St Eustatius National Marine Park

The seagrass beds around St Eustatius are dominated by the invasive (Halophila stipulacea) and native (Halophila decipiens) together with small amounts of Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) and banks of calcareous algae (Halimeda sp).

A number of different plant species live on the reef and sandy habitats, the most common being Encrusting fan-leaf algae (Lobophora variegata), and Dictyota sp. Mats of Red Algae grow in some areas. Seaweeds such as Sargassum and Green Feather Algae (Caulerpa sertulanoides) provide habitat and food for other animals.

All four Caribbean species of turtle can be found in Statia’s open water: confirmed sightings of Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricate), Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea), and an unconfirmed sighting of Loggerhead (Caretta caretta). A number of Cetaceans are regular visitors both to the reefs and the waters around St Eustatius, including; Baleen Whale Species (Balaenoptera sp.), Pilot Whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Dwarf Sperm Whales (Kogia simus), Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Gervais's Beaked Whales (Mesoplodon europaeus), Killer Whales (Orcinus orca), Melon-Headed Whales (Peponocephala electra), Sperm Whales (Physeter macrocephalus), Pantropical Spotted Dolphins (Stenella attenuate), Striped Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris), Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncates), Cuvier's Beaked Whales (Ziphius cavirostris). Manta Rays (Manta birostris) and Eagle Rays (Aetobatus narinari) also visit the Marine Park from Deeper waters.

There are a number of birds that live almost exclusively in the open ocean environment, using St Eustatius as a breeding ground or migratory stop over. These include Frigate Birds (Fregata magnificens), Red Billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus), Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri)

The populaton of Redbilled tropicbirds is estimated at 800 individuals with between 300 and 500 nesting pairs. Together with Saba the two islands account for more than half of the Caribbean population of redbilled tropicbirds.

Significant invertebrates in the seagrasses of St. Eustatius include Queen Conch (Strombus gigas), Cushion Stars (Oreaster reticulata), Sea Cucumber (Holothuria mexicana), Sea Urchins (Tripneustes venricosus, Lytechinus variegates, Meoma ventricosa).

The waters surrounding St. Eustatius are teeming with life. The coral reefs are home to many fish species including Fairy baslets (Gramma loreto), Angel fish (Holocanthus sp. and many others) Groupers, Triggerfish, Scorpion fish, Moray eels (e.g. Gymnothorax moringa), Wrasse and Chromis, Parrot fish and roaming shoals of Blue Tangs (Acanthurus coeruleus). In sandy areas Garden eels (Heteroconger halis), Peacock Flounder (Bothus lunatus), Stingrays (Dasyatis Americana) and  Flying Gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans) can all be seen. Near to the reefs in the blue water, Crevalle Jacks (Caranx hippos), Bar jacks (Caranx rubber), Shoals of Barracuda (Sphyraena sp.) shoals of up to 200 Horse-eye jacks (Caranx latus) and Wahoo (Acanthocybium solandri) meander looking to feed off the smaller reef fish.

In deeper areas, the coral communities are dominated by plate corals (Agaricia sp.), soft corals such as seafans and Wire Corals (Ellisella sp.). The main hard corals on shallower reefs include Mustard Hill Coral (Porites astreoides), Brain coral (Diploria sp.), various forms of Star coral (Montastrea sp.), Flower Coral (Eusmilia fastiagata), Maze Coral (Meandrina meandrites), Pillar Coral(Dendrogyra cylindrica) and the blade form of Fire Coral (Millepora complanata). Other coral species often found include Seafans, Seaplumes, gorgonians and Black coral (Antipathes sp.) at depths in excess of 20m, particularly at the drop off.

Aside from corals and fish, many other creatures inhabit the reef and other underwater habitats. These include a variety of sponges such as Giant Barrel Sponges (Xestospongia muta), Stove-pipe sponges (Aplysina archeri), Azure Vase Sponges (Callyspongia plicifera), Ball Sponges (Cinachyra sp.) and Elephant Ear Sponges (Agelas clathrodes). Countless other invertebrates inhabits the reefs such as Conch, Brittle stars, Magnificent Sea Urchin (Astropyga magnifica), Zooanthids, Crinoids,  Brittle stars, Cork Screw Anemones (Bartholomea annulata), Giant anemones (Condylactis gigantea), Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus argus), Pederson shrimp, Arrow Crab (Stenorhynchus seticornis), Decorator Crabs (Microphrys bicomuta) and nudibranchs such as the Lettuce Sea Slug (Tridachia crispate).

Caribbean Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus perezi) and Nurse Sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum). Seahorses (Hippocampus sp.) can also be seen clinging to gorgonians with their tails.