Saba Bank National 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 stable stable Panulirus argus Lutjanus buccanella, L. vivanus, Rhomboplites aurorubens, Epinephelus spp., Balistes vetula all of the Saba Bank semi-industrial artisanal fisheries of lobster and red snapper. Indications of overfishing, but management is starting in 2012 and regulations are already in place
Exploitation of natural ressources: Agriculture limited not specified not specified N.A.
Exploitation of natural ressources: Tourism limited unknown increase coral reef Area not yet used for dive-tourism except sporadically, this may change in the future with more facilities and good management
Exploitation of natural ressources: Industry limited not specified not specified N.A.
Exploitation of natural ressources: Forest products limited not specified not specified N.A.
Increased population limited stable stable far from land and free from coastal impacts
Invasive alien species very important increase unknown all fish and crustaceans coral reef and reefal areas lionfish are now entrenched on the Saba Bank, but no indications yet of densities. Control is impossible because of the large area and its remoteness. They will be monitored through incidental catches by lobster and fish traps
Pollution limited stable stable area is far from landbased sources of pollution.
Other very important decrease decrease bottom flora and fauna Anchoring by ships was major threat because of destruction of the bottom, but with a prohibition on anchoring this threat has now been removed. It will take a long time however, before destroyed bottom habitat and structure recovers.

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 stable stable there is only low level pelagic fishing outside the protected area, not likely to have any impact on the Saba Bank
Exploitation of natural ressources: Agriculture limited not specified not specified N.A.
Exploitation of natural ressources: Tourism limited stable stable no effects form tourism outside the area
Exploitation of natural ressources: Industry limited not specified not specified N.A.
Exploitation of natural ressources: Forest products limited not specified not specified N.A.
Increased population limited not specified not specified N.A.
Invasive alien species limited stable stable Pterois volitans/miles surrounding areas are presumably too deep for lionfish to colonize. However lionfish larvae from neighboring islands will continue to seed the population on the Saba bank
Pollution limited stable stable no land-based sources of pollution in the surrounding region are expected to have any effects. Pollution from maritime sources could be a threat in case of oil spills or other maritime accidents. Pollution borne by waters from the Orinoco river do reach the Saba Bank area and could conceivably have an impact
Other limited not specified not specified N.A.


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