Bonaire's Coral Reef Nominated as World Heritage Site

1. World Heritage Site Nomination for Bonaire Kalli De Meyer Kalli De Meyer Fundashon pa Bon Koral – Coral Resource Management Fundashon pa Bon Koral – Coral Resource Management Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

2. World Heritage Sites There are currently 730 World Heritage Sites worldwide: There are currently 730 World Heritage Sites worldwide: n 563 cultural sites n 563 cultural sites n 144 natural sites n 144 natural sites n 23 mixed cultural and natural sites n 23 mixed cultural and natural sites n 9 marine sites n 9 marine sites

3. Global Strategy

4. Caribbean Sites 1982 Old City of Havana - Cuba 1988 Trinidad and Valley of Ingenios - Cuba 1997 San Pedro de la Roca Caste, Satiago de Cuba - Cuba 1999 Vinales Valley - Cuba 2000 Archaeological landscape of first coffee plantations - Cuba 1990 Colonial city of Santo Domingo - D.R 1982 National Historic Park - Citadel, San Souci, Ramiers - Haiti 1999 Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park - St Kitts + Nevis 1997 Willemstad, inner city and harbour - Netherlands 2000 St Geroge and fortifications – Bermuda, UK 1983 La Fortaleza and San Juan historic site - Puerto Rico, USA 1996 Belize Barrier Reef System - Belize 1999 Desembarco del Granma National Park - Cuba 1997 Morne Trois Pitons National Park - Dominica 2000 Central Suriname Nature Reserve - Suriname

5. Global initiative u World Heritage Marine Biodiversity Workshop held in VietNam February 2002 u World Heritage Marine Biodiversity Workshop held in VietNam February 2002 u Identified 118 tropical marine sites for nomination u Identified 118 tropical marine sites for nomination u 17 marine areas in the Caribbean u 17 marine areas in the Caribbean u Southern Caribbean Island Group put on the “priority list” u Southern Caribbean Island Group put on the “priority list”

6. VietNam workshop 2002 “The workshop viewed this continental shelf cluster as highly important in terms of its biodiversity value. The area’s biodiversity importance lies in its high coral diversity relative to other areas in the region, population scale ecological attributes, and the particular qualities of Los Roques…”

7. International Workshop, Bonaire May 2003 May 2003 Delegates from: Delegates from: Curacao, Bonaire Curacao, Bonaire Netherlands Antilles Netherlands Antilles Venezuela Venezuela UNESCO UNESCO World Heritage Centre World Heritage Centre TNC / Kalli De Meyer TNC / Kalli De Meyer Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

8. Outcomes of workshop Name: Name: LAS ISLAS DEL CARIBE SUR Type: Marine Transboundary nomination Type: Marine Transboundary nomination Area: Curacao, Bonaire, Las Aves, Area: Curacao, Bonaire, Las Aves, Los Roques Los Roques Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

10. Comisión Nacional de Cooperación con la UNESCO(Venezuela) Comisión Nacional de Cooperación con la UNESCO(Venezuela) Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

11. Comisión Nacional de Cooperación con la UNESCO(Venezuela) Comisión Nacional de Cooperación con la UNESCO(Venezuela) Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

12. Outcomes of the workshop n Conservation International pledged to run a Rapid Assessment Protocol in 2003/4 in support of the nomination n Conservation International pledged to run a Rapid Assessment Protocol in 2003/4 in support of the nomination n The Nature Conservancy have pledged their support n The Nature Conservancy have pledged their support n Environmental Defense expressed keen interest and donated funds towards the next meeting n Environmental Defense expressed keen interest and donated funds towards the next meeting Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

13. Outcomes of the workshop Ongoing activities: Ongoing activities: n Brochure n Brochure n Web site ( www.islascaribe-sur.org ) n Web site ( www.islascaribe-sur.org ) n Publicity n Publicity n Discussion group n Discussion group n Tentative list application n Tentative list application Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

14. Islas del Caribe Sur What makes this Transboundary site special: What makes this Transboundary site special: n New ! n New ! F Only 2 other proposed marine transboundary nominations: F Only 2 other proposed marine transboundary nominations: F Galapagos – Cocos Islands seascape F Galapagos – Cocos Islands seascape F Pacific Line Islands (Kiribati, Cook Islds, Fr Polynesia) F Pacific Line Islands (Kiribati, Cook Islds, Fr Polynesia) n Unique area in the Caribbean n Unique area in the Caribbean Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

15. Islas del Caribe Sur What makes this Transboundary site special: What makes this Transboundary site special: n True oceanic islands n True oceanic islands n Deep water trench n Deep water trench n Biodiversity “hot spot” n Biodiversity “hot spot” n High endemism (especially in deep water) n High endemism (especially in deep water) Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

16. Comisión Nacional de Cooperación con la UNESCO (Venezuela) Comisión Nacional de Cooperación con la UNESCO (Venezuela) MARCO GEOTECTONICO Y GEOPOLITICO DE LOS ARCHIPIELAGOS LOS ROQUES (Parque Nacional ) y LAS AVES. Dr. H. Pérez Nieto. CNO MARCO GEOTECTONICO Y GEOPOLITICO DE LOS ARCHIPIELAGOS LOS ROQUES (Parque Nacional ) y LAS AVES. Dr. H. Pérez Nieto. CNO Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

17. Islas del Caribe Sur What makes this Transboundary site special: What makes this Transboundary site special: n Fringing coral reefs n Fringing coral reefs n Extensive seagrass – mangrove systems n Extensive seagrass – mangrove systems n Strong history of conservation n Strong history of conservation n Off shore component n Off shore component Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

18. Islas del Caribe Sur CHALLENGES: CHALLENGES: n Not been done before n Not been done before n Need to create bilateral agreements for co- operative conservation and management n Need to create bilateral agreements for co- operative conservation and management n Lack of similar “model” agreements n Lack of similar “model” agreements n Difficult political situation in Venezuela n Difficult political situation in Venezuela Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

19. Islas del Caribe Sur CHALLENGES: CHALLENGES: n Involves 3 countries: Antillean, Venezuelan and Netherlands / 5 governments n Involves 3 countries: Antillean, Venezuelan and Netherlands / 5 governments n Language and cultural barriers n Language and cultural barriers n Crosses several jurisdictions n Crosses several jurisdictions n Requires joint management body n Requires joint management body Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

20. Islas del Caribe Sur CHALLENGES for BONAIRE: CHALLENGES for BONAIRE: n Urgent solution needed for sewerage waste disposal n Urgent solution needed for sewerage waste disposal n Construction guidelines need to be implemented n Construction guidelines need to be implemented n Fish protected areas need to be established n Fish protected areas need to be established n BNMP needs to have a Management Plan n BNMP needs to have a Management Plan n Buffer areas (terrestrial and marine) need to be set up n Buffer areas (terrestrial and marine) need to be set up Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

21. Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

22. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n We are learning what marine life has always known … there are no barriers in the sea n We are learning what marine life has always known … there are no barriers in the sea n Transboundary species include: dolphin, turtle, conch and many species of fish n Transboundary species include: dolphin, turtle, conch and many species of fish Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

23. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n Underscores the importance of nature and culture to our islands n Underscores the importance of nature and culture to our islands n Elevates conservation (Bonaire would rank alongside the Galapagos and Great Barrier Reef) n Elevates conservation (Bonaire would rank alongside the Galapagos and Great Barrier Reef) n Tourism: inestimable value in marketing n Tourism: inestimable value in marketing Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

24. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n Underscores the importance of nature and culture to our islands n Underscores the importance of nature and culture to our islands n Elevates conservation (Bonaire would rank alongside the Galapagos and Great Barrier Reef) n Elevates conservation (Bonaire would rank alongside the Galapagos and Great Barrier Reef) n Tourism: inestimable value in marketing n Tourism: inestimable value in marketing Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

25. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n Underscores the importance of nature and culture to our islands n Underscores the importance of nature and culture to our islands n Elevates conservation (Bonaire would rank alongside the Galapagos and Great Barrier Reef) n Elevates conservation (Bonaire would rank alongside the Galapagos and Great Barrier Reef) n Tourism: inestimable value in marketing n Tourism: inestimable value in marketing Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

26. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n Gives us the impetus to do things we knew needed to be done n Gives us the impetus to do things we knew needed to be done F Fisheries Ordinance F Fisheries Ordinance F Nature legislation F Nature legislation F Extending BNMP to 12 mile zone F Extending BNMP to 12 mile zone F Establishing NTMRs F Establishing NTMRs Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

27. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n Protects traditional use: local fishing n Protects traditional use: local fishing n Allows us to share resources and knowledge with Venezuela n Allows us to share resources and knowledge with Venezuela n Enhances legal protection n Enhances legal protection Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

28. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n Protects traditional use: local fishing n Protects traditional use: local fishing n Allows us to share resources and knowledge with Venezuela n Allows us to share resources and knowledge with Venezuela n Enhances legal protection n Enhances legal protection Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

29. Islas del Caribe Sur BENEFITS for BONAIRE: BENEFITS for BONAIRE: n Protects traditional use: local fishing n Protects traditional use: local fishing n Allows us to share resources and knowledge with Venezuela n Allows us to share resources and knowledge with Venezuela n Enhances legal protection n Enhances legal protection F combating poaching, pollution, illegal fishing F combating poaching, pollution, illegal fishing Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

30. Islas del Caribe Sur Protecting our nature and culture for our children and our children’s children … Protecting our nature and culture for our children and our children’s children … Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur

31. Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur Transboundary UNESCO World Heritage nomination: Islas del Caribe Sur