, Netherlands Antilles.

The Dutch island of Saba in the North Eastern Caribbean has been surrounded by a protected area since 1987. This area known as the Saba Marine Park was developed as a result of a project initiated in 1984 by the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles which was aimed at strengthening the economy of Saba through dive tourism. In 1987 the Saba Marine Park (SMP) was officially established through the Marine Environment Ordinance, Saba and within six years became self-financed, by charging user fees, selling souvenirs and accepting donations. In 1994/95 a cost benefit analysis determined that the Park was responsible for generating US $ 3 million towards the islands Gross Domestic Product of US $14 million, and continues to play a major role in the sustainable development of the environment, the economy and the social well-being of the islands people. The incomes and expenses of the SMP were itemized and the activities with the greatest benefit/cost ratio calculated to form recommendations for the economic development of the Park.
Visiting divers indicated a preference towards Saba for their diving vacation because of the opportunity to dive in an unspoiled and protected location. A multi-criteria analysis carried out in conjunction with the cost/benefit analysis consolidated local peoples, and visitors opinions of the SMP. These opinions varied , but in general people understood the economic benefits of the Park to the island but stressed that aspects such as communication, education and a wider distribution of benefits from the Marine Park needed developed in the future.  

Date
1999
Data type
Research report
Theme
Governance
Report number
CANARI Technical Report Nº 262
Geographic location
Saba

An Economic and Social Study of the Saba Marine Park, Saba, Netherlands Antilles.

The Dutch island of Saba in the North Eastern Caribbean has been surrounded by a protected area since 1987. This area known as the Saba Marine Park was developed as a result of a project initiated in 1984 by the Central Government of the Netherlands Antilles which was aimed at strengthening the economy of Saba through dive tourism. In 1987 the Saba Marine Park (SMP) was officially established through the Marine Environment Ordinance, Saba and within six years became self-financed, by charging user fees, selling souvenirs and accepting donations. In 1994/95 a cost benefit analysis determined that the Park was responsible for generating US $ 3 million towards the islands Gross Domestic Product of US $14 million, and continues to play a major role in the sustainable development of the environment, the economy and the social well-being of the islands people. The incomes and expenses of the SMP were itemized and the activities with the greatest benefit/cost ratio calculated to form recommendations for the economic development of the Park.
Visiting divers indicated a preference towards Saba for their diving vacation because of the opportunity to dive in an unspoiled and protected location. A multi-criteria analysis carried out in conjunction with the cost/benefit analysis consolidated local peoples, and visitors opinions of the SMP. These opinions varied , but in general people understood the economic benefits of the Park to the island but stressed that aspects such as communication, education and a wider distribution of benefits from the Marine Park needed developed in the future.  

Date
1999
Data type
Research report
Theme
Governance
Report number
CANARI Technical Report Nº 262
Geographic location
Saba

A self-financing marine park: the Saba case

Short case study prepared for the CANARI Workshop on Revenue Generation for Protected Areas, Saba, Netherlands Antilles, June 5-9, 1995. The Saba Marine Park (SMP) was created in 1987. Prior the establishment of SMP few divers visited Saba. Dive operators at the time estimated the number of divers at 500 in 1984 and 1,000 in 1986. Following the establishment of SMP the number of visiting divers and snorkellers increased rapidly: from 2,600 in 1988 to well over 5,000 in 1994. Despite the fact that Saba is not among the popular yachting destinations in the northeastern Caribbean, the increase of yachts visiting SMP proved to be even more dramatic. In order to become self-financing, SMP embarked on a three-pronged revenue generation strategy: visitor/user fees, souvenir sales, and donations. One may conclude from the 1994 and 1995 budgets that the Saba Marine Park has achieved its goal to become a self-financing entity within the Saba Conservation Foundation. A number of important lessons which will have applications elsewhere have been derived.

Date
1995
Data type
Other resources
Theme
Governance
Geographic location
Saba