Bonaire National Marine Park - MANAGEMENT

The mission of the Bonaire National Marine Park (BNMP) is to protect and manage the island’s natural, cultural and historical resources, while allowing ecologically sustainable use, for the benefit of future generations.

The size of the Marine Park in itself presents a challenge. It includes all the waters surrounding Bonaire and Klein Bonaire, from the high-tide mark to 60 meters (200 feet) of depth. This includes Lac and Lagun, the harbor, as well as the two marinas. The BNMP has also been responsible for the island of Klein Bonaire since 2001.

The primary challenge of managing the Bonaire National Marine Park, though, is dealing with the varied groups and individuals who use the Park, and enabling their sustainable use of natural resources. BNMP staffers work with government departments, divers, boaters, fishermen, businesspeople, homeowners, contractors and other diverse groups who have, in some cases, nothing in common but their relationship to the Marine Park.

The BNMP has existed since 1979. It has had consistent management since 1991. The challenges to managing the ecosystems that form the BNMP are dramatically increasing as the economy of Bonaire has grown in the past years. The Management Plan (preamble & contents, part 1, part 2, part 3 & 4) was developed for the purpose of guiding BNMP staff through the difficult and at times even frustrating moments, of managing a park with such a wide variety of users and individuals, each with their own agenda. It helps the management to stay focused.

Our main categories of Management responsibility include:

• Law enforcement
• Maintenance
• Research and monitoring
• Education
• Advisory