The reefs and waters surrounding our islands are all
protected by Marine Parks. While some Park's rules are stricter than
others, the idea is to conserve our natural resources not to harass
you the diver.
In addition, CITES (the Convention on
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) has
severe penalties for the transportation of Turtle Shells, Conch Shells
and many other sea shells and corals.
General Marine Park Rules
Spearfishing, conch and turtle collection is
prohibited.
Do not take any corals, plants or animals, alive or
dead.
No historic artifacts may be removed.
Do not stand on corals - exercise proper buoyancy
control.
Do not anchor on coral or in no anchoring zones.
Do not litter.
We do ask that you comply with all Park rules so
that you, and your children, can enjoy the beauty of our tropical waters
for many years to come. While you are snorkeling or scuba diving, let
your motto be take only photographs and leave only bubbles.
The Nature Foundation of Sint Maarten
was established in January 1997. Its primary concern
is to protect nature, while in the process
strengthening its economical and educational value,
and potential of its natural resources. This will be
done through proper management, education, awareness
and protection. In 2012 the
Man of War Shoal Marine Park was officially
established by the government of St Maarten. The fee
for divers is $3 per day for diving within the park
or for use of any mooring provided by the Nature
Foundation and is collected by the dive centers.
Click here for the
map of the Dutch St Maarten Marine Park and its
dive sites.
The
Reserve Naturelle de St Martin was
founded in 1998. The French side Marine Park likes
to be notified in advance before you dive within the
Park. When you rent dive gear from The Scuba Shop,
we’ll send the park rangers an email telling them
you might be diving in the marine park for the
duration of your stay. Check out the
map of the French St Martin Marine Park on the
second page.
The Saba National Marine Park was
established in 1987 with the objective to preserve
and manage Saba's marine resources. The Marine Park
was not developed to repair a damaged environment
but rather to ensure the continued quality of an
extraordinary resource for the benefit and enjoyment
of everyone. The Marine Park circles the entire
island from the high-water mark to a depth of 60 m
(200 feet). The Marine Park Fee is $3 per dive.
The St
Eustatatius National Parks Foundation and Marine
Park (STENAPA) is defined as the
waters surrounding St Eustatius from the high water
mark to 30m depth contour. It was designated as
Statia Marine Park in 1997 with the objective of
conserving and managing the marine resources for the
benefit and enjoyment of the people and future
generations. Active management of the Marine Park
commenced in 1998. The Marine Park Fee for divers is
$6 per dive, or $24 for a 1 year pass.
St. Barths has joined its sister islands of the
Caribbean in their attempt to protect their marine
resources. The decree of creation of St. Barths' Marine Reserve was signed,
in Paris, on October 10, 1996 by the Prime Minister
of France and the French Minister of Environment.
The Marine Park Fee for divers is EUR 2 per dive
which can be paid in the Marine Park’s office in
Gustavia, next to the Harbour’s Office. They’re open
during the week in the mornings.
The
Department of Fisheries and Marine
Resources manages Anguilla's Marine
Parks System. Anguilla's marine and coastal
environments are among the island's most important
ecological and economic resources. The need to
conserve and protect the very habitat on which the
island relies is essential. There are currently 5
designated Marine Park areas around Anguilla and
it's surrounding islands.
