Friday, September 17, 2010
Bonaire’s Executive Council Gives New Protection for Parrotfish, Sharks, Bats, and Cave Habitats
The Island Council of Bonaire recently adopted a list of animal and plant species that are protected on Bonaire and is part and parcel of the new nature ordinance which came into effect on September 1st, 2010. The list contains over sixty species of animals, as well as about the same number of plant species. The list applies only to Bonaire and complements the protection of species through international agreements.
In the region, some animals on Bonaire were protected by international treaties (parrots, sea turtles, dolphins, and whales, for example). These are species that are threatened with extinction either globally or regionally. With the newly effected nature ordinance, the Island Council has added protection for a number of local species, as these species otherwise would not have protection under regional or international treaties.
To assemble the list of protected species, the Island Council used the following conditions; species having protection should meet one or more of these critiera.
• Listing on the red list of threatened species by the World Conservation Union, IUCN category CR (Critically endangered), category EN (endangered), or category VU (vulnerable). This is apparent in a number of marine fish species.
• Endemic species and also rare, threatened, or those requiring protection for other considerations. This is apparent in the Sabal palm (kabana), the parakeet (prikichi) and witoogspotlijster (ChuChubi Spano).
• Locally threatened or rare. This applies to sharks, bats, ferns, orchids, and a number of species.
• Ecological importance (key species). This applies, for example, to corals, sharks, parrotfish, bats, mangroves, and seagrass areas.
• Species subject to high operating pressures, such as the conch.
• Tourism value (flagship species). For example, on Bonaire, the flamingo is a flagship species by this criterion, but also shark species.
• (Potential) collectible. Examples conch, orchids, and bolcactussen (Bushi).
• Species important to the maintenance of a habitat. It’s difficult to name individual species, so the entire group protected. This applies, for example, to corals, sharks, and bats.
The list also includes species that Bonaire has long protected, for example, conch, crabs, mangrove and seagrass habitats.
Additionally, the nature ordinance has designated certain imported animals as dangerous to local flora or fauna, such as the Boa constrictor, a snake from Aruba, the common lionfish, as well as the neem tree. These species have been identified as potentially harmful to Bonaire’s nature.
The “Data Protected Species” contains the full list of protected species. The data sheet is available from the Department of Information and Protocol, the Department of Environment and Nature DROB, or STINAPA. The information also appears on the government’s web site by clicking here. (Source: Island Government)
