Man of War Shoal Marine Park, Mullet Pond to form Part of Submission for St. Maarten
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams met with the Man and Biosphere Committee tasked with establishing a Biosphere Reserve for St. Maarten. Prime Minister Wescot-Williams met with Committee Chairperson and Secretary General for UNESCO St. Maarten Marcelia Henry and Committee Members Fleur Hermanides, Claire Hooft-Graafland and Tadzio Bervoets in order to discuss the way forward in establishing a Man and Biosphere Reserve for St. Maarten. Also part of the committee but unable to attend was Rueben Thompson.
The Man And Biosphere Program develops the basis within the natural and social sciences for the rational and sustainable use and conservation of the resources of the country and for the improvement of the overall relationship between people and their environment. It predicts the consequences of today's actions on tomorrow's world and thereby increases the community's ability to efficiently manage natural resources for the well-being of both human populations and the environment.
By focusing on sites internationally recognized within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, the MAB Program strives to identify and assess the changes in the biosphere resulting from human and natural activities and the effects of these changes on humans and the environment, in particular in the context of climate change; study and compare the dynamic interrelationships between natural/near-natural ecosystems and socio-economic processes, in particular in the context of accelerated loss of biological and cultural diversity with unexpected consequences that impact the ability of ecosystems to continue to provide services critical for human well-being; ensure basic human welfare and a livable environment in the context of rapid urbanization and energy consumption as drivers of environmental change; and promote the exchange and transfer of knowledge on environmental problems and solutions, and to foster environmental education for sustainable development.
During the discussions it was decided to focus on the listing of the Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area and Mullet Pond for a proposal to be listed with perhaps also Fort Amsterdam being part of the submission. The areas were chosen based on the existing commitment from Government to protect the areas and the ongoing management activities thereof. The committee will be presenting the Man and Biosphere Project to the Council of Ministers within short.
From the Cabinet of the Prime Minister
