CEP Technical Report No. 36 1996

CEP Technical Report No. 36 1996: Status of Protected Area Systems in the Wider Caribbean Region
Country Profiles

IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY	No. of Protected Areas (PAs)	PAs with Marine or Coastal Zones	Extension
Category I	0	0	0
Category II	1	1	250
Category III	0	0	0
Category IV	0	0	0
Category V	0	0	0
Categories VI-VIII	0	0	0
Biosphere Reserves	0	0	0
World Heritage Sites	0	0	0
Ramsar Sites	0	0	0
Total (1)	1	1	250

(1) Totals have been adjusted to avoid double counting areas that are classified in 2 or more categories.

In the National Development Plan 1983, the Physical Development Plan 1983, amended 1986, and the Barbados report to the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED 1992), the government has articulated a commitment to environmental conservation, including plans for a system of parks and protected areas throughout the island incorporating both terrestrial and marine systems (St. Hill, pers. comm., 1992).

In 1981, the government stated in its policy that a new park would be created at Graeme Hall Swamp, an important bird habitat. However, the project has been delayed on economic grounds (UNEP/IUCN 1988, Wilson 1984). Scott and Carbonell (1986) note that this is the only wetland of its type in Barbados, and as a relatively unspoiled wetland ecosystem in a heavily populated island the swamp has great potential for educational purposes. The swamp also contains the only mangrove stand on Barbados.

The Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) Act of 1 March 1976 provides for the preservation and protection of coastal and marine areas, while permitting recreational and scientific activities. There is also a Wild Birds' Protection Act, 1907 which was revised in 1979.

Two pieces of legislation establishing Barbados Marine Reserve were gazetted on 16 February 1981. The Designation of Restricted Areas Order, 1981 established the boundaries of the underwater park, while the Marine Areas (Preservation and Enhancement) (Barbados Marine Reserve) Regulation, 1981 created four zones within the park (scientific zone, two water sports zones and a recreational zone). A second site, Harrison's Cave, is also protected by legislation (St. Hill, pers. comm., 1992).

Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region (Cartagena Convention, 1983)

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, 1973)

Caribbean Environment Programme (CEP, 1981) and its Specially Protected Areas & Wildlife Programme (SPAW, 1990)

The National Conservation Commission is the statutory body responsible for management of the natural environment. Its functions range from conservation of natural and cultural features to the management of public recreation areas, which includes advice to the Minister on these issues. The Commission was created in 1982 through an amalgamation of the Parks and Beaches Commission (established in 1970) with the Caves Authority (established in 1977). Overall responsibility for administering Barbados Marine Reserve, all public recreation areas, beaches and caves rests with the Commission, with day-to-day running of the marine reserve being the responsibility of the Park Naturalist and his staff.

An Environmental Unit has been established within the Ministry of Labour, Consumer Affairs and the Environment to co-ordinate environmental planning, research, education and policy. The unit is also the focal point for environmental matters between Barbados and regional and international agencies. The Environmental Unit is currently developing a national conservation strategy with assistance from World Conservation Union (IUCN) and the Caribbean Conservation Association (CCA) (St. Hill, pers. comm., 1992). A Coastal Conservation Project Unit has been responsible for Coastal Zone Management and advising the planning authority has been operating as a project for last 10 years. It has been absorbed into the Ministry of Environment.

Private organisations with an interest in the environment include the Barbados National Trust, created in 1961. Although much of the Trust's efforts are directed toward preserving sites of historical and architectural interest. It also supports the preservation of the natural environment and was instrumental in revision of the Schedule to the Wild Birds' Protection Act in 1979. The Trust owns and manages Welchman Hall Gully, a half mile cleft in the limestone cap which supports both native and introduced flora.

Other organisations include the Barbados Environmental Association, established in 1987, which aims to stimulate interest in environmental issues, create an awareness of the need for conservation and natural resource management, conducts research, and is engaged in other environmental activities which benefit the public.

The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), formerly the Eastern Caribbean Natural Area Management Programme (ECNAMP), is a not-for-profit organisation whose goal is to strengthen local capacity to manage living natural resources critical to development in the Caribbean region (Putney and Renard, n.d.). Collaborative ventures between the CCA and the Institute include an ICOD (Canadian International Centre for Ocean Development) supported marine parks Programme, and the Caribbean Heritage Programme for institutional development in support of the region's natural heritage at national and regional levels (Anon. 1989).

Barbados is a small, relatively flat island, with a maximum elevation of 330 m, although a ridge runs in a north-south direction slightly below this altitude for several kilometres. The island is part of the Lesser Antilles and is located in the North Equatorial Current, 475 km north of South America, within the Atlantic Antillean sub-province (Cotter 1982).

The natural vegetation over most of the island originally comprised drought-tolerant forest and shrubs, developing into tropical forest in the moister, sheltered regions. However, native vegetation is now more or less confined to a few small patches in the hills, and along the exposed east coast which has remained relatively undeveloped (Scott and Carbonell 1986). Much of the island is under cultivation, sugar cane being an important crop, and a well-developed road system means that few areas are inaccessible.

The Barbados Marine Reserve, located off Holetown on the west coast of Barbados, is the country's only established protected area. It covers a wide range of marine habitats including two distinct reef types, large sandy bays and deep silty environments. Major threats to the reserve are caused by polluted outflows from Holetown River, by high tourist pressure, and by the lack of regulations enforcement (UNEP/IUCN 1988). Generalised problems with the management of natural resources are discussed by Wilson (1984) and include beach erosion, threat of oil spillage and land development.

van't Hof (1993) reported that management capacity in the Reserve had suffered serious decline due to an inadequate organisational structure and the lack of funding and training. Additional impacts are caused by inadequate anchoring of dive boats and species loss due to over fishing. Conflicts between the fishing community, tour operators, and park visitors over resource use have not been resolved.

For several years discussion has continued on the establishment of a national park on the north and east coast of the island and encompassing Scotland District. A comprehensive review of the area, including its physical features, outstanding scenic viewpoints, and ecological characteristics, was conducted during 1981 on behalf of the National Trust. Subsequent work on planning, institutional framework and policy development (Pennington 1983) led to a range of detailed recommendations on the establishment and management of the proposed park.

The boundaries of the park, as proposed by Pennington, have recently been accepted with the passage of the Physical Development Plan (1986). The government has also reactivated proceedings towards the official designation and development of the national park as a pilot project under the National Conservation Strategy, which is being formulated and executed by the Environmental Unit and IUCN. The next major step will be the development of a detailed sector plan for the area scheduled to be completed by mid-1992 (Wilson, pers. comm., 1992).

The Environmental Unit, Ministry of Labour, Consumer Affairs and the Environment, Marine House, Hastings, ST. MICHAEL Fax: (246) 426-8959

Barbados National Trust, Ronald Tree House, 10th Avenue, Belleville, ST MICHAEL Telephone: (246) 426-2421

Caribbean Conservation Association, Savannah Lodge, The Garrison, ST. MICHAEL Telephone: (246) 426-5373 (246) 426-9635; Fax: (246) 429-8483

Ministry of Health and the Environment, Sir Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St. Michael. Telephone: (246) 431-7663 (246) 431-7680 to 9 Fax: (246) 437-8859

Anon. (1989) Eastern Caribbean natural area management programme Annual report 1988. Eastern Caribbean Natural Area Management Programme, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. 17 pp.

Pennington, N.C. (1983) Barbados National Park. A report prepared for the government of Barbados on proposals for national park on the north and east coasts. Unpublished. 10 pp.

Putney, A. and Renard, Y. (n.d.) Working to strengthen human capacity to manage living natural resources critical to development. Caribbean Natural Resources Institute, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and Vieux Fort, St. Lucia.

Scott, D.A. and Carbonell, M. (1986) Directory of Neotropical wetlands. IUCN, Cambridge and IWRB, Slimbridge, UK. 684 pp.

St Hill, Y. (1985) You and your environment: An introduction to the Folkstone underwater park. Government Printing Office, Barbados. 20 pp.

UNEP/IUCN (1988) Coral Reefs of the World. Volume 1: Atlantic and Eastern Pacific. UNEP Regional Seas Directories and Bibliographies. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK/UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya. 373 pp.

Wilson, C. (1984) Barbados. In: Wood, J. (Ed.), Proceedings of the workshop on biosphere reserves and other protected areas for sustainable) development of small Caribbean islands. USDI, National Park Service, Atlanta. 190 pp.

Definitions of protected area designations, as legislated, together with authorities responsible for their administration.

Brief description: Provides for the preservation and protection of coastal and marine areas, while permitting recreational and scientific activities.

Marine Reserve Prohibited activities include destroying or disturbing any plant or animal or aspect of the physical environment; injuring any bottom growth formation; discharging any waste materials into the water; using spearguns, hooks, lines, traps, explosives or other devices to catch fish; using speedboats, sail boats or jet skis, except in designated areas; carrying sand away from the beach; capturing turtles or their eggs on the shore; and depositing refuse or any offensive matter on the beach or in the sea.

Name of area	IUCN & National Mgmt. Categories		Presence of Marine or Coastal Zones	Area ha	Year Established
Barbados Marine Reserve	II	MR	YES	250	1980