"The eleventh hour has come and gone, and the establishment of the Marine Park as the island's first and only protected area is a large step in protecting our Natural Resources," - Former Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Franklyn Myers.
The area within the Man of War Shoal Marine Park in St. Maarten is one of the island's most ecologically and economically valuable marine environments. The area is home to extensive coral reefs and seagrass beds, and it serves as a migratory stop or spawning ground for over 100 endangered or red-listed species.
The Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area is St. Maarten's first and only protected area (marine or terrestrial), and represents a major step toward marine environmental protection. Within both the park and the territorial waters of St. Maarten, sharks and marine mammals are protected, allowing for the preservation of the area's rich biodiversity. A well-established educational component has trained over 40 community members as rangers, and has worked to support the livelihoods of fishermen through sustainable management practices.
What makes it bright?
- Properly managed and maintained MPA protects biodiversity and conserves valuable marine resources
- Focuses on the natural capital (economic goods and services) provided by the local ecosystem
Additional Partners: Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and World Resources Institute
Location: St. Maarten
Focal Point: Tadzio Bervoets (St. Maarten Nature Foundation)