Government

Government News

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Tourism on Bonaire--Study Being Done to Determine its Worth

It’s clear to all that Bonaire’s economy is driven by tourism.  Both cruise and diving tourists provide employment and income for the people of the island. Of course, the activities of these tourists have an impact on our island, which can be both positive as well as negative. In addition to increased employment and income, a positive aspect includes a liveliness on the island and the possibilities for doing business that translate into economic growth for Bonaire. However, the impact on nature and the noise and congestion in and around Kralendijk can be negative aspects of tourism. Therefore, a new research project was launched last week to measure the overall effectiveness and the positive and negative aspects of tourism.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation/CN, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, the Vrije Universiteit van Amsterdam, the Universiteit van Wageningen, Marine Positive, and consultancy office WKICS are all working together on this project, funded by The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation.

The project begins with Bonaire’s tourism experts, with representatives from Bonhata, Bonaire Hospitality Group, and CURO, who will oversee an “experience survey” that will be given to 1200 Bonaire visitors, asking them to evaluate how they experience Bonaire. Both cruise and stay-over visitors leaving the island will be asked to participate in this study. Concurrently, additional focus will be spent investigating the effect of tourism on Bonaire’s nature. A third study will survey Bonaire’s private sector to garner their opinions on this important subject.

The results of this project are to be used to provide policymakers with the correct information and analyses. Based upon the gathered information, Bonaire will be better able to manage its future tourism development and the long-term contribution to the industry and the prosperity of the island will be optimized.  (Source:  Rijksdienst CN)

Monday, October 31, 2011

Queen Beatrix and the Prince of Orange, Willem Alexander, Complete State Visit to Bonaire

Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, her son, Willem Alexander, Prince of Orange, and his wife, Princess Maxima, completed a whirlwind visit to Bonaire today.  They spent their time on Bonaire, their first state visit since Bonaire became a special municipality of The Netherlands, touring facilities with a special emphasis on education, social services, and Bonaire’s nature.

The Bonaire Insider caught up with the royal entourage at the Mangrove Info & Activity Center at Lac, where the Queen and her son explored the island’s important mangrove forests.  Upon arrival at the center, the entourage was welcomed by Elsmarie Beukenboom (director of STINAPA) and Elly Albers (director of the Mangrove Info & Activity Center).  After a short presentation, the group was then escorted out to the mangrove area, where they took to the water in the center’s solar-powered touring boats.  While on the water, Kalli de Meyer, director of DCNA (Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance) explained the importance of the mangrove ecology and how this area serves as the nursery area for many of the species of marine life that visitors see today on Bonaire’s reefs.  During the tour, Lac’s uniqueness was explained, its RAMSAR and IBA status, some of the threats and challenges for management, as well as the excellent work
being done to protect the bay and restore conch population via the IUCN NL/Lottery funded conch project.

The Queen expressed her gratitude to the parks and DCNA for the outstanding work in protecting nature on the islands. Her Majesty explained that this is why she took the unprecedented step of becoming a patron.

As always, the Queen and Prince Willem Alexander were gracious, exhibiting a keen interest in this facet of Bonaire’s nature.  View images of their visit to the Mangrove Info & Activity Center on the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Monday, October 10, 2011

Bonaire to Host Workshop for the Dutch Caribbean’s Nature Policy

On Thursday, October 13th, 2011, the first workshop for the formulation of a Nature Policy Plan for the Dutch Caribbean will be held on Bonaire. The main stakeholders of Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Bonaire in the area of nature conservation and protection will come together to discuss the structure and content of this policy.

As the basis for the workshop, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I) evaluated the nature policy of the Netherlands Antilles of the past ten years. That evaluation is now complete and it will serve as the basis for establishing the structure of a new nature policy for the Dutch Caribbean for the next five years.  At the next workshop, the rough structure of the policy will be discussed and developed further. The result will then be further developed in close consultation with all stakeholders into a complete nature policy. The definitive nature policy will then be presented to the Minister of EL&I who is responsible for establishing it.

The formulation of a five-year nature policy for the Dutch Caribbean is a legal obligation which is based on the Law of Principle of Nature Management and Protection BES. This law requires for the nature policy to contain at least the achievable objectives concerning nature and the landscape. It should also include the priorities that should be addressed in the field of nature and the landscape, the conservation of values that should be taken into consideration, and a list of national parks (both on land and at sea) that consist of nature parks established by Island Ordinance or Ministerial Decree. (Source:  Rijksdienst)

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Bonaire Maritime Day, 2011 Will be Celebrated on Sunday, September 25, 2011

This Sunday, September 25, 2011, will be a special treat for those visitors lucky enough to be on Bonaire, when the government of Bonaire, along with the Coast Guard and Marina Real will hold an open house where there will be spectacular demonstrations of military maneuvers on the sea, in the air, and on the ground, in practice for what might be needed some day.

Planes, helicopters, and boats will be on hand to simulate marine emergencies and to give the people of Bonaire an idea of what is involved should the need for crisis management ever occur.

All are invited to watch the events of the day, which will occur along the oceanfront promenade in Kralendijk from the morning through 5:00 PM in the area from La Guernica Restaurant to Fort Oranje.  In preparation for the event, the oceanfront promenade will be closed to traffic beginning at 8:00 on September 24th and throughout the following day.  Also, in Wilhelmina Park there will be stands where drinks and local handcrafts will be available for purchase, and music will be playing.  (Source:  Island Government)

Sunday, September 04, 2011

Bonaire Day 2011 Will Be Celebrated Tuesday, September 6 in North Salina

Bonaire’s flag day is celebrated each year on September 6th, and the festivities rotate into different barrios, or neighborhoods, every year.  This year’s celebration will be held in North Salina on this coming Tuesday.

This year’s theme is “Maintaining Identity” and the holiday commemorates the day way back in 1499 when Amerigo Vespucci first set foot on Bonaire.  Bonaire Day is an important day for all Bonaireans, as it’s a time when the local culture and way of life can be renewed and celebrated.

This year the events kick off at 10:00 AM and will continue throughout the day and evening.  All are invited to attend.  A program of the day’s events is available by clicking here (in PDF format, in Papiamentu) and the cultural program is available by clicking here (also in PDF, in Papiamentu.)

Those visiting Bonaire should also know that Tuesday is a legal holiday and many establishments will be closed for the day.  (Source:  Island Government)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

The 2011 Wounded Warriors are Honored by Bonaire’s Lt. Governor Glenn Thode

Lt. Governor Glenn Thode and his wife hosted a reception at their home Wednesday evening to honor and salute this year’s contingent of Wounded Warriors--David, Gloria, Thomas, Ryan, Garth, Tasha, and Thomas.  View images of the evening’s reception by clicking here.

In a Bonairean tradition for visiting Wounded Warriors, the Bonaire Bikers provided an escort from Captain Don’s Habitat to the Lt. Governor’s residence.  After their arrival in parade fashion, Lt. Governor Thode warmly greeted the warriors, their spouses and family, and welcomed each of them to his home.

The reception is a time when many of the event’s sponsors get the opportunity to meet and speak with the warriors and their families and extend to them their thanks for all they have done.  Many of the warriors shrug off the thanks--to them, it’s a job which just has to be done!

In Lt. Governor Thode’s speech, he informed those present that, over the years, he has been so impressed with the Wounded Warrior project that he has been in contact with Queen Beatrix in Holland, as well as Parliament, to see if a similar program can be started for those Dutch military personnel who find themselves in similar circumstances.  He eloquently expressed his hope that, one day, Bonaire can host a contingent from the U.S. and one from Holland, so that they may all get the opportunity to meet each other.

Then, each warrior received a certificate, medal, Bonaire flag pin, and key-chain to commemorate their time on Bonaire.  They were each bestowed with the status of honorary Bonaire ambassadors.  These men and women will be ideal ambassadors to spread the word about Bonaire and its close ties to the United States and all those who visit from there.

The evening ended with one of Bonaire’s dance groups providing entertainment by presenting a variety of traditional Antillean folkloric dances.

Today and tomorrow will be the warriors’ final full days to enjoy the island, as they will depart on Saturday for their homes.

(Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Bonaire Hosts the Caribbean Wetlands Initiative

Last week, the island hosted an august group of individuals representing 16 countries in the region for the Caribbean Wetlands Initiative, which originates from the treaty for the protection of wetlands, also known as the Ramsar Convention.

This important regional meeting was taking place on Bonaire thanks to the efforts of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I), the Ministry Caribbean Netherlands, and also in cooperation with the Public Body Bonaire. During the conference, discussions focused upon the protection of internationally important wetlands and the various activities in this field in the Caribbean region.  The conference’s purpose was to come up with a strategy for a larger focus in the Caribbean area on such protections, in combination with a priority list and a budget for the next two years. Such efforts in the protection of wetlands is very important for Bonaire, as the island has five wetlands of international importance, also named Ramsar areas.

There are currently 1947 Ramsar areas worldwide. Since 1980, the Dutch Kingdom is a party of this treaty to which 160 countries are currently associated. Six Ramsar areas were designated in the former Netherlands Antilles, of which five are located on Bonaire (Lac, Pekelmeer with Flamingo Sanctuary, Goto, Slagbaai, and Klein Bonaire) and one is located on Aruba. For the size of Bonaire, it holds as many Ramsar sites as do larger islands in the region, such as Jamaica or the Dominican Republic.  Only Cuba, with six sites, outranks Bonaire.

Bonaire has also played an important role with the legal interpretation of the obligations in the Ramsar Treaty. In connection with a planned development right next to the Lac, the Council of State in The Netherlands eventually determined that resolutions adopted by the parties of the Ramsar Convention are binding for the parties and the development was halted.

The Treaty for Wetlands of International Importance or Ramsar Convention was concluded by numerous countries throughout the world in 1971 in the Iranian city Ramsar. At that time, the treaty was particularly meant to protect birds in wetlands of international importance. The convention compels the governments to protect the areas and to give the importance to the nature in the areas by providing preference over designation for human interests, allowing only “wise use.” Other animals and plants were also added to the convention over time. The concept of what constituted a wetlands was also expanded to include shallow sea areas and coral reefs. The Ramsar convention requests the participating countries to identify their wetlands of international importance and register them as Ramsar sites. (Source:  Island Government)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Bonaire’s First Waste Water Treatment Plant Begins Operation

Last week a vacuum truck delivered the first shipment of waste water to Bonaire’s new waste water treatment plant. The treatment plant was built over the last few months on the grounds of LVV, which is the department of agriculture, breeding and fisheries and was constructed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment. Management will eventually be taken over by the government of Bonaire. The purification of waste water is crucial for the health of the residents of Bonaire and the protection of the coral reef. 

The waste water treatment plant is the first of two which will be built on Bonaire. This plant is processing waste water from cesspools and septic tanks, which is delivered by vacuum trucks. In the past, the waste water was deposited in the ditches and soil at LVV and was considered to be a polluting and unhygienic treatment option.

The new plant can process 478,000 liters of waste water per day and at full capacity, will remove 350 kilograms of biological pollution, 74 kilograms of nitrogen and 65 kilograms of phosphate, on a daily basis. The purification process occurs gradually and takes approximately three months when functioning properly.

The plant is currently operating a test run, monitored by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and the Curacao engineering and architectural firm M.I.C. M.I.C. has supervised the construction of the plant and trained staff to run the facility.

A second waste water treatment facility is currently being built, also at LVV. This plant will process waste water delivered via a sewage system, and is expected to be operational in 2013.

Water arriving at the plant will be checked for undesirable substances which can affect the purification process, including oils, fats, chemicals and excessive salt water. Residents of Bonaire will be educated about what types of products should not be deposited into the sewage system. Rejected waste water will be discharged into ditches at LVV, with the goal to keep rejected water to minimum. By September, if the purification process is going as planned, there will be little discharge into the ditches. The clean water will be used for cultivation.

The intention of the plant is to remove waste water from the developed coastal area to the treatment plant. The seawater around Bonaire currently contains twice as many nutrients than a few decades ago. Nutrients originate from waste water and seep through the soil and groundwater and eventually into the sea, resulting in excess algae growth and harm to corals. Excessive nutrients in seawater are unhealthy for natural balance in the water and the resulting growth in bacteria can be harmful to humans. (Source: Rijksdienst Caribish Nederland)

Monday, October 25, 2010

New Entry Requirements for Long Term Visitors to Bonaire

The Bonaire Insider was recently informed that there are new immigration rules that apply to long-term or frequent visitors to the Dutch Caribbean (the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba) that are in effect immediately.

The new immigration policies allow for a maximum stay of three months in a six-month period. The Insider has been informed that the time is calculated from the date of arrival on the island, not on a calendar year basis. For those visitors who require a visa, the allowed timeframe on the visa will take precedence.

Dutch citizens living outside of the Dutch Caribbean, including those in the Netherlands, Curacao, St. Maarten and Aruba, are allowed to stay up to six months in a twelve month period. The time is calculated from date of arrival on the island, not on a calendar year basis. Those who wish to work or stay longer will have to apply for a “Declaration by Right” permit. Furthermore, if a Dutch citizen or his/her parents, was born on Bonaire, Saba or St. Eustatius, this rule does not apply. Also Dutch citizens living and registered on Bonaire, Saba, or St. Eustatius before October 10, 2009 are not subject to this rule. Therefore everyone who registered after October 10, 2009 must apply for a residence permit. (Source: Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland)

Sunday, October 10, 2010

It’s Official--Bonaire is Now Part of The Netherlands

At the stroke of midnight last night, all those on Bonaire said farewell to the Netherlands Antilles, and then welcomed Holland, as Bonaire, along with its sister islands, St. Eustatius and Saba, is now part of Holland as a special municipality and the three islands are to be officially called the Dutch Caribbean.

Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix, sent a telegram to all those on Bonaire, welcoming us into Holland.  She wrote,

“To the residents of Bonaire:  Today you, the residents of Bonaire, will become part of the Dutch polity. I would like to express my deeply felt solidarity with you and wish you all happiness and prosperity.  Beatrix”

(View her original telegram in PDF form by clicking here.)

There are a number of festivities throughout the day to herald in our new political status, but one of the more popular ones will be the opening of a new exhibit at Kas di Arte with opportunities to meet and converse with the artists, as well as receive lessons in painting.  The exhibit is titled, “The Kingdom of The Netherlands:  Union in Diversity,” and it will run through October 31st, 2010. 

Artists from Holland, Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire will be showcased and the artwork focuses upon this new day and its significance for all on Bonaire.  Participating artists are from outside Bonaire are Gustave Nouel of Aruba/Holland, Johannes Boekhoudt of Costa Rica/Bonaire, Elvis Tromp of Aruba, Edmond Tujeehut of Aruba, Frank Croes of Aruba, Wine Fransen of Holland, Ad Rooymans of Holland, Harald Vlugt of Holland, Yubi Kirindongo of Curacao, Ruben La Cruz of Curacao/Holland, and Karolien Helweg of Holland.

Local artists from Bonaire include Nochi Coffie, Henk Roozendaal, Frans Booi, Renate van der Bijl, Christel Cosijn, Sra. Verhoef, Manuela Winklaar, Jake Richter, and Sedney Marten.

Even KLM is getting in on the festivities by celebrating its long-standing relationship with the Antilles.  This past Thursday, KLM celebrated its 91st anniversary, and, as is customary, they introduced a new Delftware house.  This 91st house in the KLM collection will be the Dutch Antilles House in The Hague.  In replicating the Dutch Antilles House, KLM hopes to reinforce its historically strong ties with the Dutch Caribbean as it was way back on December 15, 1934, when KLM operated its first transatlantic flight to Curaçao with the Fokker F-XVIII “Snip.” KLM has been dishing out Delftware houses on board since the 1950s. The houses are replicas of exceptional buildings in the Netherlands and the number of houses in the collection has corresponded with KLM’s age since 1994. A new house has been added to the collection each year thereafter on October 7th. The houses are presented to passengers traveling in World Business Class on intercontinental flights, and are considered collectibles by many on Bonaire.

Congratulations, Bonaire!  (Source:  Her Majesty, Queen Beatrix, Kas di Arte, and KLM)