Statia Marine Park

Date established: 1996

General description of site:
Coined the ‘undiscovered diving secret of the Caribbean’, Statia Marine Park encompasses the entire coastline of St Eustatius from the high water mark to the 30 metre depth contour. The distance of the Marine Park boundary from shore varies between 1 and 3km depending on the slope of the sea bottom. Within the Marine Park are two well defined and actively managed reserves in which no fishing and anchoring are allowed to protect pristine coral reef. The reserves were established to conserve marine biodiversity, restore fish stocks and promote sustainable tourism.
The coral reefs of Statia are extremely varied in morphology, having developed on the remains of an extinct volcano (Boven area) and dormant volcano (Quill). A high biodiversity and over 50% coral cover have been recorded in the Marine Park Reserves. Furthermore, since establishment of the Park, the number of fish species at certain sites has increased ten fold. Living amongst the pristine reefs are a host of tropical reef creatures, including Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Flying Gurnard, Moray Eels, Spotted Drums, Frogfish, Sea Horses, Lobster, Rays, Sharks and Turtles. Divers may hear the calls of Dolphins and Whales as they pass through the Marine Park. Statia, and surrounding islands, are located in the middle of a major breeding area that hosts migrating Humpback Whales during winter months (January-April). Humpbacks have been observed as close as 100m from the shore and a favourite viewpoint is the Lookout at the Botanical Garden.
Regular Marine Park activities include maintenance of 32 dive site moorings and 12 yacht moorings, patrols of the marine reserves, weekly snorkel club and junior ranger clubs, nightly patrols during turtle nesting season, and research and monitoring.

Ecosystems:

• Coral reefs – on a variety of volcanic substrates including bombs, lava blocks and solidified lava flows shaped like ‘fingers’. A distinctive spur and groove zone, a series of alternating rocky fingers and sandy channels, has formed along the drop off zone in the southern reserve. A third reef type has formed on the remains of wrecks, both old and new, dating from the 1700s to 2004.
  

Threatened, endangered, endemic species:

• Turtles (species)
  Juvenile turtles are frequently seen while diving and snorkelling the coral reefs and wrecks around Statia, especially during night dives. The most commonly observed species are the hawksbill and the green turtle. These species, along with the leatherback and possibly the loggerhead, also use the island’s beaches for nesting.
  
  The Marine Park established a Turtle Conservation Programme in 2002 with the aim of promoting the long-term survival of the endangered sea turtle populations of Statia through research and education. Nightly monitoring of beaches occurs throughout the nesting season and all turtles encountered are measured and tagged. Community activities help raise local awareness of turtle conservation issues.
  
  All our turtles are protected by local and international laws so please do not touch or disturb them while diving. Volunteers are always welcomed on turtle patrols – just ask at the National Parks office for details.

Internationally recognition

• National Park status pending (application made October 2004)

Legal status: legally protected (Marine Environment Ordinance A.B. 1996 Nr.03)

Vision and goals:

• Vision: Preserve the underwater flora and fauna. Co-ordinate commercial, educational, recreational and research activities within the Park
• Goal(s): Conserve marine biodiversity, restore fish stocks and promote sustainable tourism

Site Management

Visitation: 1600 divers / year

Management body: St Eustatius National Parks Foundation (STENAPA)

Type of management structure: Co-management

Main challenges:

• Development pressure
  
• Presence of oil terminal
  

Does a management plan exist? Yes

Main stakeholders:

• Fishermen
  
• Tourists

Listing of current/recent research activities:

Contact Information:
Manager: Nicole Esteban
Address: Gallows Bay, St Eustatius.
Phone: +599.318.2884
Email: semp@goldenrocknet.com
Website: www.statiapark.org