Saba National Marine Park

Date established: 1987
Area (Km2): 13

General description of site:
The Saba National Marine Park surrounds the island of Saba in the eastern Caribbean, located approximately 150 miles east of Puerto Rico and 20 miles south of St. Maarten. The Marine Park comprises about 13 km2 of coral reef and sea floor from the high water tide mark on the island down to a depth of 60 meters. The Park exists within a context of rising demand for nature-based tourism opportunities, increased interest in protecting marine bio-diversity values, and greater interest in tourism as an economic development tool. In a sense, management must integrate provision of recreational opportunities with the mandate to protect the values for which it is established.
While a variety of factors are presently stressing coral reefs globally (including bleaching, crown-of-thorns starfish, human activity—such as siltation from runoff, destruction for harbors and airports, and insensitive recreational diving and snorkeling) the reefs in the Saba National Marine Park are relatively pristine. Yet, protection through designation alone remains an inadequate tool. To be effective, designation must be accompanied by a management system that focuses on retaining the desired social and biophysical conditions. Those conditions are specified in a joint, systematic exploration among the effected public and visitors, the local community, and managers.
The most fascinating dive sites are the Pinnacles that rise from the ocean floor up to depths of 30m and were formed by past volcanic activity and are nourished by deep ocean currents.

Ecosystems:

• Coral reefs
  
• Pinnacles(pelagic species)
  
• Patches of sea grass
  
• Rocky shore

Threatened, endangered, endemic species:

• Turtles (Hawksbill, Green)
  
• Nassau groupers, and other groupers

Internationally recognition

• National park status

Legal status: legally protected (legislation)Marine Environmetant Ordinance (1987)

Vision and goals:
Vision & Goal(s)
In order to protect the above values and benefits, the Park adopts the following vision & goals:

• The Marine Environment
  • Preserve marine water quality currently found around Saba.
    
  • Preserve the diversity of species found within the SMP.
    
  • Preserve the abundance of marine life currently present within the Park.
    
  • Preserve the pristine condition of the overall marine environment.
• Recreation and Diving
  
• Provide opportunities for experienced and skilled divers. Because of the pristine character of the coral reef and the depths involved in interacting with them, the SMP provides an opportunity not found in many other places for highly skilled and educated divers.
  
• Provide opportunities for improvement in diving skills. The skill level required to experience some areas of the SMP is relatively high. Some divers may not have that skill; others may want to increase their skills.
  
• Provide opportunities to view parts of the SMP for non-divers. While overall the skill level required to experience the Park is relatively high, some areas may not require diving skills. By increasing opportunities for non-divers, the SMP increases the breadth of market for its resources.
• Saba Marine Park
  • Develop the SMP in such a manner that it will serve as a role model for other marine parks around the world.
    
  • Maximize the educational potential of the Park. The Park provides the ability to increase scientific research and to enhance a greater awareness and understanding of the marine environment among the local population.
    
  • Improve access and increase use of the Marine Park by local residents.
    
  • Generate revenue to ensure financial sustainability.
• Linkages to the Local Community
  
• Increase local involvement in the activities of the Park. Local residents should be able to more actively utilize the resources of the Park. This involvement also coincides with the desire to improve education and awareness of the SMP within the local community.
  
• Maintain the current uses of the Marine Park. Diving, fishing, and yachting are all desirable activities that fit within the general character of the SMP and foster interaction with local resident users.
  
• Encourage small-scale development that fits within the character of the island. Development of Saba and the SMP is important for the Park and local economy.

Visitation: ~7000 divers and 6000 sailors/ year

Management body: Saba Conservation Foundation

Type of management structure: Co-management

Main challenges:

• Development pressure
  
• Coastal erosion and land base sources of pollution

Does a management plan exist? Yes, based on Limits of Acceptable Change concept

Does an annual report exist ? Yes

Main stakeholders:

• Fishermen/farmers
  
• General tourism sector
  
• Dive Operators

Contact Information:
Saba Conservation Foundation
Jan den Dulk
Fort Bay, Saba
tel: +599-416-3295
www.sabapark.org
Email: snmp@unspoiltqueen.com
Website: www.sabapark.org