MARSEILLE, France:--- The Global Islands Partnership and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the European Overseas Program have recognized the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area as an Island Bright Spot, citing the park and the Nature Foundation as Championing the Global Aichi Targets and the key role of Islands as bright spots for marine biodiversity conservation. Aichi Targets have been set forth through the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) that address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society through reducing the direct pressures on biodiversity and the promoting of sustainable use. The Man of War Shoal Protected area was chosen based on demonstrated measurable success in advancing conservation of island marine biodiversity. A presentation was given on the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area, the Nature Foundation and Government's steps towards the establishment of the County's first protected area during the International Marine Protected Area's Congress in Marseille France.
The St. Maarten Nature Foundation recently attended the International Marine Protected Areas Congress where the organization held significant discussions with regards to St. Maarten's steps towards the establishment of a Marine Protected Area and the subsequent development and management of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area.
Despite being severely understaffed and underfunded and faced with issues related to poaching, climate change and coastal development, the Nature Foundation and the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area was able to show measured success since its establishment on the 30th of December 201o. Travel and accommodation for the Nature Foundation to the world's largest Marine Protected Areas Congress was made possible through the support of the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) and the World Wildlife Fund.
