Date established: 1983
Area (Km2): 10.40

General description of site:
The Curaçao Underwater Park is located along the South East (leeward) coast of Curaçao. It stretches over a distance of 20 km from the eastern tip of the island to the west. It consist mainly of submarine terrace, 16-230 m wide, to a depth of 10 m, followed by a steep reef slope(40 %) with a lower depth limit at 50-60 m. The pristine reef consist of a wide array of fringing reef types, both biologically and geologically interesting, carrying different types of reef communities in various stages of development. About 55 coral species occur on the reefs along with 250 species of fish. An average of 19 coral species occurred per 200 m2 at 6m and 23 species at 12m depth. Coral cover at 6m on the leeward side was 30-50%, and 30-70% at 12m (Status of coral reefs of the world, 2002).
The three inner bays that are included within the park hold their own particular types of community and are important for their role in species and habitat conservation.

Ecosystems:

• Coral reefs
  
• Sea grass beds
  
• Mangroves
  
• Saliñas

Threatened, endangered, endemic species:

• See appendix ( 3 pdf attachments)

Internationally recognition: non yet
Legal status: Established by Island decree and subsidized by the Island Government of Curaçao

Vision and goals:

• Vision: To manage Curaçao's coral reefs and associated marine ecosystems in such a way that these systems can provide important services and economic benefits to the community on a sustainable basis.
• Goal(s): To establish Coastal Zone Management for the whole Island of Curaçao (and Klein Curaçao) as proposed in our Coastal Zone Management Plan (1993) to protect, maintain and/or improve the coral reefs and associated marine ecosystems to safeguard them for the future.

Visitation:

Management body: Carmabi Foundation

Main challenges:

• Coastal developement
  
• Unregulated fishing/overfishing
  
• Industry and Shipping
  
• Sediment and pollution from inland sources
  
• Coral Bleaching
  
• Coral disease

Does a management plan exist? Yes

Main stakeholders:

• Fishermen
• Tourists

Listing of current/recent research activities:
http://www.carmabi.org/files/Publications

Information and Web Links

Contact Information:
CARMABI
Directeur: Dr. A. Debrot
Adres: Piscadera Baai, Curaçao
tel: +599-9-462-4242
Website: www.carmabi.org