Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) meets in St. Maarten

With great regret the DCNA board bade farewell to its Chair of five years, Nicole Esteban, who is leaving the islands for personal reasons and is thus no longer able to function as Chair. The board decided unanimously to retain Mrs. Esteban’s great experience at least to some extent by establishing a Council of Advisors to DCNA and appointing her honorary president of this council. Mrs. Esteban is succeeded by Luis Santine who was unanimously elected as the new Chair of DCNA. Mr. Santine is one of two DCNA board members selected specifically for their financial expertise to help direct the management of DCNA’s trust fund. Mr. Santine is currently CEO of the Dutch Caribbean Securities Exchange N.V. (DCSX), Director of the Curaçao International Financial Services Association (CIFA), member of the General Court of Audit of the Netherlands Antilles (ARNA), and Vice-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of AMFO. In his private life he is an avid diver and member of the Reef Care Curaçao coral reef monitoring volunteer group. DCNA is extremely lucky to have found in him a committed nature conservationist willing to invest a significant amount of his time to help guide the future development of DCNA.

Caribbean Countries Take Action to Protect the Marine Environment from Garbage

Decisive action by the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) at its 60th Session (22 to 26 March 2010), has resulted in the adoption of a resolution prohibiting the discharge of all garbage by ships in the Wider Caribbean Region as of 1 May 2011.

With the adoption of an MEPC resolution establishing 1 May 2011 as the date on which the MARPOL 73/78 Annex V (Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships) Special Area regulations take effect in the Wider Caribbean, this region becomes the 6th zone to be protected against the discharge of all garbage from ships, other than organic materials under certain conditions (based on distance from shore and particle size). Others include the Baltic Sea (effective since October 1989), the North Sea (February 1991), the Antarctic area (south of latitude 60 degrees south) (March 1992), the "Gulfs" area (August 2008) and the Mediterranean Sea (May 2009). The entry into force of the Special Area status in the Black and Red Seas, which have also been designated under the Annex V, is not yet effective.

Although the effective date is approximately one year from today, MEPC still calls on Governments and Industry to comply with the Special Area requirements as soon as possible.

The adoption of the resolution follows the notification at the same MEPC session by 22 Caribbean Parties to the MARPOL 73/78 Convention that sufficient adequate reception facilities for garbage are provided in most relevant ports within the region.
In the Wider Caribbean Region, 25 Countries are Parties to MARPOL and its Annex V. This Annex prohibits the discharge of all plastics, but allows, under certain conditions, for the discharge of other types of garbage (e.g. dunnage, paper, lining, metal, etc.), unless in designated Special Areas.

MEPC, recognizing the sensitivity of the Wider Caribbean Region (by assessing its specificities, such as the oceanography, the undersea topography, the interconnectedness of the area’s ecosystems and the shipping traffic in the region), designated the region as a Special Area under Annex V in 1991. However, due to a lack of capacity and an absence of notifications to IMO of the location of adequate reception facilities, the status had yet to become effective.

The Wider Caribbean Region contains 28 coastal and insular Countries that have coasts (may it be overseas territories) on the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and part of the Atlantic Ocean. It covers an area of more than 3.3 million km2, from the United States of America to French Guiana. The region’s highly productive but extremely sensitive ecosystems provide a livelihood for many coastal communities (tourism, artisanal and industrial fisheries, sea bed exploitation) and more than 41 million people live within 10 km of the coastline.

Garbage in the marine environment poses several issues, whether environmental or socio-economic. It can damage habitats, cause the death of wildlife, but also impact the quality of life of local communities and affect the economies of a region, notably by its consequences on tourism. A study conducted by UNEP assessed that litter from ocean-based sources of pollution (such as fishing nets, gear and supplies, ropes, etc.) accounted for at least 11% of all marine litter in our region. And this does not even include garbage that could have been disposed of from ships but was considered to originate from land-based sources (e.g. glass, metal, paper)!

According to Gaëtan Coatanroch, an IMO Consultant based at RAC/REMPEITC, the adoption of the IMO resolution shows “a strong commitment by the Parties to sustainably develop the region and decrease maritime pollution.” He also added that this is a very timely move, as maritime traffic is expected to continue to dramatically increase in the Caribbean region with the expansion of the Panama Canal. Currently, it is estimated that approximately 40 per cent of the world’s commerce passes within a day and a half sailing time of Key West, Florida.

A concern linked to this entry into force is the availability of information regarding the location of port reception facilities in the region. The Caribbean Countries now have one year to populate IMO’s database, the Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS). Assistance is already planned, and a joint UNEP-IMO regional workshop addressing this matter will be held in Panama in May 2010. Subsequently, the few Parties that do not have yet adequate reception facilities have undertaken to find alternatives arrangements (which includes forming agreements with neighboring countries), and install them as soon as feasible.

Chris Corbin, UNEP CAR/RCU’s Programme Officer for Pollution Prevention, congratulated the Countries for their collaboration on this matter, but also stressed the importance of having the entry into force as soon as possible of the related pollution control agreement for Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution, the LBS Protocol ,. This will further assist efforts to tackle the problem of solid waste and marine litter in the region. Corbin further noted that UNEP, IMO and RAC/REMPEITC will continue to implement activities on marine and land-based sources of pollution, and to assist countries in complying with regional and international agreements’ requirements for the protection of the coastal and marine environment of the Wider Caribbean.



LIONFISH INVASION CONTINUES UNABATED ON CURAÇAO AND BONAIRE - 06/01/2010

Since the first confirmed sighting at Watamula on October 27, 2009, the lionfish count on Curaçao is now at 21 (twenty one). The first reports were of 2 inch juvenile fish but now, two months later, 5 inch fish are being reported, so they appear to be growing fast. Reports have ranged from Watamula in the west to Jan Thiel in the east all along the leeward side of the island. They are presumably also present on the windward coast but there is very little diving there and they would go unnoticed. The first lionfish report on Bonaire came in on October 26 and more than 35 have now been reported.

On Bonaire the National Marine Park is working with the dive shops to respond to the lionfish threat. On Curaçao the Agriculture and Fisheries Service (LVV), Carmabi and Reef Care Curaçao recently sat together to join forces to combat this alien fish species that has been shown to devour up to 80% of the young fish that settle on the reefs. Without any natural enemies, resistant against diseases, and with prey fish that don’t even recognize these fish for the voracious predators they are, lionfish can be expected to be disastrous to the already stressed reef ecosystem, unless we do something about it.

The lionfish are here to stay; there is no way to eradicate them from our waters. These fish live down to 500 ft depths and even if it were possible to kill every one of them down to those depths, new ones would continue to come in with the ocean currents. So, what can be done then? Both Bonaire (more than 35 sightings since Oct. 26) and Curaçao are in the unique position of potentially being able to keep the lionfish effectively in check to a certain extent. Both islands are small, fringed by a narrow reef zone and visited by large numbers of divers. Many dive sites are visited often by enough divers to spot most lionfish coming into those areas. A concerted effort by dive shops and diving community can keep those dive sites clear of lionfish, making them into something like a reserve, an oasis where the regular reef fish can live and grow without being decimated by lionfish.

To be really effective an all-out effort by everyone in the dive community is needed. It will need to be an ongoing effort that cannot stop. Everyone needs to be convinced that killing these invaders is really necessary, never mind that they are such beautiful fish. We humans have shown that we can effectively eradicate fish such as groupers that are much harder to catch than lionfish; let’s put those ‘skills’ to good use for once! Besides, lionfish are very good to eat once they get bigger.

If we can do this and keep it up we can set an example for the whole of the Caribbean. The mostly lionfish free areas will also provide perfect research opportunities to study the effects of lionfish on the Caribbean reef system.

Reef Care, LVV, and Carmabi are working together to coordinate this effort and to ensure the best use of all resources. Reef Care Curaçao has ordered clear vinyl nets that are best suited to catch lionfish. Those nets are expected to arrive by the end of January and will be distributed to dive shops so they will have them ready when a lionfish is spotted. Meanwhile we are asking all dive shops to have all dive masters and instructors carry with them a piece of bright flagging tape. When a lionfish is sighted the exact spot can be marked by tying a piece of flagging tape to a rock or dead coral. Lionfish stay in the same spot for long periods of time so you can go back to the marked spot with the nets later to kill or catch it (a long-handled BBQ fork can be used to kill them for now).
All local divers are also asked to carry a piece of flagging tape with them on their dives to mark the spot of any lionfish they see and then contact either a dive shop or one of the numbers below to report the place and depth so someone can come and catch it.

All lionfish that have been caught or killed should be put into separate Ziploc bags, with location and depth written on it with marker pen, and then put into the freezer. Notify Carmabi, Reef Care or LVV to come pick it up. It is important that we get the dead lionfish so their DNA and stomach contents can be studied to learn more about them. Reef Care is putting together a Lionfish package consisting of nets, flagging tape, sharpie pen and ziploc bags, available for dive shops on request.

To report lionfish sightings please send an e-mail to Paul Hoetjes (paul@mina.vomil.an) and Mark Vermeij (carmabilog@gmail.com). Please include the site and depth where it was found, its estimated size, whether it was killed or collected, or if the spot was marked. You can also call or send a text message to Paul Hoetjes at 511-7061 or Mark Vermeij 510-3067. The data will be added to a database of all the sightings.



DCNA CONCLUDES MEETING IN CURACAO - 06/01/2010

Last week the board of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) met on Curaçao. The participants were welcomed by Governor Goedgedrag who opened the meeting and invited the participants to Fort Amsterdam for the regular get-together of the Governor’s Cabinet after the meeting. The main focus of the meeting was the issues faced by the Parks of the islands, the possible solutions and potential obstacles. Another important topic was the communication plan aimed at creating awareness in Holland on the great biodiversity that is present in the overseas parts of the Kingdom. Linked to this is the expectation of the Dutch Postcode Lottery that DCNA will provide exposure for the Lottery in return for their financial support. The Postcode Lottery this year accepted DCNA as one of its beneficiaries, providing half a million Euro as yearly financial support for DCNA’s trust fund.

The DCNA board meets twice a year, bringing together the park managers of all the Dutch Caribbean islands including Aruba, as well as two independent financial experts and a former Dutch parliamentary leader, to discuss ongoing affairs. The Secretariat of DCNA runs the activities of DCNA that come out of a five year strategic plan and yearly action plans. The main task of DCNA is to fundraise for its trust fund that in ten years time is intended to provide stable and secure funding from its revenues for all the parks. Another important objective of DCNA is to help the parks with capacity building and training; Funders like to see that their money is well spent on capable and effective nature management organizations. In order to be able to effectively fundraise, particularly in the Netherlands, it is essential that the Dutch public understands that the Kingdom of the Netherlands includes a treasure trove of biodiversity in its smallest and most vulnerable overseas parts, where it is at risk and needs careful management.

DCNA has developed a comprehensive communication plan to build awareness in the Netherlands of overseas biodiversity, targeting Dutch nature lovers using the help of its Dutch Partner organizations, which include all the major nature conservation organizations in the Netherlands. The communication plan also takes into account the fact that DCNA was granted beneficiary status of the Postcode Lottery this year, which brings with it the expectation of a lot of communication efforts showcasing this relationship with the Lottery.

In light of the upcoming constitutional changes DCNA is making an inventory of the work of the parks on behalf of the island governments, the issues facing the parks in accomplishing those tasks, and possible solutions and obstacles that could stand in the way of those solutions. At the same time the research and monitoring needs required by international conventions and treaties to protect biodiversity are being identified. DCNA will use this information to present concrete and specific recommendations with regard to the process of constitutional change and to show what will be needed to ensure adequate compliance of international agreements by all the future new entities.

Since board meetings of DCNA require a lot of traveling among the islands, the board decided that for each meeting measures would be taken to offset CO¬2 production. For this meeting the board visited the Christoffel Park to symbolically plant the first 25 trees of a total of 125 native trees purchased by DCNA to be planted there.



MARINE MAMMAL STRANDING RESPONSE WORKSHOP - 13/11/2009
Dutch Caribbean islands discuss optimum response to marine mammal strandings.

From Nov. 5-7 a three day training workshop took place on Curaçao about how to respond and what measures to take when whales or dolphins are found stranded. The workshop was attended by participants from all the Dutch Caribbean islands (including Aruba) representing both NGOs and government departments that would likely be involved in marine mammal strandings. The participants also included a number of experts from the USA, such as the chairman of the US Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), the national stranding coordinator from NOAA/NMFS, representatives from the Smithsonian Institution and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, as well as a representative of the Regional Activity Center (RAC) of the SPAW (Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife) Protocol of which both the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are parties. The workshop was organized by the SCCN (Southern Caribbean Cetacean Network) in cooperation with the Eastern Caribbean Cetacean Network (ECCN), and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), with financial support from the US Marine Mammal Commission (MMC), and hosted by the Sea Aquarium/Dolphin Academy Curaçao. NOAA/NMFS donated its field guide for strandings, “Marine Mammals Ashore” for all the workshop’s participants. This workshop is part of the activities coming out of the Marine Mammal Action Plan (MMAP) for the Wider Caribbean, recently adopted by the SPAW Protocol.

The workshop was all the more relevant considering the recent stranding of a pilot whale at Jan Thiel Bay some four months ago now. The participants were able to take a look at this real-life stranding case, even though this was not a typical case, since in 90% of stranding cases the animal in question is either dead or dying and cannot be saved. The participants were even there during the first real attempt to release the pilot whale with a passing group of pilot whales, but regrettably this attempt failed.

The objective of the workshop was to set up a response mechanism for strandings ensuring that everyone is prepared as well as possible and knows what to do when a dolphin or whale stranding happens. Even when the animal in question cannot be saved or has been dead for a while, the incident can still greatly benefit our understanding of marine mammals in our region and can provide clues to determine the cause of the stranding. The USA has been organizing the response in cases of strandings for over 30 years already, through its Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program under NOAA/NMFS, and various tools, regulations, and guidelines have been developed, analogous to oil spill emergency response plans. These regulations were developed not in the last place to safeguard the health of both public and rescuers, since marine mammal diseases can be contagious to humans. In addition criteria were developed to enable quick decisions as to what is feasible or not when the animal is still alive. When one animal is stranded things are relatively easy, but when twenty or fifty whales strand simultaneously (as has happened on St. Maarten a few years back), or when a fifty feet long, thirty ton decomposing whale washes ashore on a public beach, quick and effective action is essential. NOAA offered it’s assistance to the islands and looks forward to future cooperation.

The participants were all very positive about the workshop. They were very happy about the possibility of working with the other islands in the future and exchanging data. “When a stranding happens you often feel powerless and are forced to take hard decisions on your own. It is a lonely feeling. Now, I feel I can fall back on others” said one of the participants. Another participant commented on the usefulness of what he had learned: “we learned what to look at, how to use various indications to deduce how the animal died. For example how to recognize scars from monofilament fishing line when the line itself is gone, or how to distinguish the deep cuts caused by propellers from similar cuts from sharp rocks. We also learned to tell whether an animal drowned or not. You know CSI, that television series? We are now Stranding Scene Investigators!”

The workshop participants agreed to set up a structured response mechanism on their island when they get back, and get the approval and endorsement of the island government for that. The participants also committed to start a focused program of collecting whale and dolphin sightings, where possible documented with photographs that can help identify the individual animals, so they can be recognized when they subsequently show up at another island. The islands agreed to cooperate and exchange their findings and data by way of a sub-regional network that would in turn connect with other (future) sub-regional networks such as the Eastern Caribbean Cetacean Network (ECCN). A stranding response tool kit will be put together and provided to each of the islands. Further training will take place in the future and each island will regularly refresh the stranding response training. Finally the workshop agreed that designation of a marine mammal sanctuary in Dutch Caribbean waters should be pursued in conjunction with the existing ‘sister sanctuaries’ of the Dominican Republic and the US and the French initiative to establish a marine mammal sanctuary around the French islands.



SCCN - SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN CETACEAN NETWORK ESTABLISHED - 09/06/2009
Research and Protection of Whales and Dolphins
“Preserving whales and dolphins….. Protecting our seas, protecting ourselves.”

• Mr. George Kieffer, Director of Dolphins and Programs at the Dolphin Academy/Sea Aquarium and marine biologist, as President.


• Mrs. Tone Moller, Director of Commerce for the Avila Hotel Curacao, and an enthusiastic supporter of education about whales and dolphins, as Treasurer


• Ms. Iñez Hallewas, Operational Manager for Dolphin Academy, as Secretary


• Mr. Gerard van Buurt, biologist and a former head of the Fisheries Sector, Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Curacao. He is an experienced all-round conservationist who has also published material on the reptiles and amphibians of the region, including sea turtles. As general board member


• Dr. Dana Wetzel, head of the Aquatic Toxicology Program at Mote Marine Laboratory. She is a chemist and seeks to determine what effects toxic substances have on marine life.

MINA supports the SCCN goals and will provide advice to the fledgling foundation. John Reynolds has also agreed to provide independent advice.

SCCN's website (http://www.sccnetwork.org) is currently under development.

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¹)The SPAW Protocol is one of three protocols of the Convention for the protection and development of the marine environment of the Wider Caribbean (the Cartagena Convention), which is the legal instrument of the Caribbean Environment Program, one of the Regional Seas Programs of the UNEP. The other two protocols of the Cartagena Convention are the Oil Spill protocol and the Land Based Sources of Marine Pollution (LBS) Protocol.



DCNA BOARD MEETING ON SABA - 09/06/2009