Saba National Marine Park

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Chapter 3. SITE DESCRIPTION

f - Impacts and threats affecting the area

Impacts and threats within the area


Impact and threats level Evolution In the short term Evolution In the long term Species affected Habitats affected Description / comments
Exploitation of natural ressources: Fishing very important increase unknown Panulirus argus Lutjanus campechanus Ocyurus chrysurus Strombus gigas Acanthocybium solandri Coryphaena hippurus Thunnus sp. Coral reefs, seagrasses Medical students spearfishing as food prices are too high, recreaional fishing in the marine park at night, some collection and artisanal fishing. Commercial fishermen targetting the marine park
Exploitation of natural ressources: Agriculture limited unknown unknown - - -
Exploitation of natural ressources: Tourism limited unknown unknown - - Ver little impact on the natural resources directly.
Exploitation of natural ressources: Industry very important increase unknown - - See pollution
Exploitation of natural ressources: Forest products limited unknown unknown - - -
Increased population limited stable stable - - Little increase an impact.
Invasive alien species limited increase increase Most reef fish Coral reef Invasie predatory fauna; the Lionfish growing to 36cm in the MPA.
Pollution limited increase increase Coral reef organisms Coral reef Sedimentation Dump pollution (leachates; acids, heavy metals etc), unknown impact St Eustatius oil spill Run off from rock crusher in Fort Bay. Cleaning of commercial vessels in the Marine Park. Soil dumped on near he harbour, near Ladder Bay, 5000 truck loads of raw unstable soil dumped which is washing onto Tent reef. More on oil spills in Attachment 21.
Other limited unknown unknown - - -

Impacts and threats around the area


Impact and threats Level Evolution In the short term Evolution In the long term Species affected Habitats affected Description / comments
Exploitation of natural ressources: Fishing limited unknown unknown Panulirus argus Lutjanus campechanus Ocyurus chrysurus Strombus gigas Acanthocybium solandri Coryphaena hippurus Thunnus sp. - -
Exploitation of natural ressources: Agriculture limited unknown unknown - - -
Exploitation of natural ressources: Tourism limited stable stable - - -
Exploitation of natural ressources: Industry limited stable stable - - -
Exploitation of natural ressources: Forest products limited stable stable - - -
Increased population limited stable stable - - -
Invasive alien species very important unknown unknown - - Unknown effects on offshore ecosystems. There are invasive species on the island of Saba but this is not relevant to the Marine Park.
Pollution limited unknown unknown - - See pollution above. Difficult to differentiate sources of threats and stresses caused by threats within and outside the area.
Other limited unknown unknown - - -


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