The St. Maarten Nature Foundation announces that as of Monday, the 23rd of January 2012, visitors to the Man of War Shoal Marine Park will have to pay a Nature Fee to be able to enter the Park. Based on the Ministerial Decree of the Minister TEATT on the designation of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park of December 30th 2010, and based on the Ministerial Appointment of the Nature Foundation August 15th 2011 (Bestuurscontract mbt Minister en Nature Foundation St. Maarten) and in accordance with the Landsbesluit Maritiem Beheer (LBMB 2007) and the St. Maarten Nature Conservation Ordinance (AB 2003) all non-resident visitors to the Marine Park have to pay a Nature Conservation Fee. This fee will be collected by the Nature Foundation and will go directly towards the management and maintenance of the Man of War Shoal Marine Park and other Dive Sites in the territorial Waters of St. Maarten.
The fees are set at three dollars US ($3,-) for a daily pass and fifteen dollars US ($15,-) for a yearly pass. Residents are exempt from paying this fee. "This fee is for non-residents and visitors to the island. The Marine Park was established for the people of St. Maarten so we feel that they should not have to pay this fee. After lengthy negotiations and consultations with all Stakeholders, including a survey which was distributed to visiting divers we were able to arrive at a fee which was mutually accepted by all," commented Tadzio Bervoets, Nature Foundation Marine Park Manager. The Nature Conservation fee is similar to fees which are charged for the use of Marine Parks throughout the region and the world.
Dive Centres on both sides of the island have been given the Nature Tags and are cooperating to facilitate the selling of the tags. The revenue generated through the sales of the tags will be dedicated to the Management of Marine Park infrastructure and educational programs related to the Man of War Shoals Marine Park and St. Maarten's unique underwater environment. For more information one can contact the Nature Foundation at 5444267 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
