St Eustatius National Marine Park

All marine habitat from the high tide level out to the depth of 30 m is legally designated as the St. Eustatius National Marine Park by means of the St. Eustatius Marine Environmental Ordinance (AB 1996, No. 3). The total surface area of the marine park is 27.5 km². The park is managed by STENAPA (St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation, which also manages two terrestrial parks on the island. Inside the St. Eustatius marine park two reserves have been designated in which no fishing or anchoring is allowed.  Habitats include coral reefs (drop off walls, volcanic ‘fingers’ and ‘bombs’, spur and groove systems), 18th century shipwrecks and artificial reefs. The island’s marine environment is home, migratory stop over or breeding site for 4 IUCN Red List Species, 10 CITES Appendix I species and 98 Appendix II species.

There have been several surveys done over the years and reports have been produced on these studies:

Sufficient for the needs of St. Eustatius National Marine Park:

Tide tables: Internet and GPS

GIS: Maps produced 2009

Baseline habitat maps

Socio-economic valuation: Total Economic Value of Nature on St. Eustatius

The local recreational and cultural value of nature on St. Eustatius

The Tourism Value of Nature on St. Eustatius

Mapping the Economic Value of Ecosystems on St. Eustatius

Status of commercially important species (conch, lobster)

Effectiveness of no-take reserves

Not available:

Maps of currents

Species lists

Status of endangered, threatened and endemic species

Bathymetric maps

Digital Satellite Images

All available publications (listed below) can be downloaded from the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database: www.dcbd.nl