Statia Marine Park acquires National Park status

Oranjestad- The St. Eustatius National Parks Association (STENAPA) on Monday, December 03, 2007 launched a week long programme of activities to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the St. Eustatius Marine Park and the Official Opening of the new STENAPA Visitor Center in Lower Town. During this ceremony President of the Board, Mr. Irving Brown and Parks Manager, Mrs. Nicole Esteban, were presented with a plaque by Mr.Paul Hoetjes, Director of the Federal Department of Environment announcing the National Park status of the Statia Marine Park. Park officials were also presented with a copy of the November 27th, 2007 Federal Decree confirming National Park status for the St. Eustatius Marine Park.With this new Federal Decree St. Eustatius has become the first island of the Dutch Caribbean with two National Parks. In 1998 The Quill/Boven National Park became the first national land park in the Dutch Caribbean.

Her Excellency, Acting Governor General of the Netherlands Antilles, Mrs. Adele Paulina van der Pluijm-Vrede, delivered the keynote address. Following her address, in which she strongly urged Statians to take good care of their island and its resources, the Act. Governor General joined STENAPA's President, Mr. Irving Brown, in the unveiling of the new Visitor Center sign.

In his address Statia's Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Julian Woodley, commended STENAPA for their consistent and invaluable contributions to environmental management and conservation. "On this your 10th Anniversary, we can truly say STEANAPA has laid the foundation for the development of sustainable tourism". Commissioner Woodley acknowledged there is more Government can do to facilitate the work of STENAPA. "I acknowledge Government must now seek to implement existing policies and laws to deal with ongoing littering and illegal dumping of construction and household waste. Implementation of the laws must go hand in hand with public awareness. By doing this we would be contributing in a positive and holistic way to sound environmental management and sustainable development". The Commissioner also thanked the dive sector for their contributions to the growth of tourism in St. Eustatius.

A contingent of kingdom, federal and island government representatives were in attendance. These included among others Governor of St. Eustatius, Mr. Hyden Gittens, Drs. de Maan Senior Policy Worker of Dutch Representation Office in Willemstad, Drs. van Toorn, Senior Policy Worker, Dutch Representation Office in Philipsburg, Mrs. Kali de Meyer. Executive Director of Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance, Mr. Boekel and Ing. Rood of the Department of Physical Planning and Environment. The Golden Rock Song was sung by 13 year old Urisha Blake while the invocation was done by Reverend Dr. Joan Delsol Meade of the Methodist congregation.

For more information visit www.statiapark.org

Photo by: Lynn Kennedy