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Friday 8 November 2019

Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba:
Parke Marino Aruba enters transition phase

For the community in gener-
al, as well as for the specific
stakeholders, it is important
to know that no change in
usage of the marine pro-
tected areas has yet been
imposed. However, nation-
al laws remain enforced
throughout the marine
environment, i.e. concern-
ing protected species and
specific fishing methods. A
change that will be visible
from the onset is the in-
creased presence of FPNA
marine park rangers in the
marine protected areas as coasts. Job vacancies will building up the marine park
well as along the adjoining also be posted as to start team.q
ORANJESTAD — Fundacion Parke Nacional Aruba (FPNA)
recently presented the Preliminary Marine Park Man-
agement Plan to the Minister of Spatial Development,
Infrastructure and Environment (MinROIM) and the com-
munity at large. As of April 2019, when the marine park
was officially brought under the management of FPNA,
the nature conservation and management foundation
started developing a management plan for the four new
marine protected areas for the initial first two years – a
period of transition.

During this two-year transition period, the priority will be
on six focal areas:

1. Stakeholder consultations: FPNA will meet with all ma-
rine park stakeholders to establish together the princi-
ple usages of these now protected areas and discuss
conservation benefits and alternative usages to the
benefit of both conservation and stakeholders.
2. Operational expansion: FPNA will develop facilities
and acquire equipment accordingly as well as take
on dedicated personnel to be able to carry out the
necessary marine management tasks.
3. Awareness: FPNA will develop a communications
plan during the two-year transition period and will
commence with informing and educating the com-
munity and visitors on the importance of marine pro-
tected areas and their conservation.
4. Research: baseline data on Aruba’s nature (status),
including the marine environment, is generally lack-
ing. This kind of information is necessary for manage-
ment decision-making and designing effective con-
servation programs and actions. FPNA will not only be
initiating applied marine research, but will also con-
sult with stakeholders and our senior community for
supplementary qualitative data.
5. Promotion: the four marine protected areas will be
used to develop sustainable usage and effective
protection methods, and will serve as an example of
collaborative efforts in marine conservation.
6. Sustainable financing: effective operations and suc-
cessful marine park management is dependent on
sustainable financing. Hence, an important focus will
be on the crucial development of the marine park
funding base for the long term.